DuPont expands U.S. medical tubing production

MONCKS CORNRS, S.C.—DuPont Co. has opened a new biopharmaceutical tubing plant in South Carolina.

Wilmington, Del.-based DuPont marked the opening of the Liveo Healthcare Solutions plant at its Cooper River site in Moncks Corners, S.C., on July 28. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by state and local government officials and business leaders.

DuPont officials said in a news release that the new plant will expand capacity for biopharmaceutical tubing extrusion to meet increased demand. The site uses the same quality standards as the DuPont health care site in Hemlock, Mich., the firm's long-standing health care manufacturing site.

"The Cooper River site will bring additional production capacity online over the next two years to serve strategic customers and expand our customer base," said Eugenio Toccalino, health care and specialty lubricants global business director. "We're committed to investing in our health care business, and this biopharma processing manufacturing investment at Cooper River is a key milestone in our growth strategy."

DuPont worked with local companies—including more than 40 subcontractors—on the site expansion project.

"Being selected as the second dedicated health care site is an honor and a reflection of our team's track record of dedication, ownership and commitment to our core values and excellence in meeting customers' needs," site leader Bill Alexander said. "The Cooper River site was completed within 17 months—on time, on budget and without a single recordable safety incident."

The new plant has created 25 jobs, with 25 more expected by mid-2024.

In addition to the Cooper River expansion, DuPont by the end of the year expects to add biopharma silicone tubing capacity in China to serve the fast-growing customers in that region.

DuPont is a global supplier of specialty chemicals and related products. Its plastics products include nylon resin and Tyvek polyethylene film.