health & beauty Costs, counterfeiting and · PDF filebeing replaced by BFS (blow fill seal) ... technology we catch you if you try to make up a 30 ... a conveyor and two vacuum

HEALTH & BEAUTYSPECIAL FEATURE

INDEX

Pharmaceutical

Cost saving equation 30 - 31

Round up 32 - 33

On show at Achema 34 - 37

Cosmetics round up 38

The pharmaceutical sector is now viewing adifferent landscape from the one it was looking atonly two or three years ago. The steady flow ofnew drugs has slowed to a trickle while manymajor ʻblockbusterʼ products are reaching the endof their patent protection. Generics and low-costdrugs are also challenging the sectorʼs ability toinnovate, while the fight against increasingnumbers of counterfeit drugs continues.

And as pharmaceutical companies continue toconsolidate in search of cost savings and productrationalisation, it all adds up to challenging timesfor processing and packaging machinery suppliers.

However it is clear that machinerymanufacturers continue to play a key role inpharmaceutical production and have the ability tohelp companies realise their financial goals, whileat the same time fulfilling the ever tighterregulatory and security standards required intodayʼs markets.

CostsIf the last pharmaceutical feature in MU(November/December 2008) highlighted thearrival of low cost sourcing, the intervening periodhas not lessened this pressure. Instead thepharmaceutical majors are expecting even morefrom their equipment in order to come to gripswith more flexible production (to accommodatesmaller batch sizes), as well as counterfeiting andbrand protection issues.

As Andrew Longworth of Koerber Medipakcommented, “There is a relentless pursuit ofincreased OEE (overall equipment effectiveness)for processing and packaging lines. To meet thischallenge every aspect of machine operation andperformance must be examined and optimised.

“The challenge to the machine manufacturer isto provide the technologies which enableminimum downtimes, especially for changeovers,but also for the routine operations of themachine.”

He continued, “A direct consequence of thepursuit of OEE is the examination of overallequipment lifecycle costs – basically, the costs ofownership”.

Oystar representative, Derek Moore agrees,

“Companies are looking for tool-less changeoversand built in CIP (clean in place) as standard. Alsomachine footprints are becoming smaller due totighter floor space requirements.

“Low cost sourcing of equipment from India andChina is a worrying trend. Most of these lines arelow or medium speed and used for simpler tasks.But whilst they seem to be good value at theoutset the high running costs due to runningefficiencies, service costs and parts/maintenanceavailability can make them expensive in the longrun. They also have to be CE Marked and areunlikely to be 21CFR PT.11 compliant.”

Longworth added: “Today the fashion forpharmaceutical equipment is that it is modular inconstruction, with mechanically simple,proprietary, digital servo drives. These havesignificant advantages in the cost of ownershipstudies.”

Continued on page 30

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health & beauty

Costs, counterfeitingand consolidation

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health & beauty - pharmaceutical

Medicineidentification

Continued from page 29hat about robots as part of the costsaving equation? Well, while the influx isnot yet dramatic, the use of robots in

clean room functions has been increasing whilethe robotic top loading of pharma products intocartons is replacing sideloaders. Top loading, inparticular, has advantages for smaller batchsizes, as it offers more flexibility on pack typesand patterns as well as much shorter changeovertimes between formats.

Sustainability also plays its part in overall costsof production. Longworth provides an example:“For some applications such as pre-filled syringesthat are not terminally sterilised, cartonboardpackaging can show clear advantages. The packis mono-material, is readily recycled and offers aminimum pack volume for a product that requirescold chain logistics.”

Other material/machine developments showincreased use of single use syringes, glass vialsbeing replaced by BFS (blow fill seal) installationsfor injectable or ophthalmic products and, asreported in MU March/April 2009, stickpacks areincreasingly popular for some single dosemedicines, particularly digestive treatments. Withthe ability to put more and more liquid products insticks and the convenience of doses in thisformat, usage is likely to show growth well abovethe 30 per cent recorded in 2007.

SecurityThe principles of tamper evidence and childresistant closures are well established. But theneed for anti-counterfeiting features in packdesign is becoming increasingly important.

