SCHOTT has started local production of high-precision glass tubing for syringes and cartridges at its manufacturing facility in Jambusar, Gujarat. The expansion follows a technology transfer from its operations in Germany and enables the plant to supply glass tubing for vials, ampoules, syringes, and cartridges.
The initiative is intended to meet growing demand for injectable drugs in the GLP-1 segment, which includes semaglutide for weight management and type 2 diabetes. Industry reports forecast this market could expand at a compound annual growth rate of about 33 percent in the coming years.
The Jambusar site will manufacture FIOLAX Type I borosilicate glass tubing, designed for consistent wall thickness and precise inner-diameter tolerances to support plunger tightness and smooth operation in prefillable syringes and cartridges. The plant is equipped with SCHOTT’s perfeXion quality-control system, which uses high-frequency measurements to monitor production and aims to minimise manufacturing defects.
“This strategic expansion marks a significant milestone in our journey to support pharmaceutical packaging capabilities in India. As the first in India to locally manufacture high-precision syringe and cartridge glass tubing, we are not only elevating our operational capabilities but also reinforcing India’s healthcare self-sufficiency. This investment aligns strongly with the ‘Make in India’ initiative and showcases our ongoing commitment to driving excellence, and economic growth in the country,” said Sundeep Prabhu, Sr. Vice President Sales & Marketing, SCHOTT Glass India.
India was selected for this manufacturing capability due to its expanding pharmaceutical sector, skilled workforce, and regulatory environment. The facility also benefits from advanced production expertise transferred from SCHOTT’s international operations.
Founded in 1884 and headquartered in Mainz, Germany, SCHOTT operates in more than 30 countries with around 17,400 employees and recorded EUR 2.8 billion in sales in fiscal year 2024. SCHOTT Glass India, established in 1998, runs the Jambusar site, its second-largest pharmaceutical tubing production facility, serving both domestic and export markets in Asia and the Middle East, and a sales office in Mumbai.
India is a major producer in the global pharmaceutical industry, accounting for over half of worldwide demand for certain vaccines, 40 percent of generic drug demand in the United States, and 25 percent of medicines supplied to the United Kingdom. The country’s pharmaceutical sector includes about 3,000 companies and approximately 10,500 manufacturing units, ranking third globally by production volume and 14th by value.
Since 2014, the company has supported pharmacy students in India via the FIOLAX Scholarship Program, recognising academic performance, industry knowledge, and career aspirations. The initiative is part of SCHOTT’s broader efforts to promote skills development in the healthcare sector.
SCHOTT Glass India’s Jambusar facility is located in Gujarat’s Vadodara district, an area with agricultural, commercial, and industrial significance. Vadodara district covers about 235 square kilometres and includes 15 towns, 12 tehsils, and more than 1,650 villages. It is bordered by Kheda, Anand, Panchmahal, Dahod, Narmada, Bharuch, and Madhya Pradesh.
