Evonik invests EUR 80 million in Slovakia to expand biotechnology capabilities and strengthen sustainable pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing.
Evonik is significantly expanding its biotechnology capabilities by investing nearly EUR 80 million at its Fermas production site in Slovenská Lupca, Slovakia. This strategic investment is aimed at strengthening the company’s drug substance manufacturing operations by introducing advanced downstream fermentation technology. The new expansion will enhance Evonik’s contract manufacturing services for pharmaceutical ingredients and is expected to generate around 50 new employment opportunities at the site, further contributing to the local economy and industrial growth.
As the global pharmaceutical industry continues to witness increasing demand for complex and high-quality drug ingredients, Evonik is positioning itself to meet these needs through reliable, scalable, and environmentally sustainable production methods. According to Guido Skudlarek, head of Evonik’s Health Care business line, the strengthened biotechnology infrastructure will allow the company to better support customers by offering efficient manufacturing solutions for sophisticated pharmaceutical substances. This move reflects Evonik’s commitment to innovation and long-term growth in the healthcare and life sciences sectors.
This latest investment marks the second major financial commitment made by Evonik at the Slovenská Lupca facility in recent years. In 2022, the company began construction of its groundbreaking rhamnolipids production plant at the same location. That project represented a major step forward in sustainable specialty chemicals and highlighted the importance of industrial biotechnology in Evonik’s future plans. With the addition of new fermentation and downstream processing technologies, the Fermas site continues to strengthen its role as one of the company’s most important biotechnology hubs.
The Slovenská Lupca site has developed strong expertise in industrial biotechnology, particularly in biofermentation scale-up and downstream processing. These capabilities have made it a center of excellence within Evonik’s global operations. The continued expansion also creates valuable career opportunities for professionals such as biotechnologists, laboratory technicians, engineers, and other technical specialists. By building a strong talent base and investing in advanced production systems, Evonik is ensuring long-term operational excellence and regional development.
Biotechnological methods like fermentation are becoming increasingly important in modern manufacturing because they offer more sustainable alternatives to traditional chemical production processes. These methods help create what Evonik refers to as “Next Generation Solutions,” which are products and technologies designed to provide improved environmental performance compared to conventional options. This approach aligns closely with Evonik’s broader sustainability goals, helping reduce environmental impact while supporting innovation in healthcare, cosmetics, personal care, and other industries.
Miroslav Havlik, general manager of Evonik Fermas, emphasized the significance of the investment by stating that the Slovenská Lupca facility is playing an important role in helping leading global life science companies solve some of today’s major challenges. He noted that the project supports not only the future of sustainable healthcare and global well-being but also strengthens economic development in the surrounding region. His statement highlights the dual impact of the investment—both industrial and social.
Evonik Fermas has a long and successful history. Established in 1992 as a joint venture between Degussa AG and Biotika a.s., the company initially focused on producing amino acids for animal nutrition. In 1998, it became a fully owned subsidiary of Evonik and gradually expanded into fermentation-based manufacturing for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal care, and animal nutrition. In 2024, Evonik achieved a major industry milestone by becoming the first company in the world to produce industrial-scale rhamnolipid biosurfactants. Today, the Fermas site stands as one of Evonik’s leading biotechnology centers globally, representing innovation, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing excellence.
