The client, Grifols, is a leader in the research, development, and production of critical care treatments for people with rare, chronic, and often life-threatening conditions. Grifols products are used for very rare diseases, specifically antitrypsin and different immune deficiencies.
The new fractionation facility expansion receives blood plasma as the raw material, fractionates it, and manufactures products for blood therapies. Their target population of patients who have blood diseases is typically very small, but the onus on reliable supply is critical since patients rely heavily on their products. Previously, the Grifols' operation in Clayton had a fractionation capacity of four million liters. The new facility provides the opportunity to fractionate up to six million additional liters of blood plasma.
The 160,000-square-foot NFF project included new centrifuge technology, expansion of existing plant utilities and systems, and revamp of an existing ethanol fractionation facility. Similar to biotechnology operations, high-grade stainless steel is required for the process equipment and the clean utilities, e.g., water for injection, reverse osmosis water. All the process transfer units were built in 316 low carbon stainless steel and polished internally to achieve a 20 Ra surface finish.