To quote Pat Reynolds, editor of PackagingWorld, in a recent article on Brand Authentication,“Pharmaceutical manufacturers have a real battleon their hands as the World Health Organisationestimates that counterfeit drug sales could reachUS$75 bn by 2010.”

Many companies see the first and most obviousline of defence in 2D datamatrix barcode trackand trace systems, and several companies in thecoding field have developed and installed these atmajor pharmaceutical production plants. Thesecodes can be applied to every component in thepackage, for example, carton, tube and even theleaflet.

Next comes RFID tagging for cases and pallets,enabling wholesalers, distributors and retailers to

check the provenance of the unit quickly andeasily. Sometimes RFID may be used on theindividual products too, as a customer preference.

Finally, at least for the time being, e-Pedigreedata management software links the whole chaintogether. So this ʻchain of custodyʼ will includemanufacturer, contract packer (if used),wholesaler, distributor and retailer. At every stagethe unique ID of the product is stored along withother vital information such as batch code, expirydate, invoicing details and any other data requiredfor retrieval along any part of the chain.

This may sound simple but it is not and itcomes at a cost. Better counterfeiters will comeup with ways to circumvent even these complexsafeguards. So both existing and new

technologies are being developed all the time tomake it harder to copy.

One such security solution from Kodak in theUSA uses a traceless tag which is embedded intoa thermal transfer ribbon. As a label destined forthe product passes through the print head itreceives the traceless tag as well as a humanreadable graphic. The tag can be read only by alaser based reader.

The printer also generates a unique ID on thelabel in two formats: a 24 character readablecode and a 2D datamatix bar code. An encryptiondevice generates a unique serial number with analgorithm which cannot repeat it.

As Elliott Grant of Yottamark, which makes theencrypter, explains, “Counterfeiters have noincentive to make one fake, they need to make anabundance of fakes to make money. With ourtechnology we catch you if you try to make up a

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The PrintSpect inspectionhandling system introducedby Laetus meets all medicineidentification standards suchas EFPIA or the French CIP13 regulation (GS1 DataMatrix), to be enforced byDecember 31, 2010.

PrintSpect is equipped witha conveyor and two vacuumbelts that control each carton,leaving the entire superiorsurface and both sidesaccessible for marking.

It supports any kind ofprinting or marking device toguarantee an optimum datamatrix quality, says thecompany.

The Laetus Inspect wtcamera system performs thequality measurement,conforming to ANSI/ASCIIstandards and inspects thesell-by date, batch numberand marketing authorisationnumber.

Only products ofacceptable quality will beallowed to pass through to therest of the packaging process,states Laetus.

The control camera islinked to the marking deviceand only one adjustment isnecessary for printer andcamera set-up. Invalid orwrongly printed material willbe rejected by an integratedeject station.

There is a choice of threeconveyor models in widthsfrom 0.70m - 1m, handlingfrom 150 to 400 cartons/minute.

PrintSpect is compliant withpharmaceutical requirements,made from stainless steel andeasy to service, according toLaetus. T: +44 (0) 1480 414242E: [email protected]

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Cost saving equation

W


number, we catch you if you copy a bunch ofnumbers and we catch you if you try to re-use aset of numbers that have already been used.”

Of course quality of packaging, holograms andother traditional counterfeiting measures still havean important part to play. But in this increasinglysophisticated ʻwarʼ the weaponry is alsobecoming more complex and is being led bymachine technologies.

ConsolidationSince the beginning of 2009 Pfizer hasannounced its merger with Wyeth, Merck withSchering-Plough and GlaxoSmithKline hasbought Stiefel. So the pace of consolidation hasincreased rapidly as the world economic outlookhas deteriorated.

But in times of economic hardship thepharmaceutical sector has historically more thanheld its own globally, showing growth of 5 percent year on year in recent times. The BRICeconomies provide not only low costmanufacturing platforms but also huge,expanding markets. So we must look elsewherefor explanations for this sudden increase inactivity and what the implications are formachinery suppliers.

Regulatory issues have slowed down theapproval of many new drugs considerably. Andthere is an opinion that much of the ʻlow hangingfruitʼ has already been picked. With manyblockbuster products out, or soon to be out, ofpatent protection the search for growth has

returned to acquisitions. The GSK purchase ofStiefel, for example, opens it up to a range ofproven dermatological products, as well as givingit access to Stiefelʼs expertise in this area for ownbrands.

