✨ WELCOME TO THIS NEW ISSUE!  ✨

👋 Good morning everyone, here you have this new edition​❣️
 

As in every issue of the Valtria Internal Newsletter, in this new issue we present the latest updates on:
 

• 🌍 PROJECTS - ST Microelectronics, Catania
• 👀 DON'T MISS IT! - Highlights, latest news, events...
• 💬 PUBLISHED ARTICLES - How Annex 1 GMP affects the airlocks and material transfer systems in cleanrooms.
• 👤LET'S TALK ABOUT PEOPLE - We interview our new colleagues.

📝 INTRODUCTION - WHAT IS ST MICROELECTRONICS?

ST MICROELECTRONICS is a leading global high-tech company developing semiconductors for a smarter, greener and more sustainable future.

It is one of the global leaders in the field of microelectronics with production sites in various locations such as France, USA, Singapore, Italy and China.

💰ST has an annual turnover of $17.29 billon.
📈 In 2023 growth of 7.2%​.

These figure clearly reflect the size of our client. 

 

✨ WHAT MAKES THIS PROJECT SPECIAL?

ST Microelectronics Catania is a special project because once completed it will become the first global SiC (Silicon Carbide) plant. 

📍This is a breakthrough technology, as the production of semiconductors based on this component will be a step forward compared to traditional Si (Silicon). This campus receives a major grant from the European Union, with a total investment estimated at €5.4 billion.

✅ The advantages of SiC vs. Si are the improvement in parameters such as: 

• the critical break field providing a higher efficiency (+800%)
• noticeable reduction in product dimensions.
• energy band gap (+300%) with a benefit in component cooling and finally.
• a substantial increase in thermal conductivity (+310%). [...]
   

📝  PROJECT PURPOSE WHAT IS TO BE DONE? 

📌 The cleanroom project has a surface area of 3,000 m2 and a room height of 3.8 m. The temperature and humidity requirements are 21ºC and <55%, but the critical point of the project is the room classification, being ISO 6 in 75% of the rooms, reaching ISO 4 in the remaining 25% of the rooms, for which a final filtration U-16, ULPA-16, has been necessary.

🌪️ This required a total outside air volume of 272,000 m3/h taking into account the process extractions and a large air recirculation of 2,171,198 m3/h thanks to the Fan Filter Unit (FFU) technology.

🗓️ PROJECT PLANNING AND ROLES

🏅This project was secured by our subsidiary Valtria Swiss AG through Thomas Krauss and Fidel Schupfer. The first contact with the client was made in the year 2021 and a preliminary detailed engineering phase was carried out by our Swiss delegation, supported by our BIM colleagues in Madrid, Andrea Rubio and Elena González.

🎯Subsequently, the commercial phase took place with the help of our commercial manager Dureid Qazzazie, winning the contract for Valtria in the last quarter of 2022.

💪Mention should be made of the work and support in the first construction phase at the beginning of 2023 by Elena González and the almost 3 months relocated Argentinean colleague Lucas Gómez.

✴️ The main people responsible for the execution of the project: 

• Thomas Krauss: Project Manager & Validation-Qualification. Main client contact.
• Pirmin Eggenreich: Senior Site Manager, Responsible for Health and Safety, validation-qualification. Main on-site contact with the client and subcontractors.
• Andrea Rubio: BIM Project Coordination Technician, assistance with Site Manager tasks, cleanroom architecture specialist, validation and qualification. 
• Enrique Luján: On-site Engineering and Studies Technician, assistance in Project Manager tasks, purchasing, validation and qualification.
• Patrick Landis: Automation Expert from our Swiss branch. Integrated management and programming of FFUs and DnC cabinets.

❣️Mention must be made of the punctual collaboration of the logistics department located in Barcelona and the site assistance technicians of the Basque Country delegation.

