Penn Pharma a PCI company, installs new Gerteis Roller Compactor Technology

Pharmaceutical manufacturer Penn Pharma a PCI company, today announced the successful installation of the Gerteis Mini-Pactor at its contained manufacturing facility. This investment in new contained roller compaction technology will further expand its service offering at the award winning site in South Wales.

Penn Pharma a PCI company was proud to show off the installation of the new Mini-Pactor, which was successfully and safely maneuvered through a customised roof into the state-of-the-art contained manufacturing facility. 

The Mini-Pactor was elevated and placed into position through the recently redesigned purpose-built flexible roof, fitted to allow the safe installation of this latest important technology. The lift and subsequent placement of the roller compactor required the use of a 100 foot crane operated by a team of specialist engineers and skilled support functions.  

Roller compaction is a process that provides a granulation method for materials that are heat and moisture sensitive, avoiding the use of liquid and high temperatures associated with wet granulation and subsequent drying methods. The Gerteis Mini-Pactor offers a patented, proven design that enhances powder flow as well as effective containment using skan isolator technology and integrated cleaning systems. The process is easily scaleable, facilitating shorter and less costly development programmes.

Bill Mitchell, CEO of parent company PCI which acquired Penn in August 2014 was on site to oversee this latest milestone. Bill commented: “This latest investment is a further demonstration to our customers of the commitment we have made to deliver best in class solutions.  This contained roller compactor increases our ability to provide advanced services in response to growing market demand for the processing and manufacturing of solid dosage forms containing potent molecules.

“The PCI Penn Tredegar site has more than 20 years of experience in the use of roller compactor technology. By combining expertise gained over time with state of the art technology, we understand the importance of this technology and its application in addressing the specific needs of our customers.”

Site General Manager, Colin White, added: “This is yet another important landmark in the journey of PCI and Penn Pharma, a PCI company, becoming a preferred and strategic partner to our customers. We have the experience and expertise required to manage the most complex of programmes and this latest investment ensures we are able to service customers who require innovative and world leading outsourcing solutions for the contained processing of potent molecules.”