GE HealthCare has unveiled a €132 million investment to expand its manufacturing facility in Carrigtwohill, Cork. The new 3,000 square meter addition will enable the production of 25 million more patient doses of contrast media annually by the end of 2027, in response to growing global demand for diagnostic imaging agents used in CT scans and X-rays.
The announcement was made today as An Taoiseach Micheál Martin officially turned the sod at the site. He praised the company’s long-term commitment to Ireland, noting that GE HealthCare has been manufacturing in Ireland for over 30 years. “I am delighted to welcome this significant new investment here in Cork, which is testament to the commitment of GE HealthCare in Ireland, and also to our highly skilled workforce,” he said.
Contrast media, which are injectable diagnostic agents, enhance the visualisation of organs, blood vessels, and tissues during medical imaging. With the global demand for iodine-based contrast media expected to double in the next decade, driven by ageing populations and the rise of chronic disorders, the new facility will help meet this demand.
Kevin O’Neill, President & CEO of GE HealthCare’s Pharmaceutical Diagnostics segment, explained that the Cork site is ideally suited for the expansion. “Cork has a fantastic team and great access to global markets,” O’Neill said. He also reassured that GE HealthCare will adapt to any potential changes in global trade, including tariffs, citing the company’s experience in navigating such challenges.
In 2024, the Carrigtwohill facility, along with GE HealthCare’s other production sites in Shanghai and Oslo, supplied over 100 million doses of contrast media worldwide. O’Neill emphasised that the new facility is part of GE HealthCare’s commitment not only to meet future demand but also to ensure the security and resilience of its supply chain.
Eugene Barrett, Site Leader and Managing Director of GE HealthCare Ireland, highlighted the importance of the Cork expansion. “This strengthens our longstanding presence in Cork, where we have a highly skilled team, access to leading talent, and strong distribution links globally,” Barrett said. The first doses from the new facility are expected to be produced by the end of 2027.
The expansion will also have a significant economic impact on the local community, with engineering firm IPS-Integrated Project Services leading the project. Construction works are set to begin in February 2025, with over 250 construction jobs expected to be created.
IDA Ireland CEO Michael Lohan expressed confidence in the Carrigtwohill campus, noting that the investment is a vote of confidence in the capability and expertise of the local team developed over three decades.
With this expansion, GE HealthCare aims to bolster its role as a global leader in pharmaceutical diagnostics, ensuring it can meet the increasing needs of healthcare providers and patients worldwide.