Rationalisation of resources is always going tofollow. As Derek Moore comments, “Takeoversand closures mean there is much surplus plantavailable. This might be good for upgrades,spares and re-deployment, but it will dampen newmachinery sales.”

Of course the advance of biopharmaceuticalsand nanotechnology will provide opportunities fornew machinery developments. In additiondiffering delivery devices, such as transdermalsand inhalations as well as self-administeredinjectables will need different packaging solutions.While 50 per cent of drugs are still taken orallyand packed in bottles and/or blisters, this meansthat 50 per cent are not!

The futureWith the latest round of mergers comes thestrong belief in some quarters thatpharmaceutical companies want to divestthemselves of ʻnon coreʼ activities, which in thiscase can mean the production and packaging oftheir products. Certainly some people think thiswill lead to a rise in the size, numbers andimportance of contract manufacturers andpackers.

This can present its own set of opportunitiesand challenges. As Alan Green of US contractmanufacturer/packer DPT Laboratories said toPackaging World recently, “We have to be allthings to all people. Our customers are all overthe map when it comes to what they think theyneed in the way of anti-counterfeiting measures…We have to listen to all of them”*.* Some items used in this article first appeared inthe January 2009 issue of Packaging World underʻBrand Authenticationʼ. For a full copy of thatarticle visit www.packworld.com

Sauven Marking now offersthe 2D Data Matrix barcodeapplication in the Sauven6000Plus, Sauven 1000 andSauven 7000 series, to helpfacilitate new barcodelegislation.

The machines can offerdynamic digital art workingsystems used in late stagecustomisation allowing variedtext and coding systems aswell as dynamic sequentialnumbering of packs. This canlead to improved track andtrace and productauthentication capabilities.

Pharmacies across theEuropean Union will berequired to read 2D DataMatrix codes on allpharmaceutical and drugpackaging from January 2011.

Traditional 1D barcodes canonly hold a limited amount ofinformation and can now bereplaced by 2D barcodeswhich can hold much moredata, such as best beforedates, batch/traceabilitynumbers and serial codes.T: +44 (0) 1932 355191E: [email protected]

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FURTHER INFORMATION

Koerber MedipakT: +44 (0) 1753 754865E: info@

uk.koerber-medipak.com

Oystarwww.oystar.de

Kodak -Graphic Communicationshttp://graphics.kodak.com

Yottamarkwww.yottamark.com

Help withlegislation




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health & beauty - pharmaceutical EnhancedcartoningModifications have beenmade to UETʼs compactcartoning machine specificallyfor the pharmaceutical market.An enhanced version hasbeen installed recently withinthe UK at a leading globalpharmaceutical manufacturer,says UK representativeSpringvale Equipment.

As many pharmaceuticalproducts contain hazardousmaterial UET has changed themachine plate style to ensurethat there is no chance ofparticles/droplets being left indifficult to clean areas ordropping to the floor. Otherfeatures include codingsystems, synchronisation withvision inspection systems,checking leaflets, cartons andpharma codes.

In cases where productshave more than onecomponent additional productsensors have been built intothe machine, enabling theoperator to be alerted if thereare any missing parts. Theoperation is then halted until

the carton is filled correctly orremoved.

Health & Safety has beenenhanced by fitting securityswitches onto access doorsallowing them only to beopened when the machine isin the stop position and notduring cycling.T: +44 (0) 1420 542505E: springvale@

springequip.co.uk

For Thornton & Ross, the largest independentOTC pharmaceutical manufacturer in the UK andowner of brands such as J Collis Browneʼs andHedrin, the number of possible combinations oflabel, carton and Patient Information Leaflets runsinto thousands.

To address the issue of printed componentverification, the company has traditionally used asystem of stringent, but time consuming, manualchecking, complemented by reconciliation counts.Due to increased demand for its products andnew machinery investment it decided to look for abetter system and approached Omron.

There were two particular system requirements.First, any changes to the printed items should notnoticeably degrade their appearance – this wasparticularly important for labels and cartonsdisplayed at point of sale. Second, updating thesystem to cater for new products and changes inexisting products should be a fast, easy andreliable process.

