Evonik is doubling down on biotechnology, committing around €80 million to a major expansion at its Fermas site in Slovenská Ľupča, Slovakia.

 

The move is set to sharpen the global speciality chemicals major's edge in the fast-growing market for complex pharmaceutical ingredients.

 

The investment will bring in cutting-edge downstream fermentation technology, strengthening the company’s contract manufacturing capabilities for drug substances. It is also expected to generate about 50 new jobs, signaling both industrial growth and a boost for the regional economy.

 

“With demand for complex pharmaceutical ingredients continuing to rise, our enhanced biotechnology capabilities will enable us to support customers with reliable, scalable, and sustainable production,” said Guido Skudlarek, head of the Health Care business line.

 

This marks Evonik’s second major investment at the site in recent years, following its 2022 push into rhamnolipid production—an industry-first at industrial scale. The Slovenská Ľupča facility has since evolved into a cornerstone of the company’s biotech ambitions, expanding its capacity in biofermentation scale-up and downstream processing.

 

The site is rapidly becoming a magnet for talent, offering roles for biotechnologists, engineers, and lab specialists, while reinforcing its status as a hub for advanced biotechnological manufacturing.

 

At the heart of the expansion is fermentation technology, a key driver behind so-called “Next Generation Solutions”—products designed to outperform conventional alternatives on sustainability. The move aligns with Evonik’s broader strategy to pair innovation with environmental responsibility.

 

“I am proud that our Slovenská Ľupča site is helping the world’s leading life science companies address some of today’s most pressing challenges,” said Miroslav Havlik, general manager of Evonik Fermas. “Our investment not only supports a more sustainable future for global health and care but also strengthens our region.”

 

Founded in 1992 and fully acquired by Evonik in 1998, Fermas has transformed from an amino acid producer into a diversified biotech powerhouse, serving industries from pharmaceuticals to personal care. In 2024, it hit a global milestone as the first company to produce rhamnolipid biosurfactants at industrial scale—cementing its place at the forefront of sustainable specialty chemicals.

 

With this latest investment, Evonik is sending a clear signal: the future of pharmaceuticals is biotech-driven—and it plans to lead.