SGD Pharma, a global leader in primary glass packaging for pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, has invested more than €20 million to upgrade its Zhanjiang plant in China. The refurbishment involves a complete rebuild of its furnace and comprehensive improvement of the plant’s facilities.

Using the most advanced design and technologies, this new furnace allows the Zhanjiang plant to increase capacity, improve energy performance and minimise energy consumption, reducing the Group’s carbon footprint in line with its environmental commitments and long-term decarbonisation roadmap. SGD Pharma’s objective is to reduce CO2 emissions from 2020 by 35% in 2030 and by 65% in 2040.

Alongside the furnace rebuild, production lines and inspection equipment at the plant have been upgraded to improve glass quality and production flexibility. The plant now offers feeder coloration and a range of coloured glass options to meet specific requirements, mainly for luxury beauty products.

Chunyan Zheng, Deputy General Manager at SGD Pharma Zhanjiang plant, said, “This significant investment allows us to improve the operational excellence of Zhanjiang plant making sure that we manufacture the best in quality to serve our customers worldwide."

Frédéric Barbier, General Manager of SGD Pharma BU APAC, adds, “SGD Pharma has been working with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) on the reduction of CO2 emissions and has developed a 1.5°C decarbonization pathway and target validation. Zhanjiang plant is a critical part of this ambitious decarbonisation plan."