Nipro Corporation, a Japan-based maker of life-saving medical devices, consumables, pharmaceutical glass products, etc has set up a facility at Shirwal near Pune to manufacture the first made-in-India artificial kidney (dialyzer). An investment of Rs 700 crore has been earmarked for this facility, which has been given a 'mega project' status by the Government of Maharashtra. The project has also been accorded approval by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board of the Bhaba Atomic Research Centre to introduce in-house Gamma technology for sterilising devices for the first time in the country.

Commenting on this development at a news conference held in Pune on December 14, Milind Pappu, Managing Director, Nipro India Corporation said, "The Pune factory currently provides employment opportunity to 800 people and expects to double it by end of 2013. Nipro India's facility for manufacturing artificial kidneys from synthetic fibers is the country's most ambitious project in the medical device industry. The company expects to achieve Rs 350 crore turnover in 2013." Nipro has been operating in India since 1995 and registers an annual turnover of Rs 500 crore.

According to Pappu, the growing importance of the Indian healthcare market gives this country a central position in Nipro Corporation's global strategy. "Nipro products will bring down the cost of dialysis and increase the reach. Currently, In India, only 10 per cent of patients can afford dialysis treatment. Initially, it will make six million dialyzers per annum, which can be ramped up and it plans to export 90 per cent of its production in the beginning," he added.

This was accomplished with active support and cooperation from over 50 specialized engineers from Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) who commissioned the facility. With an initial capacity to make 6 million dialyzers per annum, Nipro plans to export 90 per cent of its production in the beginning. In addition to the Shirwal facility, it has a factory in Tripura to make glass vials and ampoules and plants in Meerut, Badlapur, Chiplun and Tarapur to make pharma glass tubing. Another plant is being set up in Khopoli.

The Shirwal factory would manufacture the highest quality of artificial kidney (dialyzers), disposable syringes & needles, cannulas, IVCs (intravenous catheters), AVFs (arterial venous fistulas) and BTS (blood tubing sets). Nipro Corporation has manufacturing facilities in Japan, Thailand, China, Brazil, USA, Indonesia, Bangladesh and India. "The new facility is a testament to Nipro Corporation's strategy to expand its worldwide presence in the major economies," Pappu said.