Pfizer to seek go-ahead for major expansion of plant

By Maurice Garvey

Pharma giant Pfizer is expected to submit plans for a major expansion of its Grange Castle plant, a move that is likely to see several hundred extra jobs created at the west Dublin site.

The former Wyeth facility is already one of the largest biotechnology plants in the world and an important biopharmaceutical site for the company.

The US group is looking to build a new five-storey biopharma manufacturing unit in two phases, adding more than 34,500 sq m to its current footprint.

Grange Castle has already seen an investment of €1.6 billion and employs about 1,100 people. The 90-acre site has seen several rounds of expansion since it first opened in 2005.

In late 2015, Pfizer announced they were actively recruiting 90 new jobs at Grange Castle.

The development will also include a warehouse facility, new laboratory space and other works, along with the provision of 565 new car park spaces. Close to 300 of those will replace existing spaces lost with the new development.

The company confirmed to The Irish Times that it intends to apply to South Dublin County Council for planning permission for a “potentially significant expansion” of the Clondalkin operation.

Pfizer, which has had a presence in Ireland since 1969, employs about 3,300 people in Ireland across seven sites in Cork, Kildare, Dublin, Sligo.

The company now intend to seek a 10-year permission for the Grange Castle development.

It is expected that plans will be published within the month.