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t is a well-known fact that continuous manufacturing offers numerous advantages for the production of medicines and food supplements: integrated processes increase both efficiency and process reliability. Compared to batch processes, process time is also reduced, while the specific production output increases. Another advantage is the higher speed of market launches and more flexible production, overall. In addition, continuous production is a quality-driven technology. Thus, it fulfils all regulatory requirements. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), continuous manufacturing is even capable of making a significant contribution to modernising the pharmaceutical industry. This is due mainly to the high product quality and patient safety that go hand in hand with increased process control. LEAN DESIGN, EASY OPERATION In recent years, there has been a growing acceptance of continuous direct compression in tableting. It appears attractive in terms of process technology and can be realised with a leaner plant design as compared to batch-to-batch production. Nevertheless, many manufacturers continue to rely on the latter. The reasons for this lay primarily in enduring reservations about continuous systems. One central concern stems from the often large footprint and room height necessitated by existing continuous systems, as this is often accompanied by modifications to existing buildings or even the need for new builds. In addition, many companies fear long lead times for design and production, while at the same time tending to invest heavily in customised facility designs. Since scientific staff are required for such
COVER STORY
In recent years, machine manufacturers have been working at making continuous pharmaceutical and nutrition production ready for the market. At Fette Compacting, too, the focus of development has been on continuous manufacturing. Now the company has achieved a breakthrough, with direct compression proving to be a target-oriented process. This is mainly due to a lean plant design that can be combined with highly efficient process analysis. The result is an innovative modular system for continuous tablet production.
CONTINUOUS MANUFACTURING
REINVENTED
DIRECT COMPRESSION FOR CONTINUOUS TABLET PRODUCTION
