Singapore moving to meet pharma manufacturing demand for high-quality water

Singapore, like other Asian countries looking to woo pharmaceutical manufacturers, is moving quickly to meet increasing demand for high-quality water required by strict regulations in the U.S. and European Union.

With more than 170 water companies involved in hydro research, design, treatment and manufacturing, water has made Singapore an Asian oasis for drug manufacturers, Eco-Business reports.

The industry needs water as both an ingredient in many formulations as well as a cleaning agent. And there are different grades of water like purified, highly purified, pyrogen-free and water-for-injection needed to meet international pharmaceutical standards.

"Consistency is one of the biggest requirements of the pharmaceutical industry," Chiang Heng Kheng of Veolia Water Technologies told Eco-Business. "Also, customers want their supplies to comply with their sustainability efforts, which usually extend to all their global sites."

According to IMS Consulting Group, the Singapore region's pharmaceutical market is expected to reach $350 billion by 2016, accounting for 30% of the global market and nearing 50% through 2016, the publication said.

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