From the laboratory to the factory plant

The chromatography block typical for the pharmaceutical industry demonstrates how the entire process chain can be scaled from the laboratory to the factory. (Source: Bürkert Fluid Control Systems)

Pharmaceutical products are developed in the laboratory before production begins on an industrial scale. Bürkert has therefore developed a chromatography block typical for the pharmaceutical industry, which demonstrates how the entire process chain can be scaled from the laboratory to the factory.

Like many industries, the pharmaceutical industry is also undergoing digital transformation, as medicines need to be produced in increasingly faster time-to-market cycles. At the same time, pharmaceutical equipment should operate more efficiently, sustainably, and intelligently without compromising sensitive process safety. But initially, pharmaceutical products are developed in the laboratory before industrial-scale production starts. Bürkert Fluid Control Systems has therefore developed a chromatography block typical for the pharmaceutical industry, which shows how the entire process chain can be scaled from the laboratory to the factory (Image 1).

Minimal dead volumes, easy rinsing

Users benefit from application know-how, high manufacturing depth, and perfectly coordinated components both small and large: In this case, the laboratory solution is based on microvalves, while larger metal versions are used in the actual process. All parts that come into contact with the product meet the highest hygienic requirements, so the systems can be used downstream, i.e., after the bioreactor up to the filling plant. Low dead volumes also ensure easy rinsing.