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

• MAHUs: A special feature is the installation of two 120,000 m3/h Make-Up Air handling units [...]
• CCW: 133 water coils have been installed in the air returns located in the perimeter of the rooms [...]
• FFU: the installation of 1,135 FFUs has been required for an air recirculation of 2,171,198 m3/h  [...]
• Pruebas de Validación: All tests passed satisfactorily.[...]

PROJECT CHALLENGES

👀 Every member of the team who has spent a long stay in Catania can write a book full of anecdotes.

💫 One of the most critical challenges of the project has been the change of the client's directive mid-way through the project, which meant a radical change in the project design, with most of the purchases being made in line with the original design. It went from an initial contract of €12.7m to a final figure of €18.1m, all resulting from all the modifications, which speaks of the great adaptability and resilience of the team deployed in Catania.

Another of the challenges to be highlighted has been the high demands of the client in terms of deadlines, which, thanks to the daily efforts of the team, have been met with satisfactory results. Finally, it is also worth mentioning the adaptation to Italian subcontractors and their way of working, overcoming adverse difficulties.
 

> DOWNLOAD THE FULL DOCUMENT

🔵 VALTRIA SPAIN SUCCESSFULLY RENEWS ITS QUALITY CERTIFICATIONS

Once again, we are very proud to have renewed our certifications:

• ISO 9001, ISO 14001 e ISO 45001
   

In this way, we reaffirm our commitment to quality, sustainability and occupational health and safety.

💪 The renewal of these ISO certifications not only strengthens our position in the market, but also drives us to continue to grow and improve, to achieve excellence in all our processes and services.

🙌 We would like to thank our colleague Silvia Yuste, GIS Manager, and the team of Health and Safety Managers in Spain, Vanessa Espelta and Ignacio Camona, for their work and effort. Thank you team!​
 

🌸✨WE CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT DAY! 💫💜

🌍 At VALTRIA, we believe that every action counts when it comes to protecting our planet. Therefore, our vision is:

💬 "To be an internationally recognised, trustworthy company that provides services, technological solutions and innovations, ensuring that our customers work in controlled, safe and sustainable environments and processes" ☘️

At VALTRIA, we are driven by:

🔧 Developing technologies and solutions that minimise environmental impact and promote energy efficiency.

🌱 Implementing recycling policies and responsible resource usage across all our operations.

🌎 Educating and raising awareness among our employees and collaborators about the importance of environmental care.

👣 Because every small action adds up to a greener and cleaner future.

💊 SWISS CLEANROOM COMUNITY EVENT🧫

🔴 We returned to the Swiss Cleanroom Community Event in Pratteln, where we reaffirmed our commitment to the pharmaceutical industry by offering expertise in the development and production of drugs and medical devices.

This event represents a crucial meeting point to foster synergies between the GMP industry and the cleanroom industry.

⚡It was a great opportunity for new contacts and collaborations.

👀 From left to right:
🔹 Esa Högel and Dureid Qazzazie.

🔵LOUNGES CLEANROOM PROCESSES

VALTRIA Swiss participated as an exhibitor at Lounges Cleanroom Processes 2024, the leading international event for cleanrooms in the pharmaceutical industry. 
 
🗣️ Our experts shared all the services we offer in customised cleanrooms for controlled environments, biosafety installations and process-oriented turnkey solutions.

In addition our partner Dureid Qazazzie gave two lectures:
📋 The first one on the challenges in the porduction of ATMP's.
📈  And the second one, on the production of SiC-based wafers and epitaxials, taking as a reference the ST Microelectronics project in Catania.

✴️ A3P MOROCCO

🔴 VALTRIA attended the A3P Morocco event together with CLAUGER. 

For more than 30 years, A3P has brought together an international network of experts to meet the technological and regulatory requirements of the pharmaceutical, bioproducts and cosmetics industries. 

