- Pfizer opens state-of-the-art high containment production plant in Freiburg, Germany.
- The plant utilizes Siemens technology and services for enhanced safety and sustainability.
- Building Services from Siemens Xcelerator portfolio monitor and control the special containment concept.
- Energy consumption for environmental control is reduced by 40% compared to traditional facilities.
- Seamless data exchange between production and visualisation systems enhances efficiency.
- The facility’s intelligent integration and control result in optimal production conditions and employee safety.
Innovative Containment Concept Ensures Safety and Sustainability
Pharmaceutical company Pfizer has inaugurated its high containment production manufacturing facility in Freiburg, Germany. The plant, which aims to produce up to seven billion tablets annually for over 180 countries, incorporates Siemens technology to ensure safety standards and environmental sustainability.
Enhanced Safety and Sustainability through Siemens Building Services
The facility’s smart building infrastructure relies on the Desigo CC platform, acting as a centralised control centre to seamlessly integrate various systems and devices. This synergy facilitates efficient communication, data collection, and visualisation for both the production process and the building.
Optimal Production Conditions and Employee Safety
High containment plants like Pfizer’s are designed to manufacture medications containing highly active ingredients safely. Siemens Building Services plays a crucial role in monitoring and controlling the plant’s special containment concept, integrating power distribution, ventilation, air conditioning, and heating systems. As a result, Pfizer can produce medications classified under Occupational Exposure Bands Four (OEB4) while requiring employees to wear protective clothing only to the OEB3 level. This optimal environment ensures both safety for employees and increased efficiency.
Collaboration for Cutting-Edge Pharmaceutical Production
Dave Hopping, CEO of Solutions and Services at Siemens Smart Infrastructure, commended the partnership, stating, “Our collaboration with Pfizer in the new Freiburg plant demonstrates how technology and services can deliver exceptional results, even in demanding industries like pharmaceuticals, where speed, quality, and safety are paramount. The outcome is a state-of-the-art, competitive facility and a benchmark in sustainable pharmaceutical production.”
Intelligent Integration for Energy Efficiency
By combining Desigo CC with SIMATIC WinCC, the facility enables seamless data exchange between production and visualisation systems. Relevant production data from the building management platform is transferred to the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, while information from other production systems can be utilised for predictive control functions. This integration allows for intelligent control of airflow and temperature requirements in individual zones, resulting in a 40% reduction in energy consumption compared to conventional plants.
Siemens Xcelerator: Driving Digital Transformation
Building Services, as part of the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio, offers a range of onsite and remote services that enhance building operation and maintenance through data-driven programs. Siemens Xcelerator, an open digital business platform, facilitates digital transformation by providing a curated portfolio, a partner ecosystem, and a marketplace that accelerates value creation across multiple sectors, including industry, buildings, grids, and mobility.
