- This is the first laboratory of its kind in Latin America.
- Coyol Free Zone congratulates ECI on this important project, which represents a significant step forward in its capabilities and regional service offering.
Alajuela, November 5, 2024. As of today, Coyol Free Zone has the first commercial laboratory for packaging testing, distribution simulation, and stability (aging) testing, thanks to an investment of more than US$5 million made by the U.S. company ECI (formerly CRx) in this Industrial Park.
This is an expansion of its capabilities and services in this Free Trade Zone. As a result, ECI, which began operations in Coyol Free Zone in 2019, continues to advance its growth plan and contribute to the local economy.
This facility, unique in Latin America, is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and designed to adapt to the requirements of demanding sectors, such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals, electronics, transportation, and logistics, among others.
“This laboratory represents a key step in the comprehensive value proposition of ECI. It underscores our unwavering commitment to Costa Rica and the Latin American region in general, by fostering high-value local capabilities driven by knowledge, cultivating world-class technical talent, and strengthening the strategic role of the region in the global Life Sciences supply chain”, said Brijesh Patel, CEO of ECI.
The 1,300 m² laboratory will offer its services directly to companies located within the Park and nationwide, which previously had to rely on suppliers outside Costa Rica to meet these needs.
This represents an improvement for companies based in the Coyol Free Zone and in Costa Rica in general, by minimizing risks, shortening validation times, and offering improvements in efficiency.
“We are thrilled that ECI has decided to grow alongside us with the opening of this modern laboratory in our Park. Coyol Free Zone is a strategic hub for innovation and business growth, so this opening represents an important step in strengthening our on-site supplier ecosystem”, said Carlos Wong, Managing Director of CODE Development Group, co-developer and operator of Coyol Free Zone.
He explained that with each new project, the capacity to offer comprehensive solutions to companies operating in the Park is expanded, thus promoting collaboration, efficiency, and competitiveness. “These investments confirm the unique conditions that make Coyol Free Zone a strategic destination for new investments and the development of more projects that generate value and sustainable growth”, assured Wong.
The new ECI laboratory was designed with a long-term vision. It has space for future expansion to promote sustainable growth and innovation for its customers. It includes stability chambers (accelerated and real-time aging), environmental conditioning chambers, and a packaging integrity evaluation station with vacuum chambers.
In addition, they feature advanced technology for simulating real transport conditions, such as vibration, drops, compression, altitude, impact, and complete distribution cycles, backed by a real-time monitoring system that guarantees accuracy, traceability, and compliance with international standards.
As the leading park for medical device exports in Costa Rica, Coyol Free Zone generates foreign sales of US$4.4 billion per year, representing 54.9% of Costa Rican exports in this sector.
This Free Zone currently hosts the successful operations of thirty-four Life Sciences and Smart Manufacturing companies, which provide more than 24,500 quality jobs and high-value manufacturing processes, knowledge, and technology transfer. They also generate significant productive linkages with local suppliers.