ABB India wins automation contract from Reliance Life Sciences

ABB India has clinched a significant automation deal with Reliance Life Sciences (RLS) for their upcoming manufacturing facilities located in Nashik, Maharashtra. These new plants, situated on a sprawling 160-acre Reliance Life Sciences campus, are set to produce plasma proteins, biopharmaceuticals, oncology medicines, and vaccines.

Highlighting the complexity of large-scale biotech production, this partnership aims to address the intricate process and automation challenges present. ABB’s System 800xA solution is at the heart of this initiative. Recognized for reducing manufacturing errors, the system ensures high-quality output, facilitates operator interaction, and offers seamless batch control. Furthermore, it aids in delivering real-time production information directly on the manufacturing floor.

G. Balaji, the SVP, Head of Energy Industries at ABB India, emphasized the significance of the collaboration. “This association not only strengthens our foothold in the pharma and life sciences sector but also places us in a favorable position to leverage the massive growth opportunities presented by India’s emerging prominence as a biopharmaceutical manufacturing powerhouse,” he noted.

ABB India bags automation contract from Reliance Life Sciences for new manufacturing plants in Nashik. Photo courtesy of ABB.

The advanced System 800xA is planned for virtual installation for Reliance Life Sciences, which brings forth numerous operational advantages, from server management to considerable IT footprint and operational cost reductions. It ensures efficient data communication, optimizes space utilization, and accelerates project implementation while complying with the stringent US FDA 21 CFR Part 11 standards.

The installation on the Windows Server 2022 platform will ensure extended support and superior software management for Reliance Life Sciences, helping to sidestep costly plant shutdowns related to software updates. The system’s integration capabilities will enable a unified audit trail, integrated reporting, and efficient operations, translating to reduced training needs and maintenance.

ABB’s expertise in the sector is undisputed, having been ranked the top DCS provider globally for 23 years straight by the ARC Advisory Group in 2021. RLS’s President, K.V. Subramaniam, acknowledged this prowess and shared the company’s long-standing commitment to embracing automation technologies. He believes the ABB partnership is a giant leap forward in virtualization and process control.

Beyond the DCS, Reliance Life Sciences is also set to benefit from ABB’s innovative remote I/O solution, which introduces a more adaptable, plug-and-play automation approach. This agility ensures faster commissioning, swift process deployment, and the flexibility to upscale plant capacity in the future.

Reliance Life Sciences, currently leading in the number of biosimilars in the Indian market, is pushing its global boundaries. The central objective behind expanding its manufacturing base is to provide high-grade biosimilars at competitive prices to a broader audience.