Sharp Expands European Injectable Packaging Capacity With €20 million Investment

As the pharmaceutical landscape continues to shift toward biologic drug delivery, the technical requirements for secondary packaging and cold chain logistics have become increasingly complex. To address these demands, Sharp is expanding its infrastructure in Hamont-Achel, Belgium, and Heerenveen, The Netherlands, focusing on the assembly and packaging of injectable formats such as autoinjectors, pen devices, pre-filled syringes, and vials, according to a press release from the company (1). These expansions represent a significant shift in available regional capacity for the European market.

How is technical capacity evolving to meet injectable drug delivery requirements?

The modernization of these facilities reflects the growing need for specialized environments to handle sensitive injectable products (1). In the Netherlands, the expansion involves increasing good manufacturing practice (GMP) production capacity, which includes the installation of two Grade D packaging suites scheduled to be operational in 2026. These suites are designed to accommodate new vial packaging and syringe assembly programs, providing the necessary controlled environments for high-value biologics.

Simultaneously, the Belgian facility is undergoing a major transformation to resolve potential bottlenecks in storage and assembly (1). The project will quadruple existing cold-chain warehouse capacity and double the available ambient storage space. To further streamline the transition from development to market-scale production, a new syringe assembly and blister packaging suite is being added, with plans for further device assembly and packaging lines. For manufacturing leads, the integration of collaborative robot technology onto pre-filled syringe and autoinjector packaging lines is a notable development aimed at enhancing production efficiency and consistency.

Why do these infrastructure updates matter for long-term supply chain resilience?

Beyond immediate throughput, the expansion aligns with the industry's focus on sustainable manufacturing and reliable market entry within the European Union (1). The Belgian site has been upgraded with a carport solar system designed to supply 50% of the facility's electricity once it is fully commissioned in mid-2026. This focus on renewable energy allows pharmaceutical partners to meet internal sustainability targets while maintaining a robust supply chain.

Robert O’Beirn, managing director, Sharp Clinical & Sharp Europe, commented in a Sharp press release: “Our European facilities have a long-established reputation for successfully delivering the complex packaging services required for injectable drug formats. This investment represents a significant increase in our capacity to support our pharma clients, as sustainably as possible, with their injectable drug launches in the EU market” (1).

By increasing the scale of available GMP space and incorporating advanced automation, these upgrades provide a pathway for pharmaceutical developers to navigate the regulatory and logistical hurdles of launching injectable therapies. The combination of expanded cold storage and specialized assembly capacity ensures that the infrastructure can support the full lifecycle of complex drug delivery devices.

How is the investment part of Sharp’s larger plans?

In October 2025, Sharp announced plans to invest $100 million across its United States and European facilities to expand capacity for injectable and oral solid dose medications (2). This initiative addresses rising market demand for autoinjectors and pre-filled syringes through modernized assembly lines and sterile filling.

Technical infrastructure upgrades announced by Sharp at the time (2):

• Injectable Assembly: New packaging suites and automated lines are being established in Pennsylvania, Belgium, and the Netherlands to support complex delivery formats.

• Cold Chain & Storage: The facility in Belgium is quadrupling its cold storage capacity and doubling ambient storage to support sensitive biologics.

• Sterile Manufacturing: A new isolator-based filling line with lyophilization is being added in Massachusetts to increase sterile manufacturing throughput.

This expansion provides pharmaceutical developers with increased regional manufacturing capacity and sustainable production options for global commercial launches.

References

1. Sharp Services. Sharp Services Invests Over €20 Million to Expand Injectables Packaging Capacity at its European Facilities. Press Release. Jan 19, 2026.

2. Sharp Services. Sharp Services Invests $100 Million in US and European Facilities to Increase Capacity and Service Offerings. Press Release. Oct 22, 2025.