Tjoapack expands Dutch facility with automated bottle packaging line to boost OSD capacity

NETHERLANDS – Pharmaceutical contract packaging specialist Tjoapack has expanded its capabilities at its Etten-Leur facility with the installation of a new automated bottle packaging line designed to strengthen output, flexibility and speed-to-market for oral solid dose (OSD) products.

The new line features the Cremer Uhlmann IBC 50 system, a fully automated solution capable of processing up to 50 bottles per minute and handling a wide range of bottle shapes.

The system is compliant with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards and offers two key formats, bottles packed with leaflets enclosed in cartons, or booklets placed on top of bottles before final wrapping via a shrink tunnel.

The design enables rapid changeovers between configurations, allowing Tjoapack to support multiple client requirements without the need for separate machinery.

Geert Vleugels, General Manager of Tjoapack Netherlands, said the investment strengthens the company’s ability to deliver customised solutions.

“By introducing a line that supports multiple packaging configurations, we can better align our services with the diverse needs of our customers while maintaining the highest GMP standards,” he said.

“The flexibility this new line offers enables us to offer tailored solutions using a single, efficient setup, supporting our customers as their products and requirements evolve.”

The expansion forms part of a broader series of infrastructure and technology investments by Tjoapack across its global network.

Over the past two years, the company has ramped up its capabilities in cold-chain and injectable packaging, responding to rising demand for advanced biologics, temperature-sensitive therapies and high-value parenteral products.

In the US, Tjoapack has strengthened its sterile fill-finish services and introduced additional inspection and serialization technologies, aligning with regulatory pressures and increasing supply chain complexity.

The upgrade at Etten-Leur also comes amid heightened demand for OSD packaging flexibility worldwide.

With generic and specialty drug manufacturers accelerating launch cycles, CDMOs with agile lines capable of handling multiple SKUs, bottle sizes and regulatory documentation formats have become increasingly vital.

Automated systems such as the IBC 50 help reduce manual handling, minimize error rates, and improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), key performance indicators for high-volume pharmaceutical operations.

By expanding its packaging options and enhancing operational efficiency at its Dutch facility, Tjoapack is positioning itself to better support pharmaceutical clients navigating faster product introductions, evolving patient needs and tightening quality requirements across global markets.

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