CSL Limited has broken ground on a $1.5 billion expansion of its biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Kankakee, Illinois, a project aimed at boosting the production of plasma-derived therapies used to treat rare and life-threatening conditions.

The expansion of the company’s existing plant in Kankakee is expected to significantly increase output of therapies such as immunoglobulin and albumin. The upgraded facility is scheduled to become operational by 2031, according to company officials.

Jobs

The investment will also create at least 300 permanent pharmaceutical manufacturing jobs, while supporting approximately 800 construction and related positions during development.

Company executives and state officials marked the start of construction during a groundbreaking ceremony attended by JB Pritzker, governor of Illinois, along with local and industry leaders.

The project will use the company’s Horizon 2 manufacturing process, a proprietary technology that increases immunoglobulin yield from donated plasma and generates more therapies from the same raw material.

“This site expansion marks an important step forward in increasing efficiency by incorporating new manufacturing technology,” said Mary Oates, executive vice president and chief operating officer at CSL.

According to the company, the Kankakee facility currently employs more than 1,200 full-time workers and plays a key role in its global production network for plasma-derived medicines.

Previous investments

The latest project builds on a broader investment strategy by the company in the United States. Since 2018, CSL has invested more than $3 billion in U.S. operations, creating over 6,500 jobs nationwide and expanding its domestic manufacturing capacity.

Officials said the expansion will help meet growing global demand for plasma-derived therapies used to treat conditions such as Hemophilia, Primary Immunodeficiency, and Hereditary Angioedema, as well as emergency medical situations including trauma and severe burns.

Governor Pritzker said the investment highlights Illinois’ role as a major hub for life sciences manufacturing and will strengthen domestic production of critical therapies while supporting regional economic growth.

Large-scale healthcare and biopharma construction projects are on the rise in the U.S. Recently, Lee Health marked the topping-out of its $824 million Fort Myers Hospital, Southwest Florida’s largest-ever healthcare construction project, highlighting a broader trend of major investments in critical medical infrastructure.

CSL Kankakee Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Expansion: Project Fact Sheet

Project: CSL Kankakee Manufacturing Expansion

Company: CSL Limited

Location: Kankakee

Investment Value: $1.5 billion

Project Type: Biopharmaceutical manufacturing expansion

Construction Jobs: Approximately 800

Permanent Jobs Created: At least 300

Operational Target: 2031

Technology: Horizon 2 plasma-processing manufacturing system

Purpose: Increase production of plasma-derived therapies such as immunoglobulin and albumin

Previous U.S. Investment: Over $3 billion since 2018