By Business & Finance 
Construction occurred at the GE HealthCare Carrigtwohill site in January 2025. The new facility will enable 25 million more patient doses per year of contrast media by the end of 2027.
GE HealthCare, the American health technology company, announced a €132 million investment to expand its Carrigtwohill contrast media fill and finish manufacturing site in Cork, Ireland in January 2025.
Contrast media are injectable imaging agents that are used to enhance visualisation of organs, blood vessels and tissues. Global demand for iodine-based contrast media, used in X-Ray, Computed Tomography (CT) and Interventional procedures, is expected to double in the next decade, driven by ageing populations and the increasing global prevalence of chronic disorders.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin T.D. was on site to break ground and formally initiate construction works.
The new facility will enable 25 million more patient doses per year of contrast media by the end of 2027, helping address growing global demand.
The new 3,000m2 facility will include solution preparation vessels, multi-functional powder handling systems, a new filling line and autoclaves, with advanced automation systems underpinning production.
In 2024, the Carrigtwohill facility, along with GE HealthCare’s other fill and finish production sites in Shanghai, China, and Oslo, Norway, supplied over 100 million patient doses of contrast media around the world.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin T.D. said: “GE HealthCare has been manufacturing in Ireland for more than 30 years, and has invested extensively in the Carrigtohill site and the people working here. 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.”
President & CEO of GE HealthCare’s Pharmaceutical Diagnostics (PDx) segment, Kevin O’Neill, said: “As an industry leader we have a responsibility to help meet the growing global demand for contrast media from healthcare providers and their patients. This new facility demonstrates our broader commitment not just to address future demand, but also to increase resiliency and security of industry supply for customers.”
Eugene Barrett, Site Leader and Managing Director, GE HealthCare Ireland, said: “This expansion strengthens our longstanding presence in Cork, where we have a highly skilled team, access to leading talent in the pharmaceutical industry, strong distribution links around the world and a great partnership with IDA Ireland. First doses from our new facility are expected by the end of 2027 and we are proud of the impact our site will continue to make for patients around the world.”
Engineering firm, IPS-Integrated Project Services, leads the project. Over 250 construction roles expected to be created.
FDI of the Month
Recipients of FDI of the Month are automatically put forward as candidates for the prestigious FDI of the Year award at the annual Business & Finance Awards. The Business & Finance Awards will take place on Thursday, 11 December 2025 at The Convention Centre, Dublin. For any inquiries, please contact Priyanka.kotian@businessandfinance.com