The most obvious solution was to provide eachitem with an optically readable code. Unfortunately,

the normal barcodes for this process would haveoccupied a considerable amount of space, puttingpressure on the area available for essentialinformation.

To avoid this, DataMatrix two-dimensionalcodes were adopted and providing readingfacilities for the codes was straightforward, as theOmron optical sensor range includes unitsspecifically designed for this application.

The printed component verification systems onall of the Thornton & Ross production lines arenetworked via the Ethernet to a single PC runningOmronʼs Excel based data managementsoftware, PLC REPORTER.

The final key item in the project was theprovision of an intuitive operator interface at eachpackaging machine. The Omron NS8 colourtouch-screen operator terminals were chosen,with each terminal being linked to theprogrammable controller that handles the printeditem verification on its machine. T: +44 (0) 1908 258258E: [email protected]

Stringent verification for OTCs

RNA Automation hasintroduced a QuickRelease Bowl Feeder tomeet requirements in thepharmaceutical sector tohandle individual portionpacks and single-dosepackaging.

The feed system allowsrapid and tool-lesschangeover of bowl top ina matter of seconds,through a speciallydesigned pneumaticclamping mechanism,states RNA. In caseswhere there are differentbatches or sizes of component a traditional bowlfeeder has sometimes proved impractical,particularly in a clean room environment, thecompany added.

Ease of cleaning and quick change over ofcomponents are said to be key features, whilecross contamination of batches is greatly reduced

and new products can be added to the productionline at a later date. Another benefit, claims RNA,is the ability to switch to a spare bowl during theautoclaving process; again with very little impacton production downtime. T: + 44 (0)121 749 2566E: [email protected]

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Quick release feeder


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Doyen Medipharm has introduced a newgeneration of thermoforming machines,dedicated to the packaging of sterile medicalproducts.

The two versatile machines, MT150 andMT250, allow for the efficient processing offlexible, semi-rigid and rigid films, says thecompany.

There are a variety of possibilities forforming and sealing top and bottom web, aswell as multiple cutting options. Thisfacilitates customisation for individualrequirements. Improved access to the toolingincreases convenience and saves time at

product changeover. As Martin Beriswill,Doyen's vice president of engineering andproduct development, explained: “The newthermoformers enable us to offer customersa broader range of options for packagingmedical devices. Many medical devices arenot suited for effective 4-sided sealpackaging. With the MT, Doyen now providespackaging machines for flat as well as three-dimensional products.”

The new thermoformer models aredelivered fully validated.T: +44 (0) 1953 600078E: [email protected]

Thermforming duo

Perfima, a perforated pan for complex filmand functional coating processes, from IMA,incorporates a special Shark Fin baffle. Thepan has the ability to maintain contentuniformity from 25 to 100 per cent of the pancapacity with no need to change the drum.

Additionally position and dimensions of theoutlet air duct allow uniform product dryingsaving energy, claims the company. Sprayguns are mounted on a support arm and canbe positioned and adjusted from the externalpart of the machine, by using the relevantdevice. The arm slides out from the coater;easing gun changes and calibration. Special

seals mean the machine is completelyisolated and suitable for full containmentinstallations and able to perform acompletely automatic Clean In Place cycle,claims the company. Nozzles and spray ballscover all areas of the machine and arealways in position.

Front and side doors fitted on the machineallow good accessibility, says IMA, while aʻthrough the wallʼ installation is also possible.Perfima capacity ranges from 3 litres to 900litres across four machine models. T: +44 (0) 1789 767330E: [email protected]

Perfima pan cleans up

Newman LabellingSystems has launchedits cost-effective S100fully automatic, self-adhesive labellingsystem.

The S100 featuresthe same cGMPdesign and stainlesssteel construction butfeatures are kept to aminimum to meet the current demand for lowcost, quality machines in the pharmaceutical,health and nutraceutical markets.

Operating at speeds up to 100

containers/minute, theS100 is suited for useon cylindrical, flat andsquare containersfrom 10mm to150mm, with minimalchange parts.

