Purac Biomaterials is investing $20 million in a 60,000-square-foot resorbable polymer production plant in Georgia. When operational in 2014, the facility--which is expected to create 30 jobs--will give Netherlands-based Purac a stronger foothold in the North American market for medical and pharmaceutical polymers.
The Dutch lactic acid manufacturer will use the facility--its first resorbable polymer plant in North America--to target U.S. medical and pharmaceutical companies. Purac sells the polymers to companies involved with controlled-release drug delivery systems and medical devices for work ranging from early-stage research to commercial-scale production.
"Together with our location in the Netherlands, this facility will enable us to further strengthen our leading role in biomedical polymers," said Purac Managing Director Menno Lammers. Purac has ties to Georgia through its parent company CSM, which operates two plants in Tucker. Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal leveraged these links to meet with CSM CEO Gerard Hoetmer on a trip to the Netherlands this year in a bid to secure the investment from Purac.
And after a bumper year for bioscience in Georgia--during which it saw a 29% rise in life science economic development projects--Purac has a growing pool of neighbors and potential clients. Georgia also benefits from Atlanta's transport links, and manufacturing costs that the state claims are 17% lower than elsewhere on the East or West coasts.
- here's the press release
- check out the Atlanta Business Chronicle article