Reliance's Biotech Plant on the Fast Track

April 17, 2006
To take a giant step forward in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, the Mumbai-based company is relying on modular construction and a stem-to-stern automation package from Emerson.

Reliance Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd. (Mumbai) is building what it says will be India’s largest fully automated cell-culture-based biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility. Heading the Reliance automation team working on the project is Matthew Bishop.

The company is taking a “fast track” approach to the facility’s construction, using modular “skids,” standard plant modules — complete with documents and drawings — based on known and pre-tested process cells. All skids will be integrated at the site, to ensure automation consistency across the manufacturing floor and to allow for consolidated validation meeting FDA’s cGMP requirements.

Emerson Process Management (Austin, Tex.) will provide engineering design, digital automation, process management, validation and commissioning for the project. The plant will also use Emerson’s PlantWeb digital architecture, including Foundation Fieldbus communications technology, connecting a DeltaV digital automation system to smart field devices.

“Reliance’s new plant is the first fully automated life sciences plant in India,” said Pradipta Sen, president of Emerson India. “We are pleased that PlantWeb will be part of this groundbreaking project, which will advance the modernization and growth of the life sciences sector in India.”

About the Author

Agnes Shanley | Editor in Chief