U.S. Plans for More than $5.5 Billion in Medical Device Projects

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Written by Eric Funderburk for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land Texas)

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Summary

Medical devices, which include everything from rubber gloves to syringes to robotic surgical instruments, are big business in the U.S., where Industrial Info is tracking more than $5.5 billion of current and potential projects to research, develop and manufacture the devices and equipment that keep the medical sector functioning.

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Big Device Pipeline

With what may be the largest research and development pipeline in the world, the United States is responsible for some of the most cutting-edge devices available in the medical sector.

Industrial Info is tracking more than $5.5 billion worth of underway and planned medical device capital projects, including more than $1.6 billion worth that are under construction. While North Carolina represents the state with the highest future potential investment in this sector, Illinois leads in the value of projects actually turning dirt. While not attracting the largest investments, Puerto Rico leads in the number of both planned and underway projects in the U.S. medical devices sector.

The Illinois Project

Illinois' leading $311 million in investment stems from a single project with multiple components. PCI Pharma Services is adding more than half a million square feet to its drug-delivery device plant in Rockford and fitting out a significant portion of that area for packaging capacity. PCI manufactures devices such as vials, pre-filled syringes, autoinjectors and cartridges.

With the rapidly rising use of GLP-1 drugs has come an increase in the use of syringes and autoinjectors. Consultancy McKinsey & Company in a May 2025 report noted, "Demand for GLP-1 autoinjectors is expected to create a large market for device or syringe technologies, primary containment components, and raw materials across the value chain by 2028. Medical players could consider investing in companies that specialize in these technologies."

PCI is in the process of fitting out more than 100,000 square feet of its new building space for its injection-device production and has plans to complete the entire process later this year. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Project Database can learn more by viewing the related project reports.

Other Underway Projects

Coming in at around half the value of PCI's Illinois projects, a South Dakota-based project from 3M spinoff Solventum aims to produce topical aids and devices such as tapes, films and dressings. Under construction since 2023, this significant plant expansion is setting up the Brookings, South Dakota, facility to be a major hub for the fledgling Solventum, which was officially formed in 2024--after the project had already begun under the auspices of 3M. In addition to manufacturing space, the facility will include wet labs, significant warehouse space, and more than a dozen shipping docks. Subscribers to Industrial Info's GMI Project Database can learn more by viewing the project report.

What's Happening in Puerto Rico?

While Puerto Rico represents the highest number of U.S. medical device projects, the investments are relatively small in comparison with what's happening on the mainland. One of the largest projects comes from CooperVision, a subsidiary of CooperCompanies, a California-based medical device firm that boasts US$3.9 billion in worldwide revenue and 15,000 employees across 130 countries.

In order to increase production of the company's contact lens lines, CooperVision is converting more than 20,000 square feet of warehouse space into increased production capacity. The project, which kicked off last year and is expected to be completed later in 2026, includes the addition of significant equipment such as lathes, injection molding equipment, laser cutters, milling and grinding equipment, and more. Subscribers can click here to learn more about the project.

CooperVision already is adding more square footage to the facility as well.

What's Coming to Puerto Rico?

Attracting the highest number of future capital projects, Puerto Rico boasts a range of planned medical device projects, including even more from CooperVision. The California company is planning even more construction at its Juana Diaz facility, where it is converting warehouse space into production lines, as well as restarting a closed contact lens facility in Ponce by next summer.

Like CooperVision's Juana Diaz projects, another future project in Puerto Rico stems from one underway at the moment. Michigan-based Stryker Corporation is wrapping up renovation and equipment additions at an existing building to develop surgical instruments, with a particular focus on endoscopy equipment. When this first phase of renovation and additions is completed this summer, Stryker plans to add more space to the 244,000-square-foot facility to grow production even more starting from the summer of 2027 onwards. Subscribers can learn more by viewing the related project reports.

Future North Carolina Device Projects

North Carolina's Research Triangle area, anchored by Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, represents a significant hotspot for the U.S. medical sector. The state's $8.3 billion in planned pharmaceutical and biotech projects includes more than $775 million of medical device projects still in the planning and engineering stages.

One of these largest components of planned investment in the state is for drug-delivery devices such as injectors, autoinjectors and syringes, representing more than $400 million of future investment. Some of these include pre-filled injection devices that include either neutral intravenous solutions such as saline or medications.

Eli Lilly is investing in a plant expansion in Concord to manufacture both delivery devices and pre-filled injectables containing drugs for diabetes and obesity. The project is expected to kick off later this year and be completed in 2027. Subscribers can click here to learn more about the project.

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About IIR News Intelligence
IIR News Intelligence is a trusted source of news for the industrial process and energy markets, powered by Industrial Info Resources' Global Market Intelligence (GMI).

About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 Trillion (USD).