All purpose builtsystems are fullycompliant with FDA,cGMP requirements

and can be supplied with validationcompleted up to Performance Qualification. T: +44 (0) 20 8440 0044E: [email protected]

Labeller meets market needs


K-Tron Premier, part of the K-TronProcess Group demonstrated itsP-Series vacuum sequencingreceivers, which provide a customsolution for difficult conveyingapplications.

The P-Series receivers havebeen redesigned to meet thesame high quality finishstandards as K-Tronʼs range ofweigh feeders, says thecompany. The 2415 vacuum

sequencing receiver, designed tohandle powder and pellet,regrind or granular materials inthe pharmaceutical, chemical,food and plastics industries hasbeen fitted with a new Series 4controller.

The 2415 is available in eitheraluminum or stainless steelconstruction. T: +44 (0) 161 209 4810E: [email protected]

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pharmaceutical - Achema 09

Premier for vacuum sequencing

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PIAB launched its Unibodyconveyor for thepharmaceutical industry. It isspecifically designed tofacilitate cleaning and meettraceability requirements facedby pharmaceutical companies.

This latest addition toPIABʼs vacuum handling rangefeatures a tube-like shape andsmooth surface to reduce theamount of residual material leftin the system, improvingcleaning and enhancingproductivity, it says.

Customers receive adetailed documentationpackage that demonstratesthe traceability of the ingoingmaterial and the conveyorʼscompatibility with handledproducts to facilitate qualityassurance compliance.

Additional vacuumtechnologies on displayincluded the VGS™ (VacuumGripper System) series fordownstream pharmaceuticalapplications such as pick-and-place, carton erecting andpalletizing. The VGS™ seriescomprises three gripper sizes. T: +44 (0) 1589 857010E: [email protected]

Here Machinery Update provides a round-up of what was on show at the recent specialistpharmaceutical show - Achema

The Oystar stand included thenew design of ManestyʼsValue range of tablet presseswhich, it says, improves theergonomics and aesthetics ofthe machine.

The press can operate atoutputs between 10,000 and234,000 tablets/hour andcomes with a choice of controlsystems, including thempower® which meets cGMP,GAMP and FDA requirementsand has both bi-layer andeffervescent productioncapability. T: +44 (0) 151 547 8000E: [email protected]

ACHEMA 09SIDELINES

Small but speedytablet counterCremer showcased its newcounting system - CF425. Aversatile modular design with upto 10 counting heads, thisadvanced linear tablet countermaximises production speedswithin a space-saving footprint,says the company.

It will handle a wide range oftablets, caplets, hard and soft gelcapsules as well as a wide varietyof container shapes and sizes. Itfeatures simple and speedychangeovers and cleaning.

The number of counting-headmodules can vary from 3 - 10 tomatch the customerʼs required output. Typicaloutput ranges from 90 - 300 containers/minute,says Cremer. Actual output depends on thecombination of product shape, size and count.

Compared with conventional linear tabletcounters with four counting heads, the CF425 isclaimed to achieve high throughput in 40 per centless floor space. The machineʼs features includefull control of all motions, easier operation withfewer parameters, an electrically controlledenclosure over the counting modules andimproved system efficiency.

The counter handles tablets and capsulesranging in size from 2 - 30mm in length and from2 - 20mm in width. It accommodates a wideassortment of containers, including round, oval,square and rectangular up to 200mm high and125mm wide.

Exceeding cGMP specifications, the CF425 isfabricated in stainless steel, hard coatedaluminium and various synthetic materials. It usesCFR21 part 11-compliant software.T: +44 (0) 1276 35053E: [email protected]


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Transfer systemfor sterile bagsLugaia STS AG has becamean official premium partner ofOptima Group Pharma withthe integration of its Stericonsystem with Optimaʼs fillingand packaging machinery.

Stericon is a certified andpatented procedure thatuses sterile foil productsand applies precisionwelding technology totransfer pharmaceuticalsubstances, vials or plugs toan isolator-protected zone. An RTP port isnot required.

The transfer system for sterile APIs andmaterials is a safe and extremelyinexpensive solution, say the companies.The system uses laminated and pre-sterilizable foil products that aremanufactured in an ISO class 5 clean room.

