Evonik Expands Biotechnology Production in Slovakia With 80 Million Euro Investment

 In September 2026, Evonik expanded a major biotechnology expansion project at its Fermas site in Slovakia. The project forms part of an approximately EUR 80 million investment aimed at expanding Evonik’s biotechnology capabilities and strengthening its contract manufacturing services for pharmaceutical drug substances. The company expects to complete the expansion in early 2028. Once operational, the facility will increase Evonik’s capacity to develop and manufacture complex pharmaceutical intermediates.

As part of the expansion, Evonik installed state-of-the-art downstream fermentation technology at the Fermas site. These new capabilities will support the development and manufacturing of complex molecules used in pharmaceutical applications. Furthermore, the investment will strengthen Fermas as one of Evonik’s key biotechnology hubs. By combining advanced fermentation expertise with scalable manufacturing capabilities, the site will be better positioned to support pharmaceutical customers from development through industrial production.

The investment also highlights Evonik’s long-term commitment to biotechnology and to Slovakia as a strategic manufacturing location. “This investment demonstrates the company’s confidence in biotechnology and in Slovakia as a location where innovation turns into industrial-scale products,” said Miroslav Havlik, General Manager of Evonik Fermas. With more than three decades of fermentation expertise, Fermas has developed into an important biotechnology manufacturing center for Evonik.

Impact on the Chemical Market

Evonik is seen as focusing on sustainability as it expands its biotechnology platform. Advanced fermentation processes can provide a more sustainable alternative for producing selected pharmaceutical intermediates compared with conventional chemical synthesis. For example, fermentation-based production can reduce the use of organic solvents and minimize process-related waste. In addition, the Fermas site already operates using 100 percent green electricity and incorporates renewable and certified raw materials into selected production processes.

Evonik’s latest expansion builds on the company’s established fermentation expertise and its strong connections with local universities. These partnerships help the company develop a pipeline of qualified engineers while supporting an agile innovation ecosystem. Consequently, the combination of technical expertise, local talent, and advanced production infrastructure positions Fermas for continued growth in biotechnology.

Impact on the Biotechnology Market

The global biotechnology market size is estimated at USD 1.77 trillion in 2025 and predicted to increase from USD 2.02 trillion in 2026 to approximately USD 6.34 trillion by 2035, representing a CAGR of 13.61% from 2026 to 2035.

According to Precedence Research, the market is driven by growing demand for personalized medicine, bio-agriculture, rising investment by pharmaceutical and biotech industries, and integration of advanced technology in drug discovery. Its applications span healthcare, food production, agriculture, environmental management, and industrial manufacturing. The biotechnology industry is currently undergoing dynamic evolution, with significant global impacts and implications.

The growing demand for biopharmaceuticals is a major driver of growth in the market. Biologic drugs, such as monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and cell therapies, offer targeted treatments with fewer side effects compared to traditional medications. Additionally, increasing demand for biotechnology tools in agricultural applications like micro-propagation, molecular breeding, tissue culturing, conventional plant breeding, and the development of genetically modified crops has further propelled market growth. The market's growth is also being fueled by increased research and development investments, favorable regulatory frameworks, breakthroughs in omics technologies, and the integration of artificial intelligence in biological data analysis.