The LOUNGES in Karlsruhe – a complete success

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V. l. n. r.: The winners with judges: Hans Hauger, Gerhard Koblenzer, LPW Cleaning Systems GmbH, Dr. Udo Gommel, Fraunhofer IPA, Prof. Arnold Brunner, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Dr. Ute Schleyer, Vetter Pharma International GmbH, Phillip Hagedorn, igus® GmbH, Dr. Lothar Gail, GMP Cleanroom Technology

More highly qualified trade visitors and a larger exhibition area than last year show that the way back to the homeland of the LOUNGES was exactly the right decision. Exhibitors and visitors were immediately satisfied with the contacts, the demanding program, and the very beautiful atmosphere in the hall.

The LOUNGES 2018 were themed Innovation – Project Presentations – Live Demonstrations

With an innovative program and many highlights, the LOUNGES 2018 presented itself to the audience in Karlsruhe. Over 200 exhibitors gave this industry event a very special significance right at the beginning of the year.

Cleanroom and Pharmaceutical Technology in Focus

New topics and areas in the over 12,000 m² large hall provided countless opportunities for information and exchange for every visitor. In addition to the large exhibition where companies showcased their products and services, over 300 lectures, activities, and product shows took place, which visitors could participate in free of charge.

Highlights of 2018 included the new areas presented on separate spaces and in forums. For the first time, an Innovation Lab, a section for Innovation Cleanroom, the Hygienic Design Forum, GMP Talks with authorities representatives, the "Meet the Expert" meeting point for direct exchange with experts, and again the very popular Dark Zone from last year were featured.

The Fraunhofer IPA awarded the Fraunhofer Cleanroom Technology Prize CLEAN! at the LOUNGES 2018, aimed at recognizing groundbreaking developments in cleanliness technology. LPW Cleaning Systems GmbH, igus® GmbH, and Vetter Pharma International GmbH received the CLEAN! 2018 for their innovations. The manufacturing of microchips, flat screens, implants, pharmaceutical active ingredients, or micro- and nanoproducts would be unthinkable without a clean, pure, or ultra-pure production environment. Cleanroom production technology is considered a key technology that drives important innovations across industries. Outstanding ideas in cleanliness technology not only enable completely new products but also increase the cost-effectiveness of production processes. The five-member jury, chaired by Udo Gommel, was convinced by the following developments in terms of innovation leap, sustainability, enabler quality, and industrial feasibility:

1st Prize Clean! 2018: Surface Cleaning into the Last Corner
Whenever we open a water bottle with carbon dioxide, the bursting bubbles greet us. They form during the transition from the liquid to the gaseous phase and are an example of a physical process whose mechanism is used for cleaning. This so-called nucleation has been further developed by LPW Cleaning Systems GmbH for their cleaning processes and was awarded the 1st prize Clean! 2018.

2nd Prize Clean! 2018: Energy Guidance
For the area of energy guidance in pure productions, igus® developed a novel conduit. This "e-skin®" reliably, robustly, and flexibly supplies systems with data, media, and energy without generating particle concentrations through friction that exceed the critical threshold levels. The improved spiral hose for cleanroom applications received the 2nd prize.

3rd Prize Clean! 2018: "Best Practice" Concept for Cleanrooms
Manufacturing technology for the aseptic filling of injection systems. Increasing requirements for the aseptic filling of medications have immediate consequences for production in cleanrooms. To meet the required quality and flexibility, Vetter developed a "Best Practice" concept for cleanrooms: "Vetter CleanRoom Technology" (V-CRT®) was awarded the 3rd prize.

Technical Lectures and Activities

The focus of the lecture sessions was on completed projects and the path to them, starting from planning fundamentals, legal requirements, and the operators' wishes. In addition to the classic sessions, Fraunhofer IPA, VIP3000, and ISPE participated with top topics. Various presentations also brought the theme of "Innovation" closer to both exhibitors and visitors of the LOUNGES. Visitors to the Innovation Lab were directly involved in the presentations and could actively participate. This was implemented successfully using the Science Café and the World Café formats.

The goal was to promote communication and knowledge transfer between companies, exhibitors, and participants, as well as dialogue, interaction, and exchange, and to create networks. The concept of innovation was strengthened among SMEs, and awareness of the current and future importance of innovations was raised.

A Look Ahead

Autumn 2018 – the LOUNGES on Tour stop in Vienna and Berlin

Precisely targeted and tailored to the needs of the cleanroom and pharmaceutical process industry – the concept fits, and companies are responding with numerous registrations. The LOUNGES on Tour are experiencing enormous interest. Both events are already 90% booked.

LOUNGES 2019 – February 5 to 7, 2019, Messe Karlsruhe

LOUNGES Cleanroom and LOUNGES Pharma – a combination that works well. The new date is set, and the booths have already been booked to 75% for 2019. Industry professionals can look forward to an even more interesting offering in 2019.