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04/22/2026

Evonik strengthens biotechnology capabilities for drug substance manufacturing with new investment in Slovakia

  • Evonik invests EUR 80 million to expand biotechnology capabilities at Slovenská Ľupča site in Slovakia.
  • New downstream fermentation technology supports reliable and sustainable drug substance manufacturing.
  • The investment creates 50 new jobs, reinforcing the site as a hub for advanced biotechnological production.
  • Biotechnological fermentation enables Next Generation Solutions, aligning with Evonik’s sustainability ambitions.
  • The Fermas site is recognized as one of Evonik’s leading biotechnology centers since its founding in 1992.

Evonik is investing EUR 80 million to expand biotechnology at Slovenská Ľupča, Slovakia. The new downstream fermentation technology supports the growing global need for complex pharmaceutical ingredients. The expansion will create 50 new jobs and reinforces the site's role as a hub for sustainable biotechnological production. This step builds on recent investments, further driving sustainable progress and pioneering solutions for a better tomorrow.

  • Expands downstream fermentation capacity to meet growing global demand for pharmaceutical ingredients
  • Marks the second major investment at the Slovenská Ľupča site in recent years
  • Follows the group’s strategy to strengthen leading market position in biotechnology for further growth

Evonik is investing around EUR 80 million to expand its biotechnology capabilities at its Fermas site in Slovenská Ľupča, Slovakia. The investment will add state-of-the-art downstream fermentation technology to support the contract manufacturing services of the group’s drug substance business. The expansion will create approximately 50 new jobs at the site.

“With demand for complex pharmaceutical ingredients continuing to rise, our enhanced biotechnology capabilities will enable us to support customers with reliable, scalable, and sustainable production,” said Guido Skudlarek, head of the Health Care business line.

This investment is the second major financial commitment at Fermas in recent years, following the construction of Evonik’s pioneering rhamnolipids plant, initiated in 2022. Industrial biotechnology at Slovenská Ľupča has become one of Evonik’s core strengths, offering excellent career opportunities for biotechnologists, laboratory technicians, engineers, and other specialists. The site continues to expand its capacity for biofermentation scale-up and downstream processing, reinforcing its position as a hub for advanced biotechnological production.

Biotechnological processes such as fermentation enable the development of Next Generation Solutions – products and solutions that deliver superior sustainability benefits compared to conventional alternatives, further supporting Evonik’s sustainability ambitions.

“I am proud that our Slovenská Ľupča site is helping the world’s leading life science companies address some of today’s most pressing challenges,” said Miroslav Havlik, general manager of Evonik Fermas. “Our investment not only supports a more sustainable future for global health and care but also strengthens our region.”

Evonik Fermas, located in Slovenská Ľupča, Slovakia, was founded in 1992 as a joint venture between Degussa AG and Biotika a.s. Originally focused on amino acid production for animal nutrition, the company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Evonik in 1998 and has since expanded into the manufacturing of fermentation-based products for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal care, and animal nutrition. In 2024, Evonik became the first company worldwide to produce industrial-scale rhamnolipid biosurfactants, marking a milestone in sustainable specialty chemicals. Today, the Fermas site is recognized as one of Evonik’s leading biotechnology centers.

Further information:

More about Evonik’s CDMO drug substance business
More about Evonik's precision fermentation capabilities

Evonik: Leading beyond chemistry

Evonik goes beyond the boundaries of chemistry with its combination of innovative strength and leading technological expertise. The global chemical company, headquartered in Essen, Germany, is active in more than 100 countries and generated sales of €14.1 billion and earnings (adjusted EBITDA) of €1.9 billion in 2025. The common motivation of the approximately 31,000 employees: to provide customers with a decisive competitive advantage with tailor-made products and solutions as a superforce for industry, thereby improving people's lives. In all markets. Every day.

About Custom Solutions

The Custom Solutions segment focuses on innovation-driven, tailor-made solutions for customers in specific growth markets. These solutions include additives for coatings, adhesives and sealants, polyurethane foams and lubricants, catalysts, and ingredients for the cosmetics, cleaning and pharmaceutical industries. In 2025, the segment generated sales of €5.4 billion with around 9,500 employees.

Disclaimer

In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.