Retractable Technologies, Inc. Expands in Texas

On July 1, 2020, Retractable Technologies, Inc. (RTI) entered into a Technology Investment Agreement with the United States Government Department of Defense, on behalf of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) for $53.7 million in government funding for significantly expanding the domestic production of safety needles and syringes.

RTI, a syringe manufacturer contracted by the Department of Defense's Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND) to assist the US government in manufacturing "low dead space" syringes used to administer the COVID-19 vaccine.

While most of the funding for this grant is earmarked for production equipment, assembly equipment, molding equipment, and other auxiliary equipment, it also includes an additional 27,800 square feet of controlled environment for production and assembly equipment.

RTI is currently constructing a new 55,000 square-foot warehouse for supply chain management and product storage as part of the project. In addition, in May of 2021, the TIA was modified by $27 million to expand the assembly line and production floor space for manufacturing 1 mL low dead space (LDS) safety syringes. In November 2021, RTI added an additional 13,390 square feet that includes a board room, conference room, executive offices, office area, fitness area, locker rooms, restrooms, a breakroom, and a porch.

The total amount for the TIA is more than $81 million.

RTI's expansion will provide 149 new manufacturing jobs and administrative positions, a critical benefit after the COVID-19 pandemic proved devastating to many employers. Other additional features of the expansion include automated assembly lines that will require supportive machinery, including molds and molding machines, packaging machines, and other ancillary equipment.

The Little Elm EDC worked closely with RTI on this project and grant. With the support of Judge Eads and the Denton County Commissioners, Denton County EDC also played a vital role in the RTI project.

"We greatly value our partnership with RTI and look forward to the completion of their expansion," said Little Elm Economic Development Corporation's Executive Director, Jennette Espinosa.