+31 314 373 333Market-leading drying specialist Hosokawa Micron has reported increased interest in its advanced drying technologies and competitive processing options for pharmaceutical production. Driven by policy changes in healthcare spending that demand cost efficiencies and faster time-to-market, pharmaceutical manufacturers are exploring new technologies to meet the demands of complex pharmaceutical products.
PHARMA
Process technologies for tomorrow.High Performance Drying of Pharmaceuticals
Hosokawa Micron offers multiple solutions for FDA, cGMP and GAMP compliant pharmaceutical drying using a range of technologies including vacuum and freeze drying. Their portfolio includes new developments in CIP and aseptic design, data acquisition and control systems, and operational choices that can influence end product characteristics. This makes Hosokawa a preferred choice for manufacturers looking for combined technical expertise and pharmaceutical processing know-how, from R&D to full production facilities. Hosokawa Micron technologies are proving popular in the quest for more competitive pharmaceutical production. We work closely with customers to determine how we can provide the best individual processing solution, regardless of capacity or product and process requirements.
Conductive Drying
Nauta conical vacuum dryer
Conductive drying, a gentle method suited to heat-sensitive products, evaporates liquids at low temperatures, particularly under vacuum, leaving powders with less than 1% moisture. This method is often used in conjunction with an upstream centrifuge, delivering powders with 20-30% moisture content to a conical vacuum dryer.
Hosokawa Micron, well-known for the Nauta® Conical Vacuum Dryer, has recently introduced a conical paddle dryer to their pharmaceutical range. The Nauta dryer mixes by gravity to produce high-quality particles without damaging them, thanks to low agitator shear, which also results in low energy consumption. The final product is lump-free, unlike tumble dryers that form snowball-like lumps, increasing drying time.
Conical Paddle Dryer (CPD)
The Conical Paddle Dryer (CPD) has a central shaft with paddles that keep the entire batch in constant motion and add shear forces to the mixing process, resulting in a higher heat transfer coefficient. The relatively low build height of the CPD allows it to be installed in confined spaces. However, if the product goes through a sticky phase, the Nauta dryer is recommended. This can only be accurately determined after a product trial at the Hosokawa Micron Test Centre.
Both types of vacuum dryer are completely closed, making them suitable for pharmaceutical production; no potentially toxic gas can escape into the environment and no air or bacteria can enter to contaminate the product.
Aseptic Processing
The fully contained systems allow for aseptic processing. Spray nozzles enable effective CIP cleaning, and SIP is achieved through pressurized steam or vaporized cleaning agents as required. Sanitary design and engineering principles include sterilisable dynamic seals, no lubricants in the product zone, polished, crevice free dryer internals for easy cleaning, and a bottom valve discharge with no dead zone for complete vessel emptying.
Nauta conical vacuum dryers have no bottom screw support, making it easy to remove the orbital arm from the top without needing to access the vessel. To complete the full cGMP design, the dryer and filter are fitted with fixed spray balls and nozzles for CIP/SIP cleaning.
Controls & Data Acquisition
Hosokawa Micron offers a range of solutions for data acquisition and control for automated systems. These provide a variety of reporting solutions and advisory selections designed to support cGMP, GAMP 5, and 21 CFR Part 11 compliance requirements and maintain smooth plant operations. By integrating processing machinery with an efficient control system infrastructure, Hosokawa Micron maximizes value by reducing downtime and costs through analysis, reporting, and notification mechanisms.
TESTING & PROCESS DEVELOPMENT
Our Test and Process Development Centre in the Netherlands offers unique possibilities for testing your product to determine the most efficient process, system or plant prior to final design. We can provide laboratory-level as well as production-sized trials.
Whether you wish to test a single machine or a complete powder processing system, the same skilled and experienced staff are here to help ensure that your requirements are met, and that you are entirely satisfied with the results.
We offer process equipment and technologies from individual units to large scale bespoke system solutions. Our principle is to deliver high performance yet affordable solutions that meet our customers' demands and long term challenges.
Let our expert help you
Talk to our seasoned experts and let them help you craft the perfect solution for your powder and bulk solids processing needs, ensuring optimal efficiency and peak performance.
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Sustainable Processing Systems
Hosokawa Micron B.V. is certified according to ISO 14001. Our certification covers all environmental themes of ISO 14001: air, soil, energy, waste, water, noise and hazardous substances. In addition, Hosawa Micron was awarded an EcoVadis Silver Medal for its sustainability achievements. EcoVadis determined that the company was among the top 15% of companies rated by EcoVadis in the special machinery industry.
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