Ireland will play a key role in advancing the EU’s new pharmaceutical and industrial strategies. As a major hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing, Ireland is the world’s third-largest exporter of pharmaceuticals, with over 85 pharmaceutical companies operating in the country and approximately 40,000 people employed in the sector.
Central to the EU’s strategies is the goal of maintaining strong pharmaceutical production in Europe while utilizing Industry 4.0 digital technologies to reduce costs and facilitate the creation of new, more targeted therapies. Ireland aligns with these objectives, having developed its own Industry 4.0 Strategy to position the country at the forefront of the intelligent manufacturing revolution.
This strategy is designed to promote the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, support businesses in leveraging these technologies, and ensure the Irish workforce acquires the necessary skills to drive Industry 4.0 transformation. Additionally, Ireland is establishing a new Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC) to help companies understand where and how to integrate emerging technologies, aiding their transition from traditional manufacturing to next-generation digital operations.