GE HealthCare Expands Cork Facility with $138 Million Investment

2025-01-31 digitalcare

Cork, Friday, 31 January 2025.
GE HealthCare plans to double contrast media production by 2027, expanding Cork facility in Ireland to meet global medical imaging demand.

Strategic Investment in Healthcare Manufacturing

GE HealthCare’s announcement of a $138 million investment in its Carrigtwohill, Cork facility [1][2] marks a significant expansion in medical imaging capabilities. The new 3,000 m² facility [1][3] is designed to address the rapidly growing global demand for contrast media, essential agents used in medical imaging procedures. This strategic move comes as industry projections indicate a doubling of demand for iodine-based contrast media over the next decade [1][4], driven by aging populations and increasing prevalence of chronic disorders.

Enhanced Production Capabilities

The expansion will substantially boost manufacturing capacity, enabling the production of 25 million additional patient doses annually by the end of 2027 [1][2]. The facility’s current operations, in conjunction with GE HealthCare’s sites in Shanghai and Oslo, delivered over 100 million patient doses globally in 2024 [1][3]. The new facility will incorporate advanced technology, including state-of-the-art automation systems, filling lines, and solution preparation vessels [1], strengthening the company’s manufacturing capabilities.

Economic Impact and Timeline

Construction is scheduled to commence in February 2025, creating over 250 construction roles [4][5]. The facility, which has been operating in Ireland for more than three decades [1][3], represents a significant commitment to the region’s healthcare manufacturing sector. The first production doses from the new facility are expected by the end of 2027 [1][3], aligning with GE HealthCare’s strategy to enhance supply chain resilience and security for healthcare providers globally.

Global Healthcare Impact

This expansion is particularly significant as GE HealthCare’s Pharmaceutical Diagnostics business currently supports four patient procedures every second globally [1]. The investment reflects the company’s response to increasing healthcare demands, particularly in diagnostic imaging, where contrast media plays a crucial role in enhancing the visualization of organs, blood vessels, and tissues during medical procedures [2][3]. The expansion will help ensure a more robust supply chain for these essential medical imaging agents, benefiting healthcare providers and patients worldwide.

Bronnen

medical imaging GE HealthCare