Extract Technology has built a reputation for innovation in aseptic and containment applications
With a history dating back to 1981, Extract Technology has been dedicated to innovation and excellence since its inception. Now part of the Dec Group, Extract Technology continues to develop and evolve, boosted by the resources and complementary business lines of its new parent company.
As a leading worldwide supplier of containment and aseptic systems for the pharmaceutical, healthcare, biotech and chemical markets, Extract Technology is a natural fit for Dec Group, which itself is a recognized global leader in the field of powder handling and process containment systems. As an addition to the Containment Solutions Technologies division (CST), Extract Technology is now part of a group that employs over 800 staff and has successfully implemented over 10,000 projects worldwide.
As a complete solutions provider for bespoke containment (configured as well as integrated solutions), Extract Technology’s operations comprise sales, project management, engineering, production, field and aftermarket services. Darren Hughes, Global Technical Director & Director, UK Operations, elaborates further on its products and services. “We are a market leading manufacturer of both custom made and configured containment equipment, including downflow booths, solvent booths, gloveboxes and process isolators, for various industries. Our products offer both operator protection from exposure to highly potent material, as well as product protection within aseptic manufacturing applications. We offer a full turnkey service, which includes a comprehensive suite of design options, project management, full in-house manufacture, installation, commissioning and aftercare.
“Our unique ability to fabricate in-house is key to our success, giving our clients confidence that the project is in good hands from conception through to fruition,” he continues. “We have a long history of providing innovative containment solutions and are well known within the pharmaceutical industry for our industry leading designs, and ability to push boundaries.”
Extract Technology’s manufacturing operations are carried out at two facilities – one in the UK and one in the US. “This is in addition to our large and extensive manufacturing capability across the Dec Group in Poland, India, the Netherlands and Germany,” Darren notes. “Our Huddersfield, UK, site consists of 15,000 square feet of office space, and 41,500 square feet of manufacturing space, and it has benefited from a recent expansion as we took on a new building adjacent to the existing site.”
The UK site plays a pivotal role in Extract Technologies’ future, as it makes strategic investments and expansions into the nuclear sector. “Drawing on the expertise we have within the US market, we are moving towards our fit4Nuclear accreditation in 2024, upskilling our workforce, investing in new equipment and upping our cybersecurity measures to make us ‘Nuclear Ready’ for the future,” Darren confirms.
This strategy puts Extract Technology in a strong position to address rising demand for nuclear technology, as its Glovebox product range (under the Walker Barrier Systems brand) ensures the safe handling of many varieties of radioactive substances. Having already participated in a meeting and presentation to Sellafield, NNL, Rolls Royce, AWE and MoD Nuclear Submarines, Extract Technology is also part of an ongoing dialogue with Cavendish Nuclear for bespoke fume hoods and isolators, with initial demand in the region of 100 of each item.
With the UK Government confirming that it will consider both UK and US manufacture, Extract Technology is also able to leverage the knowledge and experience of its US counterparts. This advantage is further boosted by investments in its American manufacturing arm. “In the US, a recent $1,300,000 investment facilitated the move from our previous, long-term manufacturing site in New Lisbon, WI, to a 25,000 square-foot brand new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Mauston, WI. Further expansion is already planned for 2024-2025, with an additional investment of $5.7 million, to more than double the existing footprint,” Darren highlights. 
Thanks to its forward-thinking strategies, Extract Technology has positioned itself as the ideal partner for some of the world’s most recognized and respected organizations. Darren was able to disclose some details of a recent project with the European Space Agency (ESA), with the end user being NASA. “We have been chosen as the partner of choice to provide the high containment solution for the Mars Sample return program. This involves working closely with the University of Leicester, UK Space Agency, ESA and NASA. We are delighted to be part of such a prestigious project, which is a testament to the expertise and knowledge that exists within our organization,” he states.
To work with such highly specialized clients, Extract Technology maintains a portfolio of qualifications and certifications, including ISO 9001, ISO 45001, and ISO 14001. This latter environmental accreditation is an essential element of its wider sustainability program. “Sustainability plays a very important part in our business and the environmental commitments that we have made,” Darren confirms. “As well as holding our own ISO 14001 certification, as part of the wider Dec Group we circulate our metrics to understand what impact our global footprint has on the environment. As a group, we are audited by PWC on an annual basis for the purposes of identifying improvement to our sustainability programs.”
As we head into the second half of 2024, Darren and the team at Extract Technology plan to continue their course of expansion, with their sights set on adjacent markets such as chemical, aseptic filling, nuclear and space. Further developments on the agenda include the standardization of isolator designs and the development of standard product lines such as Isopharm and Steripharm, the design alignment of downflow booths across UK/US, and the ownership and development of cell therapy technology.
“Now we are an integral part of the Dec Group, which has more than doubled in size within the last three years, we anticipate continued levels of sustained organic and inorganic growth,” concludes Darren. “As we continue our integration into the group, it not only strengthens our market position, but also enables us to offer additional products from the wider group portfolio, from molecules to final dosage forms.”