Siemens technologies digitalize Polpharma’s processes
ZF Polpharma is launching the implementation of an advanced MES-class system – Opcenter Execution Pharma. Siemens’ solution will streamline product flow and quality control processes, and enable the digitalization of production reports. The implementation is scheduled to be completed by 2028.Zakłady Farmaceutyczne Polpharma S.A., one of Poland’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturers, has signed an agreement with Siemens Sp. z o.o. for the delivery and implementation of the MES (Manufacturing Execution System) – Siemens Opcenter Execution Pharma. The project was initiated in January 2025 and is expected to be completed by 2028 at the latest. As part of the collaboration, Siemens will provide licenses, engineering services (implementation), team training, and application and post-implementation support to Polpharma’s facilities in Sieradz, Starogard, Nowa Dęba, and Duchnice.Full transparency of production processes
The Opcenter Execution Pharma system will provide control over process execution and enable a reduction in the release time of production batches. Thanks to the solution’s cloud-based architecture, Polpharma employees will have real-time access to the system from any location. A key benefit of the system’s implementation is the near-total elimination of paper-based batch reports, replacing them with electronic records.
The largest MES project in Polish pharmaceuticals “The implementation of Siemens’ MES system is the largest project of its kind in Poland’s pharmaceutical industry. To remain competitive in both domestic and international markets, we must be flexible and precisely control our processes. Additionally, thanks to harmonized processes within the organization, time savings in reporting and data administration, and the ability to respond immediately to process deviations, the MES system implementation will lead to better cost efficiency for the company and even stronger quality performance,” emphasizes Dorota Chęć, Director of the Sieradz production plant and Management Board Member of ZF Polpharma S.A.
Marcin Płatkowski (Managing Director Process Automation, Siemens Sp. z o.o.) Maciej Zieliński (CEO Siemens Sp. z o.o.) Dorota Chęć (Head of Production Site / Member of the Management Board, Polpharma Group) Dr Thomas Nothegger (MBA, Head of Industrial Operations, Polpharma Group) Krzysztof Raczyński (Head of Manufacturing Excellence, Industrial Operations, Polpharma Group)
Release by exception One of the key functionalities of the new system will be the so-called "release by exception." This is a concept used in production and quality control, where manual review of the batch report is not required each time, provided that no significant deviations from established process and quality parameters have occurred. This means that the Qualified Person (QP) responsible for releasing the production batch does not need to analyze dozens of pages of the report. It is sufficient to review a summary of deviations or changes in the process compared to the defined standard.
Krzysztof Raczyński (Head of Manufacturing Excellence, Industrial Operations, Polpharma Group) Marcin Płatkowski (Managing Director of Process Automation, Siemens Sp. z o.o.)
Effective implementation To optimize the process, the companies decided on a phased implementation of the system, taking into account the harmonization of production processes across different locations. Full implementation will first take place at the Sieradz plant, followed by the remaining production units.“We chose a hybrid model for implementing the MES system, combining agile methodology with the so-called ‘waterfall’ approach. Our goal is to accelerate the process as much as possible while enabling rapid use of new solutions in individual units. This way, Polpharma will quickly benefit from the implementation,” – says Marcin Płatkowski, Director of Process Automation at Siemens Poland.