SGD Pharma to Acquire Alphial Tubular Glass Manufacturer

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SGD Pharma announced on Aug. 28, 2025 that it has entered into an agreement with Entangled Capital, an Italian private equity firm, to acquire Alphial, an Italy-based manufacturer of tubular vials, ampoules, and ready-to-use (RTU) glass products. This move represents a strategic expansion of tubular glass capacity in Europe, complementing SGD Pharma’s broader efforts to strengthen global supply chains for pharmaceutical packaging. The deal remains subject to Italian foreign direct investment clearance (1).

Alphial, which employs more than 220 people across four manufacturing sites in Italy, will add production depth to SGD Pharma’s existing capabilities. Tubular glass converting is a critical step in ensuring consistent quality for injectable drug packaging, particularly as demand grows for sterile and RTU formats. The acquisition marks an important milestone for SGD Pharma.

“We are excited to welcome Alphial [to] the SGD Pharma family. This acquisition represents a significant milestone in our growth strategy and will enable us to better serve our clients with an expanded portfolio of services and solutions,” said Olivier Rousseau, CEO, SGD Pharma, in a company press release (1).

How will this acquisition strengthen supply chains and manufacturing integration?

The acquisition follows earlier steps to reinforce production capacity and supply chain resilience. Two years ago, SGD Pharma established a joint venture with Corning to build a new tubing facility in India near its Vemula site. That plant is nearing operational readiness, with its first glass tubes soon entering production. Together, the India facility and Alphial’s operations will provide geographic balance, ensuring a more secure supply of pharmaceutical-grade glass in both Asia and Europe (1).

For manufacturers of injectable therapies, supply security is as critical as quality. The expansion of tubular glass capacity and RTU solutions reflects growing demand from drug developers and contract manufacturing organizations for packaging formats that reduce sterilization steps and streamline fill/finish operations. These capabilities are increasingly relevant as injectable biologics and advanced therapies enter clinical and commercial pipelines (2–4).

“We have been investing heavily in the development of tubular glass and RTU over the last years. Together with the SGD Pharma team, I’m truly excited to engage with the Alphial team to make this happen,” said Fabio Invernizzi, general manager of the West Business Unit at SGD Pharma, in the release.

What is the outlook for European pharmaceutical packaging?

Alphial’s integration into SGD Pharma’s network is expected to broaden the product portfolio while improving operational performance. Valerio Marchi, CEO, Alphial, noted the benefits of the agreement in the release, saying, “We are really pleased to join the SGD Pharma Group. SGD Pharma will help Alphial grow and improve the quality of its offering and of its industrial performance.”

The transaction highlights how consolidation in pharmaceutical packaging is being driven not only by scale but also by technological advancement. RTU glass packaging, in particular, has become a focal point for investment as the industry shifts toward more complex therapies and globalized supply models.

The integration process will begin after closing, with both companies committed to ensuring continuity for customers and employees. The combined operations are positioned to play a significant role in meeting long-term demand for high-quality tubular glass packaging across Europe and globally.

References

1. SGD Pharma. A Strategic Step Forward: Alphial S.r.l. Joins SGD Pharma. Press Release. Aug. 28, 2025.
2. Grand View Research. Ready-to-Use Pharmaceutical Packaging Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Container Type (Sterile Syringes, Sterile Cartridges), by End Use (Glass, Plastic, Rubber), by Region, and Segment Forecasts, 2025–2030. Market Research Report. May 2025. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/ready-to-use-pharmaceutical-packaging-market-report#
3. CoherentMI. Global Pharmaceutical Glass Tubing Market Size and Share Analysis—Growth Trends and Forecasts (2025–2032). Market Research Report. April 2025. https://www.coherentmi.com/industry-reports/global-pharmaceutical-glass-tubing-market
4. Beran, D.; Mirza, Z.; Dong, J. Access to Insulin: Applying the Concept of Security of Supply to Medicines. Bull World Health Organ. 2019, 97 (5), 358–364. DOI: 10.2471/BLT.18.217612.