🧑🏻‍🤝‍🧑🏼 Our colleagues presented the latest innovations in our sector.
🔹Frederic Pascual, SME & QA Manager, Valtria
🔹Gilles Couton, Directeur de la division Valtria Clauger Afriquia - Maroc

😊 It was a pleasure to attend!
 

🔝 CONGRESO UPCELL

🔋 VALTRIA attended the Upcell Congress in Milan.

🤝 As proud partners of the Upcell Alliance, we are pleased to have participated in this event that strengthens the battery industry in Europe and strengthens our local partnerships. 

🚀Over the two days, our partners Dureid Qazzazie and Jon Telleria:
🔹shared learnings.
🔹They explored the latest innovations and trends in this sector while connecting with industry leaders and subject matter experts.

🌍 ISPE EUROPE 2024

✨ Our Global Chief Operating Officer, Juan Subarroca, also Vice President of ISPE Argentina, represented Valtria at the ISPE Europe 2024 Annual Conference in Lisbon, Portugal.

📖 This is an Annual European Conference that attracts pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical professionals from all levels of the industry, from students and emerging leaders to the most senior executives in drug manufacturing, supply chain, devices, equipment and services, and global regulatory agencies.

🌐🔬 ¡One more step towards excellence in our industry!

🔵DALUX USER DAY

🚀 Valtria attended the event organised by Dalux, where our colleague Adrián Alvaredo showed a concrete example of how we make the most of the Dalux tool in our projects.

💡During his speech, Adrian highlighted how the close collaboration between teams and the efficient use of technology are driving exceptional results in our projects.

✔️ Once again, we reinforce our commitment to excellence in execution and continuous improvement of our processes.

🙌 We continue to move forward together towards success!
 

🦺 SAFETY DAY

😁 At VALTRIA Madrid we have celebrated our Safety Day!

🎉 We are very happy to have launched this initiative to promote the safety culture in our company and to make us more aware of how important it is to take care of our health and safety at work. ⚠️

We also had the collaboration of Bayer's HSE manager. And of course, with Ignacio Carmona, our Health and Safety Manager, who led this initiative.

💪 Let's keep working to maintain a safe and healthy working environment!

🎤 VALTRIA PORTUGAL IS SWIFTIE! 🤩

🎉 Our VALTRIA Portugal colleagues enjoyed Taylor Swift's concert.

🌟 The Portuguese delegation generously provided tickets to the team and families to attend Taylor Swift's highly anticipated concert at Estádio da Luz, Lisbon.

💙 Being able to offer these tickets has been an unforgettable experience.

✨✨This night was sparkling! ✨✨

🌍 VALTRIA EN TITULARES

📢 Great news! VALTRIA in the headlines. We have been featured in Expansión as a reference in design and installation of clean rooms worldwide. 

👀 Take a look at the complete news: NEWS
 

🔵ANNUAL EXCELLENCE IN BATTERY FACTORY 

VALTRIA and CLAUGER at the 𝟮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗗𝗿𝘆 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻, 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺. 

On 6 and 7 June, Valtria and Clauger presented the global offer for the battery market in Warsaw, Poland.
 

👇 From left to right:

🔹Enrique Corral (Business Development Director, VALTRIA)
🔹Olivier Canet (Air Pollution Control Manager, CLAUGER)
🔹François Bordeneuve (Sales Engineer Large Projects, CLAUGER)

🏆 CONGRATULATIONS TEAM VALTRIA!

🥎 VALTRIA sponsored and participated in the XII Pharmaceutical Industry Padel Tournament organized by Pharmatech ⭐ held at La Moraleja Padel Club, Madrid.

🏸A fantastic sports day where the VALTRIA player duo, comprising: Ruben Rodriguez Manso and Antonio Walter Bazán, became ABSOLUTE RUNNERS-UP of the tournament🥈. 
Congratulations champions!🏆

🙌 After the prize giving ceremony, sponsors and the organization presented a €2,000 cheque to Fundación CRIS against Cancer for their ongoing research efforts.
 