It comprises a bag which is filled withsterile pharmaceuticals; plus containers orclosing materials, which are fed in or fed outof the isolator; and an endless foil tube asthe transfer connection.

For transfer, the two components; the bag,and the endless tube, are interleaved intoeach other in layers. A specific welding and

separating procedure bonds the bags to theendless tube to ensure that the materialinside does not have contact with exterior foillayers. This makes an RTP port redundant.

Stericon bags can be pre-sterilized bygamma rays, ETO (ethylene-oxide) or steamin the autoclave. The endless tube has beendesigned to transfer 500 containers in onebatch. The procedure also supportsdischarge of the sterile products from theisolator. Sterility of the system has beenproven and the entire procedure is GMPcertified. It will be marketed jointly by Optimaand Lugaia STS. T: +44 (0) 5602 588242E: [email protected]


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Optima Lugaia Stericon System

Easy access for tube fillerAt Achema Norden Machinery showed aNM902L-C tube filling machine linked to aNP 1702 cartoner. The filler is equipped withhinged cassette, and servo lift, as well as atiltable combination beam and the new 90degree pick and place unit for straight-lineconfigurations.

This was the first time, due to theʻclockwiseʼ direction of the tube transport inthe filling machine, that the company wasable to exhibit a 100 tube/minute line with allthe control panels located on the same sideof the equipment, providing greater

accessibility for operators and maintenance,it claims.

The NP 1702 cartoner offers very easyaccessibility, says Norden. Above themachine table are doors manufactured inPlexiglas providing clear visibility of all themachine operations. The machine table hasan ergonomic working height and is coveredwith stainless steel sheets, providing a user-friendly environment as well as facilitatingcleaning and maintenance. T: +44 (0) 1462 895245E: [email protected]




GEA Pharma Systemsdemonstrated itsPharmaConnect® system atACHEMA 2009.

The system allowspharmaceutical formulationscientists to plug in to a rangeof processing technologies toevaluate the processes andoptimise product quality.

PharmaConnect® has asingle control system thatallows multiple processmodules to be attached.Typically this could be a rangeof PMA or Gral high sheargranulation bowls, but thesystem also accepts GEAextrusion, spheronization andblending systems.

The system is available inʻthrough the wallʼ or mobileformats and has the ability toprocess batches from 100g upto 25kg or more.T: +44 (0) 2380 267131E: info@

geapharmasystems.com

METTLER TOLEDO in the UKhas introduced a new versionof its FreeWeigh.Net softwarefor pharmaceuticalmanufacturers.

Version 5.2 offers a widerange of functions to ensure

compliance with the complexspecifications of FDA 21 CFRPart 11, while an optional AuditTrail module providescomplete traceability of allchanges in the system withprogrammable logs, says thecompany.T: + 44 (0)116 235 7070E: [email protected]

PHARMASIDELINES

Unique ID on more materials Domino Printing Sciences says the recenttechnology innovations it showcased respond tothe widespread migration from linear barcodes to2D codes for unique identification within thepharmaceutical and chemical sectors.

Importantly the latest systems support differentkinds of application needs, including unique EPCserial numbers, 2D datamatrix codes and RFIDtechnology.

As Domino can offer a multi-substrate, fast-drying ink, the G-Series thermal inkjet printer(TIJ), launched in late 2008, now has anexpanded range of compatible print materials,opening up new application possibilities formanufacturers, says the company.

The capability to switch between water- and

ethanol-based inks enables printing onto porousand non-porous materials, unlike other TIJsolutions, which are typically restricted to slower-drying, water-based options.

Dominoʼs coding solutions ensure compliancewith IFAH (International Federation of AnimalHealth) batch labelling and with the EFPIA(European Federation of PharmaceuticalIndustries and Associations) serial labellingregulations.

The company also offers a track & tracesoftware solution with its Control Pharma softwarepackage, implemented by its partner, BoschPackaging, for its CPS pharmaceutical product.T: +44 (0) 1954 782551E: [email protected]

Romaco presented its new Noack T 4 blisterpackaging line. Its QuickFeed, QuickAdjust andQuickTransfer systems, provide high levels offlexibility, particularly for small and medium batchsizes at up to 400 blisters/minute, says thecompany. Short conversion times, increasedproductivity and minimal life-cycle costs are otherfeatures of the line.

