Wacker Chemie opens biotech centre

Wacker Chemie has opened its biotechnology centre in the Sendling district of Munich, where it has been conducting basic research for over a century and, since the 1980s, also in biotechnology. This represents “a double-digit million-euro sum” investment.

The growth of the company’s biotechnology business strained the limits of its research capacities and the new centre has space for around 90 employees and advanced equipment over 1,500 m2 of lab space and 70 m2 of office space. CEO Christian Hartel said it “will allow us to concentrate and intensify our biotech research activities” to meet anticipated growth in the sector, while also helping to accelerate the R&D process.

The focus includes the production of proteins and nucleic acids for mRNA-based APIs, as well as fermentation for food and dietary supplement ingredients. The bioreactors range in size from a few ml to 200L.