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When developing and launching new products, speed is a critical factor. However, sensitive ingredients and solvent-based processes often present manufacturers with technological challenges. In process expert and plant manufacturer Glatt’s upgraded technology centre, support from initial idea and scale-up to industrial production is readily available.
At the company’s Technology Centre in Weimar, Glatt operates a unique fluid bed system that processes solvent-based products in a vacuum or using nitrogen as the process gas. As such, demand is high for scale-up tests, product sample production or short-term contract manufacturing services until the client’s own production plant has been commissioned.
However, a new fluid bed granulator and coater for innovative solvent-based processes has recently become available. The batch-mode apparatus is ideal for small and medium campaigns that include frequent cleaning cycles. Special explosion protection measures, a 12 bar pressure shock-resistant design and a scrubber to separate the solvents ensure a high level of safety for both employees and the environment. The superior hygienic conditions also allow the production of Kosher and Halal food products. Not only does the facility’s production capacity now reach into the three-digit tonne range, a new laboratory also allows feasibility tests on fluidised bed and spouted bed systems to be done under GMP conditions.
Customers benefit from optimal conditions when it comes to optimising product properties. These include better bioavailability, flowability and the absence of dust, improved solubility, tabletable agglomerates, pellet formulations with functional coatings, controlled release spraying of active ingredients, extracts with solvents, drying of solvent-based products and the microencapsulation of volatile and sensitive substances.
Products requiring improved bioavailability are emulsified and coated in a liquid phase by micro- or nano-encapsulation. However, granules or pellets that are dust-free, easily compressible and have a longer storage life are preferred when formulating final products. Spray granulation in the fluidised bed for drying and granulate formation in one step is the first choice for this. In addition to the capacity expansion, the existing plant can also now accommodate continuous spray granulation processes.