The company also showcased its new asepticliquid filler Macofar VF 24 for pharmaceuticalparenterals and lyophilized products. With amaximum output of 24,000 vials/hour the slimdesigned and GMP-standardised plant it isclaimed to achieve high product safety.

The patented QuickFeed unit has an aircushion adjustment system which allows productchangeover in seconds. To do this, the productfeed is completely detached and cleanedseparately while production can be continuedusing a second ready-tooled feed unit.

The servo-controlled QuickAdjust stationcontrol system automatically adjusts production tothe sealing, coding, perforating and punchingstations. A laser light barrier determines the exactposition of the blister and automatically moves thecomplete station to the optimal position.

Use of the four-track QuickTransfer blistertransfer station allows blister layouts in

longitudinal- and cross-positions. Using a pick-and-place system, the blisters can be turnedthrough 90° before being fed to the stackingsystem prior to cartoning.

The Noack T 4 comprises the compact NoackN 930 blister packaging machine and a PromaticPC 4000 series cartoner. According to customerpreference, the installation can be equipped withplate or roller sealing.

The aseptic liquid filler Macofar VF 24 isdesigned for filling liquid or lyophilizedpharmaceutical products. One of its key featuresis the slim design. The horizontal distancebetween the feeding hoses and the machine frontis less than 600mm, and space in the ʻwhite areaʼis reduced to a minimum. The vertical distancebetween the machine base and the filling area isbig enough to avoid any turbulence or particlesaround the open bottles. The unit fulfils therequirements of GMP for aseptic productionprocesses in the cleanroom class “Grade A”.

This medium speed machine offers an output of24,000 vials/hour. All drives utilise servo motors toallow accurate and reproducible processes. Theintegrated weighing stations check the weight ofthe vials before and after filling. The control unitautomatically adjusts filling volume if necessarywww.romaco.com

New blister line andfiller from Romaco

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A CP600 blister packing machine with a newhigh-GM product feeding zone was a majorfeature of the Koerber Medipak stand.

The machine, which is capable ofproducing 600 blisters/minute, was linked tothe new Mediseal 3200 cartoner with anoutput of up to 300 cartons/minute. Thismachine incorporates a number ofenhancements, including what the companydescribes as a ʻrevolutionaryʼ leaflet feed.

Also shown was the P1600 cartoner within-line blister printing via the BIB-BOB infeedallowing Late Stage Customisation and a

LA600SP stickpack machine for high speedpharmaceutical applications, with rapidformat changeovers.

Dividella showed a NeoTop NT304 toploading cartoning machine for injector pens.This format is proving particularly popular forpre-filled syringes where a number ofproducts must be packed into a carton foruse one by one, says the company. Themodular machine can produce up to 30NeoTop cartons/minute. T: +44 (0) 1753 754865E: [email protected]

Revolution forleaflet feeding

The Marchesini Group exhibited completeline technologies plus new machines andmachine combinations.

For liquid pharmaceuticals the companyintroduced a new ampoule line made up of thecontinuous rotary washing machine WRA24-8,a new sterilisation tunnel with cold chamberNLT60S-C and an ampoule filling-sealingmachine RSF24 with 8 dispensing pumps.

For the syringe market, the group showedits machine model FSP10, for filling andclosing disposable sterile syringes pre-arranged in BD Hypack or equivalentsystems, in an aseptic environment.

There was also the preview of its roboticline, the Unica that is able to integrate thetwo deep-forming and carton packaging

functions in one monobloc unit. It features a100 per cent robotic feeding systems.

For solids products, the companydemonstrated Integra 300, an integratedrobotic blister line which incorporates the twothermoforming (blistering) and cartonpackaging processes in one monobloc unit,for a production rate of 300 blisters/minute.

To demonstrate its technology forserialisation of pharmaceutical products, thegroup presented two versions of the newlabelling machine BL40. These machinesapply and check tracking codes ofpharmaceutical products and also labels withdifferent code combinations. T: +44 (0) 1525 216201E: [email protected]

Marchesini in combination



Antonio Mengibar of Barcelona, represented inthe UK by Holmach, has introduced a mix and filltechnology to allow a cosmetic base product to bemixed in the filling manifold with a colour orfragrance immediately prior to filling into thecontainer.

