Australia's CSL Picks Illinois for U.S. Production Expansion

By Stuart Condie

SYDNEY--Australia-based pharmaceutical company CSL will expand its Illinois manufacturing facility under a previously announced $1.5 billion move to increase U.S. production.

CSL, which produces plasma-derived therapies for conditions including bleeding disorders and immune deficiencies, on Tuesday said it expected the expanded Kankakee facility to be operational by 2031.

"This site expansion marks an important step forward in increasing efficiency by incorporating new, innovative manufacturing processes and technology into how we produce the plasma-based medicines needed by so many people," CSL Chief Operating Officer Mary Oates said.

CSL said its move to increase U.S. production was based on its business needs and the Trump administration's policies, which include tariffs on goods made overseas.

Last year, the ASX-listed company announced the $1.5 billion investment in U.S. production without identifying a location.

CSL collects plasma from donors in more than 300 clinics across the U.S. for processing at its Illinois facility, which has about 1,200 employees. The company also has a vaccine facility in North Carolina.

CSL has 19,000 employees in the U.S., equivalent to about 60% of its group total. CSL expects the latest investment to create at least 300 new pharmaceutical jobs.

Write to Stuart Condie at stuart.condie@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 09, 2026 19:45 ET (23:45 GMT)