🏃‍♂️ WE'VE GIVEN IT ALL IN THE KLM NORTH VS SOUTH RACE! 🏅

👟Part of the VALTRIA Madrid team laced up their trainers and hit the streets to show we're more than just office mates: 

We are a real team!💪

📢 It was a day full of: teamwork, commitment and outreach.

🙌 Thanks to all who ran.

✨ We keep adding kilometres and good times together!
 

HOW ANNEX 1 AFFECTS MATERIAL AIRLOCKS AND SAS

Author:  

• MIGUEL RUIZ, GMP Consultant.
   

The main purpose of a Cleanroom or Controlled Area is:

•  to isolate operations and processes from the external environment, which is considered uncontrolled and highly contaminating. 

However, the very dynamics of the operations and processes require continuous interaction with the outside, both for the entry of raw materials and materials into the Cleanroom and for the exit of finished products and waste from the Cleanroom to the outside.

Continuous interaction with the outside or with other parts of the lower Grade within the Controlled Area is one of the main sources of contamination and a fundamental point to consider in the design of a Controlled Area.

 

Annex 1 GMP defines an Airlock as an enclosed space with interlocked doors, constructed to serve as a physical separation and to maintain air pressure control between adjacent rooms (usually with different air cleanliness standards).

The purpose of an airlock is to prevent the entry of particulate contamination and micro-organisms from a less controlled area. Therefore, whenever there is a change of GMP Grade between rooms there must be an airlock.

Annex 1 also defines "Pass-through hatch", as a synonym for airlock, but usually smaller in size. [...]

🔵 AIRLOCKS

• Material Airlocks: The fundamental task of airlocks is to protect the room they access. The level of protection offered by the airlock should be proportional to the room's cleanliness grade.
• Material Airlocks to Areas A or B
• Material Airlocks to Areas C and D
• Airlock
• Decontamination Airlock

🔵 SAS

• Pass-through SAS
• Dynamic SAS
• Dynamic SAS Connected to the HVAC System

> READ FULL ARTICLE

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN VALTRIA?
The decision to join Valtria is to be able to grow, learn and contribute my knowledge.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT VALTRIA?
For being a growing company with large projects in expansion, with a team committed to its employees, which gives me the opportunity to continue to grow professionally and personally.

AND OUTSIDE VALTRIA, WHAT ACTIVITIES DO YOU ENJOY IN YOUR FREE TIME?
I like cycling, hobby modelling and above all I enjoy spending time with my family.

A WORD THAT DEFINES YOU:
Persistent.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN VALTRIA?
Exciting with a global specialist company within my working field.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT VALTRIA?
Specialist company with broad and wide cleanroom experience and the possibility for the different delegations to support each other.

AND OUTSIDE VALTRIA, WHAT ACTIVITIES DO YOU ENJOY IN YOUR FREE TIME?
Sports, travelling, different projects including landscaping/gardening in our summerhouse, handicraft (ceramics, painting, etc.), cooking

A WORD THAT DEFINES YOU:
Solution oriented

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN VALTRIA?
I saw an opportunity to specialise and develop in my profession.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT VALTRIA?
After other experiences, I believe that Valtria promotes the human factor, I attach great importance to the company's philosophy, it is about a relationship of symbiosis and mutual trust.

AND OUTSIDE VALTRIA, WHAT ACTIVITIES DO YOU ENJOY IN YOUR FREE TIME?
Spending time with friends and family, trekking, camping, swimming, drawing, reading

A WORD THAT DEFINES YOU:
Legal

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN LITEK?
My previous company went through a period of transition, due to a change of management, which was very long and intense for me, so I decided to change.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT LITEK?
The best thing about these companies is the colleagues and the teamwork.

AND OUTSIDE LITEK, WHAT ACTIVITIES DO YOU ENJOY IN YOUR FREE TIME?
I like to relax in the sun, study psychology, go for walks and learn new things.

