GE HealthCare has announced a €132 million investment to expand its Carrigtohill contrast media fill and finish manufacturing site in Cork.
A new state-of-the-art facility on the grounds of the existing site will enable 25 million more patient doses per year of contrast media by the end of 2027, helping address growing global demand.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin T.D. turned the sod to formally initiate construction works on the site of the new facility: “GE HealthCare has been manufacturing in Ireland for more than 30 years, and has invested extensively in the Carrigtohill site and the people working here. I am delighted to welcome this significant new investment here in Cork, which is testament to the commitment of GE HealthCare in Ireland, and also to our highly skilled workforce.”
Contrast media are injectable diagnostic imaging agents used to enhance visualization of organs, blood vessels and tissues during medical imaging.
Global demand for iodine-based contrast media, used in X-Ray, Computed Tomography and interventional procedures is expected to double over the next decade, driven by ageing populations and the increasing global prevalence of chronic disorders.
In 2024, the Carrigtohill facility, along with GE HealthCare’s other fill and finish production sites in Shanghai, China, and Oslo, Norway, supplied over 100 million patient doses of contrast media around the world.
The new 3,000m2 facility will include solution preparation vessels, multi-functional powder handling systems, a new filling line and autoclaves, with advanced automation systems underpinning production.
Eugene Barrett, Site Leader and Managing Director, GE HealthCare Ireland, said: “This expansion strengthens our longstanding presence in Cork, where we have a highly skilled team, access to leading talent in the pharmaceutical industry, strong distribution links around the world and a great partnership with IDA Ireland. First doses from our new facility are expected by the end of 2027 and we are proud of the impact our site will continue to make for patients around the world.”
Engineering firm, IPS-Integrated Project Services, will lead the project with enabling construction works starting at the Carrigtohill facility in February 2025, and over 250 construction roles expected to be created.
