Big new build to make NZ wool go even further
Biotech innovator Keraplast is making bold strides into the global medtech sector, with a multi-million dollar investment in a state-of-the-art clean room manufacturing facility nearing completion at its Christchurch site.
Stephen Attkins
Keraplast, a world-leading biotechnology company renowned for extracting bioactive keratin proteins from regeneratively farmed New Zealand wool, is expanding its capabilities to produce a new range of medical technology products.
This move comes just one year after New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon toured the company's then newly-opened beauty and personal care manufacturing plant.
The company’s latest development—a purpose-built clean room and on-site laboratory—marks a strategic leap into the highly competitive global medtech market.
The facility will allow Keraplast to manufacture medical-grade keratin-based products, with an initial focus on the United States before expanding globally.
Regulatory approval processes are currently underway in multiple jurisdictions.
“We’re unlocking the full potential of keratin with this expansion,” says Stephen Attkins, general manager for medtech and API at Keraplast.
“This investment allows us to deliver world-class medtech solutions using sustainable and bioactive NZ-sourced ingredients.”
The integration of medtech operations within the existing beauty and personal care business has proven to be a successful strategy, both in terms of operational efficiency and team collaboration during planning and construction phases.
The clean room recently reached a major milestone with the installation of a specialized air handling unit, moving the project one step closer to operational status.
Adding to the momentum, Keraplast has already secured a major international export partner and confirmed significant pre-production orders, signalling strong demand and confidence in the new product line.
With the facility expected to open in the coming months, Keraplast is positioning itself as a formidable player in the medtech export space—leveraging scientific innovation, sustainable sourcing, and New Zealand’s reputation for quality.