UPS Healthcare expands European hub
Expansion means facility in Roermond, the Netherlands now has over 200 ULT freezers that can store products at -80°C
UPS Healthcare announced an expansion of its European hub facility in Roermond, the Netherlands by 21,860 sq.m., adding in-demand freezer farm capacity, a crucial link in a strong and reliable supply chain for a growing number of complex biopharma products.
"The expansion means the campus now has over 200 ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers which can store products at -80°C. The upgrades also included the addition of approximately 3,200 pallet positions for storage at 2°C to 8°C," says an official release.
The global market for biologic therapeutic drugs is set to increase from $373.5 billion in 2024 to $615 billion by 2029, the release added.
"The hub has also seen 2,500 solar panels installed, providing over 1.2 gWh of energy, equivalent to the yearly power use of over 450 households. These panels also enable UPS to send power back to the grid, helping support local sustainability efforts with renewable energy. This initiative aligns with UPS's goal to power 25 percent of facilities with renewable electricity by 2025 and reach 100 percent by 2035."
Anouk Hesen, Operations Director, West Europe, UPS Healthcare says: "Society’s healthcare needs are changing, and thanks to next generation treatments, practitioners can provide patient care like never before. These complex treatments are time-and-temperature-sensitive and require the highest level of precision end-to-end logistics solutions - from the lab to the patient. By expanding this facility, we’re extending our cold chain capabilities to support a rapidly growing and innovating market.”
Close to UPS’s European air hub at Cologne Bonn Airport, the hub has direct access to major ports including Rotterdam, Antwerp and Amsterdam, the release added. "Through its ground fleet, including temperature-controlled vehicles, Roermond is within 1,000km of 80 percent of Europe’s addressable healthcare market, allowing for 24 hours delivery to most of these areas."
In 2023, UPS Healthcare more than doubled the footprint of dedicated healthcare facilities since 2020. The new facility is connected to a global network of 17 million ft² (1.6 million m²) of cGMP and GDP-compliant healthcare space with 10 million ft² (930,000 m²) dedicated to the cold chain, the release added.
