SECTORS
Pharmaceuticals Sector Expertise
The pharmaceutical industry operates within some of the most highly regulated and controlled environments worldwide. Contamination prevention, GMP compliance, sterile environments, hazardous substances and sensitive equipment all influence how facilities are designed, operated and ultimately decommissioned.
RVA Group provides specialist pharmaceutical engineering consultancy, project management, health and safety oversight and technical advisory services to ensure the safe delivery of complex projects across manufacturing, R&D, quality control and laboratory environments.
We assist clients through the full lifecycle—FEED definition, operational life extension, decommissioning, demolition and site redevelopment—ensuring every stage is delivered safely, efficiently and in full compliance with regulatory and quality requirements.
Front end engineering design for pharmaceutical projects
FEED in the pharmaceutical sector requires exceptional precision due to GMP regulatory demands, contamination sensitivities and the declassiifcation of highly specialised plants.
RVA supports pharmaceutical clients with:
- Feasibility and options studies for facility modification or closure
- Engineering assessments for sterile and cleanroom environments
- Utility isolation strategies (WFI, HVAC, gases, steam, effluent)
- Contamination control and cleaning/decontamination definition
- Asset removal strategies in GMPregulated zones
- Cost modelling and project phasing
Our approach ensures hazards, contamination risks and operational impacts are engineered out of the project from the outset.
Asset operational life span in pharmaceutical facilities
Pharmaceutical assets often evolve as production requirements change, making structured lifecycle planning essential.
RVA provides lifecycle consultancy including:
- Feasibility and estimate studies
- Decontamination strategies and contamination verification
- Feasibility of repurposing vs decommissioning
- Full decommissioning
- Partial replacement of components
- Emergency response following a major event following a number of potential reasons: fire, explosion, structural integrity issues
RVA provides independent advice to support the safe removal of assets whether for demolition or reuse. RVA helps clients identify the safest, most efficient and commercially beneficial pathway.
Pharmaceutical decommissioning expertise
RVA provides expertise in decommissioning pharmaceutical facilities and provides the following services and deliverables:
- Decommissioning strategy development
- Controlled decontamination
- Removal of hazardous and regulated materials
- Documented cleaning verification
- Strict adherence to environmental and GMP regulations
- Regulatory and contamination planning
- Engineering definition of decommissioning scope
- Risk, cost and feasibility studies
- Stakeholder coordination within live GMP environments
- Technical oversight and contractor auditing
The RVA team ensures demolition activities are delivered safely, efficiently and in full regulatory alignment.
Demolition and dismantling of pharmaceutical assets
Demolition and dismantling within pharmaceutical environments requires precise planning to manage contamination risks, hazardous materials (including asbestos) and various chemicals, medicines, including bio hazards, to ensure protection of people and sensitive environments whilst complying with strict regulations.
RVA provides pharmaceutical decommissioning and demolition consultancy, supporting the safe removal of equipment and infrastructure in controlled environments. We work with the supply chain to develop detailed methodologies and provide technical oversight to ensure work is carried out safely and efficiently.
Our expertise ensures that projects are delivered in line with regulatory requirements while minimising disruption to surrounding operations.
Site remediation for pharmaceutical developments
Following decommissioning or demolition, sites often require remediation to meet environmental standards and prepare for future use. RVA supports clients with remediation planning, regulatory compliance and redevelopment strategies.
Our integrated approach ensures sites are returned to a safe, compliant condition while aligning with long-term commercial and environmental objectives.
Involving RVA at an early stage and potentially integrating any environmental remedial requirements into the demolition project, can significantly reduce project timelines, overall project costs and liabilities.
Pharmaceutical sites may require remediation for:
- Chemical, solvent or API residues
- Wastes from historical processes
- Effluent treatment infrastructure
- Hazardous materials including asbestos or specialist insulation
RVA develops remediation strategies aligned with environmental and regulatory standards, restoring sites to safe and compliant condition for future use.
Pharmaceutical Sector Project – Eli Lilly, Windlesham
RVA supported Eli Lilly with the decommissioning of a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Windlesham. Working within strict GMP environments, RVA provided FEED input, decommissioning strategy, risk assessments and technical oversight.
The project involved the controlled removal of process equipment, utilities and controlled environment spaces while maintaining high compliance standards.
This project demonstrates RVA’s ability to operate within complex, regulated pharmaceutical settings.
The following link provides RVA's project summary on this project.
Talk to us about your pharmaceutical project
Whether you are managing ageing assets, planning a transition or preparing for redevelopment, our team can support clients through every stage of the project lifecycle, managing and reducing risk, safety, health, enabling efficient and commercially focused solutions.
For more information talk to one of the RVA teams about your pharmaceutical project requirements.
