Custom synthesis (CDMO): Feedstocks
Why raw materials barely matter when the customer pays for them
What this tab covers What it is made from and what it feeds: the raw materials and energy per tonne with their share of cost (linked to the commodity table), who is low-cost and why, and the chemicals made from it.CDMOs buy whatever the customer process needs: KSMs, reagents, catalysts, solvents and, for biologics, media and single-use bags. Inputs are usually passed through to the customer, so the economics depend on asset utilisation and skilled labour rather than feedstock prices. Cheap, stable utilities and solvent recovery still matter for small-molecule margins.
Inputs per tonne
| Input | Quantity per tonne | Role | Share of cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil Crude oil | PMI 168-308 kg per kg for small molecules (indicative) | reaction media and building blocks | raw materials 39.5% of Divi's Q4 FY26 sales | BoB (May 2026) |
| KSMs and advanced intermediates | process-specific | building blocks | not published | qualitative |
| Skilled scientists and GMP staff | not applicable | core input | large for CRO-CDMOs (not published) | qualitative |
Who is low-cost, and why
Indian and Chinese CDMOs have lower labour and construction costs than Swiss or US firms; Western firms win on regulatory track record, location and complex modalities.
What it is made into
| Product | Note |
|---|---|
| API Small-molecule APIs | innovator API supply |
| Pep Peptides and oligonucleotides | specialist CDMO segment |