Singapore-based DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals (DSP), a joint venture of Dutch chemicals and life sciences group DSM of the Netherlands and China’s Sinochem, is expanding production capacity at its plant in Delft , the Netherlands, up to the end of 2017 to meet growing demand for sustainably produced 7-ADCA, the key intermediate for cephalosporin active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Other APIs produced at Delft include cephalexin, cefadroxil and cefradine.

The Dutch-Chinese company said the expansion builds on its commitment to producing antibiotics sustainably in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It identifies irresponsible manufacturing as one of the key causes of resistance, due to the uncontrolled release of antibiotics into the environment.  In particular, it notes, waterways downstream of production facilities may contain significant concentrations of antimicrobial activity and risk becoming breeding grounds for resistance.

Upgrade plans at Delft include a new fermenter, which DSP said will use leading-edge technology that is energy efficient as well as environmentally friendly.  By its own account, it is the only remaining producer of 7-ADCA in the western hemisphere, in In the early 2000s having revolutionized the industry by introducing a new breakthrough process for sustainable high-quality production.

As “a leader in the sustainable production of β-lactam antibiotics,“ and one of 13 pharmaceutical industry signatories of the UN’S Industry Roadmap for Progress on Combating AMR, the company boasts of having implemented the cleanest production technology available and installed dedicated wastewater treatment plants. DSP said it also collaborates with industry partners, public and private stakeholders, associations, health professionals and regulators to clean up the supply chains.