INTERPHEX 2022 Highlights Packaging and QC

Parenteral packaging, solid dose packaging, and quality control innovations were highlighted at INTERPHEX 2022 (May 24–26, 2022, at Javits Center in New York, NY). Among quality control innovations, NJM, a ProMach product brand, introduced its integrated CMD metal detection system for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical bottles. The system integrates a metal detector head from a top-tier vendor such as Thermo-Scientific, Mettler-Toledo, or Loma with a raised-bed conveyor to smooth bottle handling and eliminate the need for bottle transfers.

Ideal for tablets, capsules, powders, and liquid products, the system can handle round, oval, square, and rectangular bottles made of plastic or glass from 1.5 to 7.9 inches (38 to 200 mm) in height and from 0.6 to 5.5 inches (16 to 140 mm) in diameter. The CMD system can be equipped with a separating wheel, starwheel, or feedscrew spacing device, depending on the bottle shapes and sizes being handled. With a length as short as 42 inches (1067 mm), it easily fits downstream of the cottoner or upstream of the capper.

The CMD system has been engineered to optimize cleanliness and cleaning processes and can be equipped with optional reject and reject verification systems. Featuring an open frame and removable top and bottom conveyor chain wear strips, this cGMP-compliant system simplifies line clearance, cleaning, and inspection by eliminating tablet entrapment zones and exposed wires. Package changeovers require no tools (1).

Solid dose packaging innovations

Marchesini Group USA showcased its Compact-24 monoblock filler/capper. A magnetic transport system autonomously positions, groups, and moves each bottle individually, simplifies changeover, and efficiently handles small and medium batches. The counting section consists of two 12-channel counting groups. For low counts, a twin-flap function can divide each group into six-plus-six channels. A six-head, continuous-motion rotary capper completes the system. A plug-and-play drop chute expedites changeover. Onboard cameras control product shape, size, and color and track each dose to ensure accurate counting. The monoblock can be equipped with cotton and desiccant feeders as well as 100% product weight inspection (2).

Parenteral packaging innovations

An RNFM robotic nest filling machine from Steriline enhances quality, efficiency, safety, and flexibility for aseptic fill/finish operations by reducing the need for human intervention and the potential for operator-related mistakes. Special sensors detect the type and capacity of the containers, and the machine software automatically adapts the process according to recipes in the database. Sensors also can identify and promptly manage any non-compliant pieceswithout operator intervention, thus, reducing waste and downtime. The fill/finish system is compatible with vials, cartridges, and syringes and can be equipped with an open or closed restricted access barrier or isolator barrier system (3).

For high-speed vial labeling, MG America offers the WL-1-RT wraparound labeler. A trunnion transport system positively controls vials to enable precise label application at speeds up to 600/min. The unit can be equipped with thermal-transfer and laser-coding printers and is preconfigured for the integration of an OCR/OCV vision inspection system. Non-conforming labels are rejected before application, and infeed/outfeed bi-flow tables provide optimal buffering (4).

In other parenteral packaging news, West Pharmaceutical Services won an INTERPEHX Exhibitor Award for Biotech Innovation for its DeltaCube modeling platform. The DeltaCube analytics tool helps manufacturers select and optimize container/closure systems earlier in the development process by guiding the selection of vial, stopper, and seal combinations based on fit. The tool also supports troubleshooting of defects or container/closure integrity failures due to dimensional issues (5).

Total cost of ownership

Price is an essential consideration when purchasing a packaging machine, but failure to consider total cost of ownership (TCO) could result in a line that generates higher expenses over its life span. Calculating TCO considers many factors. A guide from BW Packaging Systems, Calculating Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for Packaging Lines and Machinery, helps manufacturers and co-packers quantify optimum machine choices. In addition to defining 10 cost factors to consider, the guide provides advice for keeping costs low, offers tips from packaging industry experts, and provides links to helpful resources (6).

References

1. NJM, “NJM Introduces Integrated CMD Metal Detection Systems,” Press Release, Feb. 8, 2022.

2. Marchesini Group, “Compact-24,” COMPACT-24 | Counting | Marchesini Group, accessed July 11, 2022.

3. Steriline, “INTERPHEX 2022: Steriline Robotic Applications to Improve Quality in Drug Primary Packaging,” Press Release, May 24, 2022.

4. Dale, Christopher, “Booth Appointments at Interphex? Email, May 5, 2022.

5. West Pharmaceutical Services, “West Receives Exhibitor Award for INTERPHEX 2022 for Proprietary DeltaCube Modeling Platform,” Press Release, May 24, 2022.

6. BW Packaging Systems, “Calculating Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for Packaging Lines and Machinery,” White Paper,Packaging Machine Costs | BW Packaging Systems, accessed July 8, 2022.