County Kildare is known for its rich history, equestrian heritage, beautiful gardens, and proximity to Dublin, making it a popular destination for tourists and residents alike. In the summer of 2024, it also became the home of our new Life Science Centre of Excellence (CoE), putting pharmaceutical, science and healthcare innovation firmly on the local map.
Luca Danesi, Chief Sales Officer — pharmaceutical market, explains why this CoE is worth all the hype as it has become not only a gateway for Europe and the US but also the global market.
Passionate about service and service technician training and how this underpins customer experience, the team in Ireland started envisioning the CoE in March 2022. They wanted a centre to train our engineers to industry-leading standards to better cater to the ever-increasing and stringent requirements of the pharmaceutical, genetics, healthcare and biotechnology industries.
And so, they started working to promote Country Kildare, Ireland — 14 miles (23 kilometres) west of Dublin — within the Group as the ideal location. “It's been quite a short schedule, the final decision and greenlight were given later that year and within four weeks we were already looking at the technologies we’d like to showcase. The accelerated process is because the team has been so passionate about the project,” explains Danesi.
Following the opening in June 2024, this state-of-the-art facility represents a milestone for Veolia Water Technologies and also a significant advancement for the life sciences sector, promising to revolutionise the landscape of water treatment technologies.
Elevating customer expectations: a showroom of innovation
“One of the key objectives of the CoE is to exceed customer expectations by providing a comprehensive showroom experience,” explains Danesi. “Clients in the pharmaceutical sector are often keen to see equipment in operation before making purchasing decisions.” The showroom means clients can witness the capabilities of key technologies, including the Orion™, Ionpro™ and the Polaris™ 2.0 range before they arrive on site. “This not only instils confidence in the efficacy of our work but demonstrates our commitment to excellence and innovation too”.
Water treatment and purification are indispensable components of the life sciences industry, underpinning critical processes in pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotechnology and medical research. The stringent regulatory requirements governing these sectors necessitate the highest standards of water quality and purity. “Herein lies the significance of the CoE. By leveraging our expertise and technologies, we will enable our customers to meet these demands and ensure compliance with regulations while fostering innovation and growth,” notes Danesi.
Furthermore, by showcasing Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, sustainability initiatives and digital advancements such as Hubgrade, the showroom offers a compelling glimpse into the future of life science water treatment.
Empowering through training: a platform for excellence
“Moving onto my passion, the most integral aspect of the CoE is its focus on training and development,” adds Danesi. “The life sciences and pharmaceutical industries demand the highest service and technical support standards. Therefore, the CoE provides an invaluable opportunity for our engineers to get hands-on experience with the equipment to excel in their roles before stepping foot on our customers’ sites,” explains Danesi.
Through a comprehensive training program, encompassing everything from equipment installation and maintenance to advanced operational techniques, the CoE ensures our engineers, regardless of their working location, are equipped to deliver unparalleled service to clients worldwide.
“Moreover, we are City & Guilds accredited, and the team and I are very proud of this achievement. Now we know our training is aligned with the global quality standard and assurance benchmark. This means all engineers trained at the facility are more than capable of navigating the complexities of modern water treatment. With this accreditation in place, we ensure a consistent approach to nurturing talent, fostering expertise and maintaining the highest standards across our operations.”
Another essential aspect of what we offer our clients is exceptional after-sales support. Given the knowledge level it equips our engineers with, the CoE plays a pivotal role in ensuring everyone can deliver prompt and effective support to clients worldwide. Moreover, the CoE serves as a strategic nexus for our Water as a Service (WaaS) initiative, representing a paradigm shift in the delivery of water treatment solutions.
Fostering innovation and collaboration: a centre for industry advancement
Bringing both the training and customer focus together, the CoE catalyses industry-wide innovation and collaboration. “The life science and pharmaceutical sectors are remarkably competitive, with customers expecting high professionalism and service quality.”
“The CoE's testing platform provides a unique environment for testing and optimising new solutions. We recognized that true innovation comes from rigorous testing and continuous learning. And so, our testing platform allows us to push the boundaries of what's possible".
By simulating real-world conditions and conducting rigorous testing protocols, clients are assured of the reliability, efficiency and efficacy of products, assisting them in their decision-making process. Moreover, the testing platform fosters collaboration with suppliers and partners, facilitating the co-development of specialised treatments and tailored solutions to meet their individual and evolving needs.
Environmental and sustainability initiatives
Last but certainly not least is our commitment to deliver on both performance and sustainability without compromise. “The life sciences sector faces multifaceted sustainability challenges spanning environmental, social and economic dimensions. Balancing environmental responsibility with the imperative of scientific innovation and profitability requires concerted efforts and collaboration. We see it as our mission to develop sustainable solutions that address these interconnected issues,” confirms Danesi.
From the carbon footprint generated by manufacturing processes to water usage and chemical pollution, the solutions showcased at the CoE enable our customers to decarbonize, depollute and regenerate resources.
“And we don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk too,” beams Danesi. “With integrated water recycling, reuse and recovery, alongside the implementation of solar energy, EV chargers, sedum roofs and various other sustainable best practices, we exemplify our unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship. Through these initiatives we achieve operational efficiency, reducing the environmental impact of our business activities, and demonstrate the transformative power of sustainable practices in a greener, more resilient future.”
Conclusion
With its cutting-edge facilities, commitment to excellence, and dedication to sustainability, the Centre is a game-changer for the life sciences industry. From elevating customer expectations through innovative showroom experiences to empowering employees with top-tier training and development opportunities, the CoE epitomises our unwavering commitment to driving positive change and shaping a brighter future.
“Let’s harness the power of innovation to drive positive change, shape a brighter future for generations to come, and continue to achieve excellence every day,” concludes Danesi.
The CoE opened its doors officially in June 2024. To enquire about visiting the site, please contact veolialifescience.centreofexcellence@veolia.com.
