Bosch at Achema - Extensive Line Competence

At Achema 2015, Bosch Packaging Technology will focus on its line competence. Trade show visitors can expect eleven market launches for the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries. With a combination of exhibits and multimedia presentations, Bosch will showcase exemplary line configurations for different therapeutic areas. “Whether customers need a complete line for the production and packaging of oncology drugs, for treatment of diabetes or gastric ulcers, or a solution for eye drops or cough syrup, Bosch is the competent partner for all pharmaceutical requirements,” explains Christian Treitel, head of pharma business development at Bosch Packaging Technology.

Exemplary Lines for Solid and Liquid Pharmaceuticals

Bosch will present line configuration examples for the manufacturing of tablets for diabetes treatment, as well as for capsules that are administered to cure gastric and intestinal ulcers. The new Hüttlin granulation line Granulean, which is available in three standardized sizes, can for instance be connected to the new Manesty TPR tablet presses via suitable handling and transfer equipment. The capsule line comprises precise dosing, amongst others of pellets, as well as filling on the new GKF 2600 capsule filling machine, followed by inspection and transfer to the packaging process.

On the basis of different therapeutic areas and packaging types, three exemplary lines for liquid pharmaceuticals further illustrate Bosch’s line competence. For instance, equipment for all process steps of oncology drugs administered in vials is available: from Pharmatec bioprocess systems to highly precise filling, integration of freeze-drying and capping to external cleaning of vials with the new RAN washing machine. Apart from particle and cosmetic inspection, Bosch also presents a new inspection machine for leak detection. Furthermore, Bosch offers cartoning machines with sophisticated serialization and aggregation solutions for the secondary packaging process.

New Developments Based on Pharmaceutical Requirements

An exemplary syringe line shows how customers can efficiently produce, fill and package their drugs for the treatment of autoimmune disorders. Process systems for the production of APIs and a new system for the generation of WFI (water for injection) are followed by formulation and filling on the flexible platform for pre-sterilized syringes with single-use filling systems. The latter can be combined with barrier systems and further equipment such as the new wireless glove tester. Depending on the product, sterilizers with hot water shower or steam/air mixture from Schoeller-Bleckmann Medizintechnik (SBM) can be used. The line is complemented by particle and cosmetic inspection, further downstream equipment and complete secondary packaging solutions.

The manufacturing and filling process of liquid pharmaceuticals into cartridges is illustrated by the therapeutic area of diabetes care. The line starts with water treatment and insulin production systems, followed by market-leading filling and closing machines. Once the cartridges have been inspected, the insulin pens are assembled on the fully automated assembly platform from Moeller & Devicon, before they are packaged, serialized and aggregated. Many further components, such as CIP/SIP systems and SBM equipment sterilizers, can be added to the line. “Depending on therapeutic area and dosage form, customers receive lines that are tailored exactly to their requirements, with ideally aligned machines and systems. At the same time, all new developments are based on pharmaceutical requirements,” Treitel underlines.

Highly Flexible Line Configurations

For ophthalmologic applications, Bosch showcases a Sigpack HSL horizontal flow wrapping machine, which is loaded with vial cards via a Sigpack LDF feedplacer. The eye drops, which have been filled with the blow-fill-seal technology, are packaged and hermetically sealed in aluminum compound film to secure products from water vapor and light exposure. An exemplary animation shows how liquid oral dosage forms such as cough syrup can be filled in glass and plastic bottles. Bosch also offers the suitable process technology for these types of medication, as well as the high purity media systems and product sterilizers that are required for after-treatment. Moreover, all line configurations can be flexibly combined with further inspection devices, handling equipment and secondary packaging machines. The requested serialization features are applied to the packaging before aggregation.

Comprehensive Consulting and Services

“Beyond machine technology, we support customers with market-specific expertise, as well as detailed project and integration competence,” says Christian Treitel. With additional services and comprehensive consulting before, during and after start-up, Bosch ensures that all customer needs are satisfied. This also includes qualification and validation of the lines. Furthermore, the worldwide training platform Bosch Packaging Academy, which was founded in 2014, offers customers and employees a standardized knowledge pool for the entire Bosch Packaging Technology machine portfolio.

Bosch Packaging Services supports its customers with sophisticated maintenance concepts to achieve the highest machine availability with less downtime and reduced costs. Apart from conducting maintenance activities based on electronic protocols, Bosch offers services such as thermography and cleaning of control cabinets. A large range of modernization and technical audits, as well as remote services help customers to flexibly adapt their existing machines and lines to future market requirements.

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