Datwyler, a leading manufacturer of elastomer components for pharmaceutical packaging, recently completed three critical installations to support the safety of drinking water in communities surrounding its Pune, India operation. Khed Budruk, Pargaon and Khandala each saw the deployment of AquaTower filtration systems combined with AquaSan surface disinfection systems. Each of the three AquaTowers provides the daily drinking water requirements of up to 1,800 individuals.
Datwyler’s installations were completed in partnership with non-profit, Planet Water’s Hygiene Education Program, a critical resource in some of the most underserved communities in the area. “Waterborne illnesses are rampant in our village,” said Khandala Nagar, a resident of Panchayat. “This is very dangerous especially to our children. Because of Datwyler’s help, the contaminants in our water sources will be filtered and we can drink our way to better health.”
The projects are just the latest in a series of efforts by Datwyler’s country-wide team to advance the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in India. Over the past year, Datwyler has completed 15 clean water projects, five toilet installations, and built five kindergartens in villages within thirty kilometers of the Satara district where it manufactures OmniFlex stoppers and NeoFlex plungers for use in cartridges, pre-filled syringes, and vials. These activities continue a long-standing partnership between Datwyler’s operations in Pune and its surrounding communities.
Datwyler Healthcare Solutions
“Our team has done an incredible job in driving critical initiatives to serve the communities of our employees,” said Dirk Borghs, COO of Datwyler Healthcare Solutions. “Their dedication to these initiatives helps Datwyler put its commitments into action to create a better world.”
Over the years, Datwyler has implemented water purification plants, planted hundreds of trees, donated supplies to nursing colleges, renovated schools, and donated food to those in need. For all water-related projects, Datwyler fosters a partnership with Planet Water, which recognizes and appreciates Datwyler’s efforts. In partnership with Planet Water, Datwyler supports poor communities in India by installing aqua towers, handwashing points, and hygiene education courses. In 2021, more than 10,000 people were given access to clean drinking water. “It has never been about the amount of money we spend, but about the mindset and culture,” shared Rajeev Naidu, Datwyler’s head of Human Resources.
More recently, the company initiated the expansion of its FirstLine production operation in India, adding a second plant on the premises to increase output of these critical solutions to meet growing global demand. The addition represents a continued technological advancement of the facility while adding 400 new jobs.
The expansion was initiated in 2019, just before the Covid-19 pandemic struck. Datwyler quickly pivoted business efforts to prioritize the safety of employees and their families. Once vaccines became more readily available, Datwyler set up an on-site clinic and shared education surrounding the vaccines and their effectiveness to encourage employees and their families to get vaccinated. India’s Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers, who serve as a link between their communities and the public health system, have provided an enormous amount of support to communities across India. Before Covid-19, they focused on preventative education on general health issues. When Covid-19 began to spread, they shifted their focus to become frontline workers dedicated to caring for individuals affected by the disease. Throughout the pandemic, Datwyler has provided the ASHA workers with safety kits and protective materials, and they hosted a ceremony of appreciation for ASHA workers, recognizing all of their hard work and dedication to the health and safety of people across the country.
Datwyler is focusing on high-quality, system-critical elastomer components and has leading positions in attractive global markets such as healthcare, mobility, general industry and food & beverage. With its recognized core competencies and technological leadership, the company delivers added value to customers in the markets served. With more than 20 operating companies, sales in over 100 countries and more than 7,000 employees Datwyler generates annual sales of more than $1,000 million. Within the healthcare solutions business area, Datwyler develops, designs, and manufactures solutions for injectable packaging and drug delivery systems to facilitate customers to create a safer medical environment of tomorrow. Looking back onto more than 100 years of history, Datwyler is a reliable partner, now and in the future! The company has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 1986 (security no. 3048677). www.datwyler.com