A WORD THAT DEFINES YOU:
I think people are too complex for that.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN VALTRIA?
I thought it was a great opportunity to be part of a company that has grown rapidly and exponentially, with a team of people who love what they do and in a sector that is so important today.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT VALTRIA?
The passion I see in the team. They also want to integrate you when you are a newcomer and make you part of the group.
Activities are organised to help with that, and I think that's very good. 

AND OUTSIDE VALTRIA, WHAT ACTIVITIES DO YOU ENJOY IN YOUR FREE TIME?
I love reading. I love doing sports, cross-fit, yoga and running. I love trekking.
I really enjoy theatre, cinema and a good session of some streaming platform with a blanket and popcorn. And of course, I rarely say no to any plan with good friends.

A WORD THAT DEFINES YOU: Resilience

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN VALTRIA?
Working with specific software such as MagiCAD opened doors for me. It was my great opportunity to work in a company of reference in the sector, and with a fantastic group of professionals from different fields.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT VALTRIA?
The collaborative spirit, the ability to work, the general atmosphere.

AND OUTSIDE VALTRIA, WHAT ACTIVITIES DO YOU ENJOY IN YOUR FREE TIME?
I love cooking, walking in the woods with my water dog Bruno, picking mushrooms, a good film and meeting friends.

A WORD THAT DEFINES YOU:
I like to make things effective.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN VALTRIA?
An acquaintance who works at the company presented me with the opportunity to apply for a university internship here. I applied and they accepted me.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT VALTRIA?
The environment. I was very pleasantly surprised by the way people treated me. People treat me very well and it's much appreciated.

AND OUTSIDE VALTRIA, WHAT ACTIVITIES DO YOU ENJOY IN YOUR FREE TIME?
I love music and have been playing guitar for almost 2 years. I have a rock band with my friends and I have fun like a little kid!I also like to play videogames (either alone or with friends), I enjoy reading a lot (although unfortunately I've lost the habit a bit) and I love going to the cinema (movies and series I also like). So in my free time I do any of the activities I have mentioned.

A WORD THAT DEFINES YOU:
I think "close". "Friendly” could also be. But then again, people are too complex to be defined by just one word! 

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN VALTRIA?
It is a company where I can develop in my field of expertise, plus they have reach in several countries in Latin America and Europe which gives added value and growth opportunities.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT VALTRIA?
Definitely what I like the most about Valtria is the field it is dedicated to, which is vast and allows you to learn and develop on a daily basis if you really love what you do.

AND OUTSIDE VALTRIA, WHAT ACTIVITIES DO YOU ENJOY IN YOUR FREE TIME?
Definitely being with my family, a fundamental part of my life outside of Valtria is to exercise and continue to develop myself through reading and courses of my interest always accompanied by my little doggy friend Zeus.

A WORD THAT DEFINES YOU:
Pragmatic

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN VALTRIA?
I can learn a lot of new things, develop myself further and contribute my knowledge.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT VALTRIA?
I like the work, it`s versatile. The company operates internationally. The colleagues are very helpful.

AND OUTSIDE VALTRIA, WHAT ACTIVITIES DO YOU ENJOY IN YOUR FREE TIME?
I spend a lot of time with the family. Otherwise, I like to do sports.

A WORD THAT DEFINES YOU:
Solution-oriented

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN VALTRIA?
I decided to join Valtria to broaden my knowledge as a professional, as well as to take on the challenge of belonging to a company with a presence in other countries.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT VALTRIA?
I like the fact that I can learn personally and professionally from people from other parts of the world.

AND OUTSIDE VALTRIA, WHAT ACTIVITIES DO YOU ENJOY IN YOUR FREE TIME?
I am a big football fan, I like to watch and play football. Besides that I have also been doing pole sport competitively for a few years now, it is an activity that I really enjoy.

A WORD THAT DEFINES YOU:
Resolute.