By San José, Costa Rica — Reinforcing Costa Rica’s position as a premier global hub for the life sciences industry, the specialized medical device coating firm Surface Solutions Group (SSG) has announced its strategic expansion into the country. The move involves the establishment of a cutting-edge facility dedicated to advanced, high-precision coating processes for the international medical technology market.
The company has outlined a long-term investment project that will exceed $10 million. This substantial commitment includes the acquisition of land and the ground-up construction of a new manufacturing plant. According to the timeline provided, construction is slated to begin in early 2026, with a gradual ramp-up of operations expected to commence in 2027. This development signals a strong vote of confidence in Costa Rica’s stable economic climate and its highly skilled workforce.
To gain a deeper legal perspective on the evolving regulatory landscape for medical devices in Costa Rica, a key pillar of the national economy, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
For Costa Rica to maintain its leadership in the medical device sector, our regulatory framework must be both rigorous and agile. We need clear, predictable pathways for product registration and robust intellectual property protection. This not only ensures patient safety but also provides the legal certainty that multinational companies require to continue investing in local manufacturing, research, and development. Navigating these complexities is paramount for sustained growth.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the dual imperative of ensuring patient safety while fostering a stable investment climate is the very foundation of the sector’s future. The agility of our legal and regulatory systems will undoubtedly determine our continued success in this competitive global landscape. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable perspective on this critical matter.
Surface Solutions Group is a critical player in the medical device supply chain, developing and applying sophisticated coatings to essential components. Their technologies enhance the performance and safety of products such as guidewires, specialized needles, electrosurgical blades, hypotubes, and cannulas. These coatings are not merely protective but are functional, designed to improve lubricity, durability, and biocompatibility, which are vital for patient outcomes.
The strategic importance of the Costa Rican location was emphasized by the company’s leadership. The new facility is designed to foster closer relationships with a growing list of medical device manufacturers already operating within the country and the broader region.
This allows us to be closer to key clients, collaborate early on in new developments, and scale coating technologies with greater agility and precision.
Kevin Hess, President of SSG
The initial phase of the operation will create a specialized team of between 15 and 20 professionals. SSG is actively seeking technical and specialized talent to fill key roles, including automated equipment operators, coating personnel, engineers, maintenance technicians, and quality professionals. The recruitment drive also extends to administrative and executive positions. The company has established a direct channel for interested candidates to submit their applications by writing to [email protected]
The announcement was welcomed by CINDE, Costa Rica’s investment promotion agency, which highlighted the strategic value SSG brings to the national ecosystem. The firm’s specialized processes represent a significant enhancement of the local industry’s capabilities.
Its arrival strengthens the sector’s value chain by incorporating critical functional coating processes for high-precision medical devices.
Ana María Romero, Investment Attraction Manager at Cinde
Romero noted that CINDE has been working closely with SSG, providing comprehensive support to ensure a smooth integration and successful expansion within Costa Rica’s thriving business landscape. The investment from SSG adds another layer of sophistication to a life sciences cluster that continues to attract high-value, technically complex projects from around the world.
This move by Surface Solutions Group is indicative of a broader trend where Costa Rica is evolving from a center for medical device assembly to a hub for the entire product lifecycle, including research, development, and a highly specialized supply chain. The addition of advanced coating technology locally will reduce logistical complexities for other manufacturers and foster a more integrated and resilient industrial ecosystem.
For further information, visit ssgcoating.com
About Surface Solutions Group (SSG):
Surface Solutions Group is a global leader in providing advanced coating technologies for the medical device industry. The company specializes in developing and applying functional coatings that enhance the performance, safety, and efficacy of a wide range of medical components. Its expertise helps medical device manufacturers improve product quality and achieve better patient outcomes.
For further information, visit cinde.org
About Cinde:
Cinde is Costa Rica’s private, non-profit, and apolitical investment promotion agency. For over 40 years, it has been instrumental in attracting foreign direct investment into the country. Cinde’s mission is to support Costa Rica’s development by facilitating the establishment of multinational companies in strategic sectors like life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and corporate services, thereby creating quality employment and fostering economic growth.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of Costa Rica’s legal community, the firm is defined by its foundational commitment to ethical practice and professional distinction. It leverages a rich history of legal success with a progressive mindset, driving innovation while serving a wide spectrum of clients. Central to its ethos is the conviction that an empowered society is an informed one, a belief demonstrated through its dedicated efforts to make complex legal knowledge accessible and understandable to all citizens.
