Casablanca – Bayer, a global life sciences company specializing in healthcare and nutrition, has marked twenty years of industrial operations in Morocco, highlighting the growing strategic importance of its Casablanca production site within the group’s global pharmaceutical network. Established in 2005 in Nouaceur, the facility is Bayer’s only manufacturing plant on the African continent and has gradually evolved into a regional export hub serving markets across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

The anniversary was commemorated this week through a press event and guided site visit attended by Moroccan institutional representatives, members of the German diplomatic corps, industry professionals, and media. The occasion provided an opportunity to review the site’s development trajectory, its current industrial performance, and its medium- to long-term expansion plans.

A singular industrial footprint in Africa

The Casablanca plant is integrated into Bayer’s global Consumer Health manufacturing network, which includes twelve sites worldwide. From Morocco, the facility supplies family health medicines and dietary supplements to 42 countries across the EMEA region. Its production portfolio includes widely distributed brands such as Aspirin, Rennie, Supradyn, and Berocca.

According to operational data presented during the event, the site generates annual revenue of approximately $35.1 million, with exports accounting for about $25.8 million. Exports currently represent around 60% of total activity, a share that Bayer expects to increase to nearly 80% over the medium term as additional production volumes are allocated to Casablanca.

This export-oriented positioning reflects industrial decisions made at group level, where Bayer compares several manufacturing sites before assigning production volumes. The evaluation process takes into account production capacity, quality standards, regulatory compliance, and overall cost efficiency.

Cost competitiveness and quality standards

Management at the Casablanca site indicated that its competitiveness lies in maintaining international quality standards while achieving production costs that are lower than those of European facilities. Factory-level costs, whether calculated at the plant gate or delivered to Europe, are reported to be 10% to 15% below comparable European sites, without compromising regulatory or quality requirements.

The plant currently employs 104 staff members and operates under a wide range of national and international certifications, including GMP, HACCP, ONSSA, HALAL, EU GMP, and Tanzania GMP. Preparation is also underway to obtain IFS Food certification, reflecting the site’s increasing involvement in health supplements and consumer healthcare products.

Quality control is integrated throughout the production process rather than being limited to final inspection. Raw materials are verified upon receipt, production lines are continuously monitored, and finished products undergo systematic checks before release. Most active ingredients and key inputs are sourced through Bayer’s centralized global procurement system, ensuring consistency across the group’s manufacturing network.

Capacity expansion through the “Noor” project

Looking ahead, Bayer has launched a major capacity expansion initiative at the Casablanca site under the “Noor” project. The program aims to increase production volumes in response to growing export demand and additional mandates from the group.

Under the project, the number of production lines will increase from four to seven, including the addition of new technologies such as granulation. Once completed, annual production capacity is expected to rise from approximately 193 million tablets and capsules to around 1.7 billion units by 2030. The expansion will be implemented progressively and will involve new industrial investments, further regulatory approvals, and workforce growth, with staff numbers projected to reach about 174 employees.

In parallel, Bayer plans to integrate new product lines, including the full incorporation of the Rennie brand, and to launch a dedicated packaging line for international e-commerce distribution by 2026. This initiative reflects the group’s adaptation to changing pharmaceutical distribution channels and cross-border direct-to-consumer models.

Environmental and sustainability measures

The expansion strategy also includes environmental components. Planned measures include the installation of rooftop solar panels to reduce energy dependence, the development of a wastewater treatment facility to manage industrial effluents, and ongoing work to improve the sustainability of packaging materials.

These initiatives align with broader environmental requirements imposed across Bayer’s global manufacturing operations and reflect increasing regulatory and market expectations regarding industrial sustainability.

Morocco’s position in regional pharmaceutical manufacturing

German diplomatic representatives attending the anniversary emphasized the broader economic context of Bayer’s presence in Morocco. German companies collectively employ more than 35,000 people in the country, and Morocco ranks among the top three destinations for German foreign direct investment in Africa, alongside Egypt and South Africa.

Within this framework, the Casablanca plant is presented as an example of long-term industrial anchoring rather than short-term production outsourcing. Over two decades, the site has contributed to job creation, supplier development, and the gradual integration of Morocco into Euro-African pharmaceutical value chains.

As Bayer enters its third decade of industrial activity in Morocco, the Casablanca facility is positioned less as a local production unit and more as a regional manufacturing platform. Its future development will largely depend on its ability to maintain cost competitiveness, meet evolving regulatory standards, and adapt to shifts in global pharmaceutical distribution—while continuing to serve as the group’s sole industrial gateway to the African continent.