High Performance Drying of Pharmaceuticals
Market-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.
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
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.
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 Validation
With decades of experience, Hosokawa Micron is your expert partner in developing efficient, validated, and GMP-compliant processing solutions. Run trials with your own materials at our 2,000 m² Test & Process Development Centre in the Netherlands to determine the optimal process, equipment or plant setup for your sterile antibiotic production.
We offer lab and production-scale trials, supported by a detailed technical report covering setup, process parameters and performance insights—helping you choose the best solution with confidence.
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Let our process specialists help you identify the most suitable solution for your materials, process requirements and production goals.
Sustainable process technologies
Hosokawa Micron B.V. is committed to sustainable and responsible process technology. Our ISO 14001 certification covers key environmental aspects such as air, soil, energy, waste, water, noise and hazardous substances. With an EcoVadis Silver Medal, we rank among the top 3% of EcoVadis-rated companies in the special machinery industry.
