Global compounder Americhem Inc. announced that it has completed expansion of its manufacturing facility in Ribe, Denmark, which now includes a clean compounding facility dedicated to medical-grade materials. Americhem said the expansion enhances its capabilities to meet increasing European healthcare industry demand for high-quality polymer materials.

The 1,394-square-meter (15,000-square-foot) facility will feature new production lines, quality control labs, offices, a customer meeting space, and common areas for staff. Capacity will increase by 5,000 tons annually, almost doubling capacity of the existing site. The new clean environment, coupled with ISO 13485:2016 certification obtained by Americhem in early 2023, enables the company to produce compounds that meet stringent medical device requirements. Additionally, a cleanroom assessment to the ISO 14644-1:2015 standard will be performed upon completion of the new production facility and once the first orders have been produced.

Americhem has the ability to fully compound materials such as PP, ABS, PA, PEEK, PC, TPE/TPU, EVA, and POM for gobal distribution.

The investment in Europe follows Americhem’s acquisition of Controlled Polymers A/S in 2020 as well as the expansion of its Morrisville, PA, facility in 2021. In April 2022, it launched Americhem Healthcare, a new business division specifically for medical device and healthcare OEMs.

The expanded site in Denmark will also serve as Americhem’s headquarters for the European region. Its global headquarters is in Cuyahoga Falls, OH.

Americhem sought to grow its European footprint to take advantage of projected double-digit growth in the European healthcare market through 2028. Maintaining a presence in Europe also allows it to keep pace with ever-changing requirements, such as REACH regulations, that are frequently revised and updated, said Americhem. Increasing requirements for sustainability compliance add an additional dimension to regulatory compliance, driving the need for further differentiation, said Barto DuPlessis, managing director for Europe.

The compounder said it will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the facility in Ribe at a later date.

Americhem operates seven manufacturing facilities throughout the United States as well as plants in India, China, and now Denmark.