Granulation Unit meets pharmaceutical requirements.

Press Release Summary:

Available for 3 batch sizes, GranuLean combines mixing, granulating, and drying for manufacturing of pharmaceutical granules. Gentlewing high shear mixer mixes and granulates active ingredients and excipients and is emptied via integrated wet mill. Pneumatic transfer pipe then transfers wet product to fluid bed module, where it is dried through inflow of Diskjet distribution plate. Equipped with 21 in. touchscreen interface, GranuLean uses recipes to control all process and cleaning steps.


Original Press Release:

Bosch Market Launch: New Granulation Unit Huttlin GranuLean

Compact solution for high-quality granulation processes
Efficient and compact granulation unit
Consistent focus on basic pharmaceutical requirements
Optimally harmonized components

Frankfurt/Main, Germany – At Achema 2015, Bosch Packaging Technology presents the new granulation unit GranuLean for the first time. Developed by the Bosch subsidiary Hüttlin GmbH, it combines the process steps of mixing, granulating and drying for the manufacturing of pharmaceutical granules. “The name GranuLean stands for a lean and compact machine, which can be easily integrated into production rooms and focuses on the basic requirements of pharmaceutical producers,” Fritz-Martin Scholz, product manager at Bosch Packaging Technology, explains. “By concentrating on the essential basic functions within fixed dimensions, we have developed an especially efficient granulation solution.” The GranuLean exhibited at Achema for instance saves valuable production room with its 6 meters length and 3.4 meters height. The new development is available for three different batch sizes and is based on Hüttlin’s long-standing process technology experience.

Simplified construction, uniform Human Machine Interface
As opposed to tailor-made granulation lines, the most important functions of GranuLean are installed by default. “The high level of standardization now enables us to fulfill customer demands for a complete and quickly available system at the accustomed high quality,” says Scholz. Thanks to the easy alignment of machine components on site, the granulation unit can be installed quickly and easily. All process and cleaning steps can be controlled via recipes. The operator interface is a 21-inch touchscreen with user-friendly navigation.

Smooth product flow through integrated wet mill
The process for manufacturing pharmaceutical granules begins by pneumatically filling the high-shear mixer. The mixing device Gentlewing, which is driven from below, mixes and granulates the active ingredients and excipients. The highshear mixer is emptied via the equally newly developed, integrated wet mill.

Communication between mill and Gentlewing ensures that only as much product is emptied as the mill is able to process, which prevents the mill from clogging. A pneumatic transfer pipe subsequently transfers the wet product to the GranuLean fluid bed module, where it is dried through the inflow of the proven Diskjet distribution plate. The function of process filters is crucial to obtain high yields: for this reason, Bosch has developed a new process filter, where the elements are serially cleaned with compressed air pulses. At the end of the drying process, the product is emptied by a dry mill.

Apart from the high-shear mixer, granulation can also take place in the fluid bed by using a tangential or top spray process. GranuLean is available for a containment level of up to OEB3 (Operational Exposure Band). The machine remains closed during operation, while inflatable seals on the product containers provide for an optimum draughtproofing. Moreover, the integrated cleaning system ensures an even easier handling.

Tablets and capsules in line
Suitable handling equipment makes it possible to combine the new granulation unit to a compact line, for instance with the new tablet presses of the Manesty TPR range. Alternatively, the granule can be filled into stick packs or capsules, for example with the new GKF 2600 capsule filling machine from Bosch.

Bosch’s technologies are on display at Achema in Frankfurt/Main, Germany, from June 15 to 19, hall 3.1, booth C71.

Contact: Contact person for press inquiries:
Fritz-Martin Scholz
phone: +49 7622 6884-131

Christin Poenisch
phone: +49 711 811-58502

Based in Waiblingen near Stuttgart, Germany, and employing 5,600 associates, the Bosch Packaging Technology division is one of the leading suppliers of process and packaging technology. At over 30 locations in more than 15 countries worldwide, a highly-qualified workforce develops and produces complete solutions for the pharmaceuticals, food, and confectionery industries. These solutions are complemented by a comprehensive after-sales service portfolio. A global service and sales network provides customers with local points of contact. Additional information is available online at www.boschpackaging.com

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. The company employs roughly 360,000 associates worldwide (as per April 1, 2015), and generated sales of 48.9 billion euros in 2014, according to preliminary figures.* Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 440 subsidiary and regional companies in some 60 countries. Including its sales and service partners, Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. In 2014, Bosch applied for some 4,600 patents worldwide. The Bosch Group’s strategic objective is to create solutions for a connected life. Bosch improves quality of life worldwide with products and services that are innovative and spark enthusiasm. In short, Bosch creates technology that is “Invented for life.”

Additional information is available online at www.bosch.com, www.bosch-press.com, http://twitter.com/BoschPresse

*The preliminary sales figure disclosed for 2014 does not include the former joint ventures BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH (now BSH Hausgeräte GmbH) and ZF Lenksysteme GmbH (now Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH), which have since been taken over completely.

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