This allows temperature sensitive ingredients tohave minimum exposure to gelling and otheragents, which is especially useful if the productbecomes more viscous as it cools, explainsHolmach.

Mengibar has recently patented both rotary andinline filling technology that eliminates the need forbottom-up filling (where the nozzle is inserted intothe container) on foaming products. The ʻLowReynoldsʼ laminar flow nozzle eliminates air from

the product, and as a result there is no turbulenceon filling. Ideal for hair care and nail polishes, thetechnology lends itself to ATEX applications whereflammability is an issue, says Holmach. Coupledwith flow meter filling, changeover is simplified andmechanical maintenance minimised.

Mengibar also designs fitment and pumpapplicators and trigger pump cappers. Recentliquid candle and other ʻaircareʼ products haveseen the use of dual compartment containers forfragrance and oil with automatic wick insertion.

Trigger pump cappers with automatic sorting ofpumps and automatic rotary capping can achievespeeds of 60 - 400 containers/minute.T: +44 (0) 1780 749097E: [email protected]

Cooler cosmetics from Barcelona

health & beauty - cosmetics round-up

No close shaveswith OCS weighersFive existing production lines at RudolfDankwardt, of Germany, have been equipped withOCS checkweighers, to ensure product stabilityand accurate weighing of aerosol cans ismaintained at rates of 150 pieces/minute, saysthe company.

In order to meet expanding demand for itscontract packing services for the production fillingand packaging of aerosols an additional site atJessenitz-Werk/Lübtheen will extend theproduction capacity further, again using OCSequipment.

A continuous flow of touching, shaving foamcans are fed from the filler. Each individual can ischecked for its correct weight before packing.

Typically aerosol cans are difficult to handleand will easily fall over. OCS engineers havedeveloped a solution that ensures optimalproduct handling using the bypass transfersystem. Aerosol cans are smoothly brought tothe infeed conveyor where a screw conveyoraccelerates them and provides the necessarydistance between them for the weighing process,explains OCS.

Over/underweight cans are removed using thecustomerʼs flipper reject system. Cans with thecorrect weight are gently passed onto the outfeed

conveyor for final packaging and shipping to thecustomer. In this case 16 cans are packed intoone carton which is finally checked by a heavyduty EC-M-SL checkweigher.

The bypass system provides excellent producthandling in combination with reliable and preciseweighing for aerosol cans, claims OCS.

It is targeted at cosmetics manufacturers withproduct ranges including deodorants, hairspray,shaving foam and similar products. T: +44 (0) 1993 701970E: [email protected]

special feature

Pre-moistened wipes forbabies, personal care andgeneral disinfecting, which areusually packed in individualsachets or plastic containerswith a snap cap, could benefitfrom a new hermetic inductionseal system.

Developed by EnerconIndustries Corporation in co-operation with IMS – IntegrityMachine Services – to extendshelf life, the special sealinghead seals the wipes prior tocapping the containers. Thesealing system is fullycustomisable to meet specificrequirements, say thecompanies. T: + 44 (0)1296 330542 E: richard.bull@

enerconind.co.uk

A new, pneumatic motion,machine is successfully fillingwet, 100 per cent cotton,towelettes into stickpacks atup to 70 packs/minute,according to manufacturerInever, of Spain.

The patented system loadsthe towlettes using a vibratorybowl which orients them to thefilling carousel. Next a dosingdevice wets the cotton via aperistaltic pump. The liquid,which can be a cream,perfume or insect repellent, isthen absorbed and thetowelette expands. In itscompressed form the productis 20mm diameter and 10mmthickness, but can fold out aslarge as 320 x 250mm.

Configured for two laneoperation for a pack dimensionof 45 x 115mm, the standardmachine accepts a reel widthup to 300mm diameter with a70mm core and 200mm width.Other sizes and shapes canbe accommodated, says thecompany. www.inever.es

COSMETICSSIDELINES


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health & beauty Costs, counterfeiting and · PDF filebeing replaced by BFS (blow fill seal) ... technology we catch you if you try to make up a 30 ... a conveyor and two vacuum