As most process engineers will be able to confirm, powder processing is a different and mostly difficult topic. First of all powders behave quite different compared to either liquids or gasses. It is therefore much more difficult to apply mathematics and physics to powder processing. Secondly it is quite important to define the desired processes. These can, for example, consist of drying, mixing, milling, (de)agglomerating and even storage and/or packaging.

To complex things further, one should also consider cleaning technologies of the used equipment. In food and pharmaceutical environments, this is an especially important feature.

Hosokawa Micron has not only recognised these features but has also acted upon it: At its premises in Doetinchem, The Netherlands, it has built Europe’s largest powder processing trial factory, in order to be able to solve nearly any powder processing problem. This includes different processes related to, eg, mixing, agglomerating and drying.

Although Hosokawa has built up large experience in scaling up from lab scale trials to processing scale, most of the trial equipment has already process dimensions. These units can therefore easily be rented as well for direct trials at the customers site. The experienced process engineers of Hosokawa may be able to assist such process optimisation trials.

Together with customers process engineers, Hosokawa can therefore come up with a project related advise and demonstrate how to overcome powder processing difficulties. But even than Hosokawa has surpassed the markets needs, as it is also possible to perform powder tolling processing at Hosokawa’s premises.

In the end complex powder processing problems will suddenly become much more easy.

Another important feature is the engineering capacity at Hosokawa. Although a lot of engineering capacity is project related, Hosokawa can also perform complete engineering, related to powder processing.

Last but not least the R&D facilities are also well equipped. This recently has led to interesting new developments:

• Mid shear mixers, also capable of injecting large amounts of fats (up to 20percent).
• Modulomixer for continuous (pharmaceutical) applications; this mixer combines annular mixing with modular processing.
• Stirred freeze drying technology, specially interesting for ‘agglomerate-free’ drying of nano-particles and/or (pharmaceutical) active ingredients.
• Process control equipment like the mixing sensor, Cyberjet cleaning technology or the in-line sample taker.

Hosokawa Micron BV is based in Doetinchem, The Netherlands. www.hosokawamicron.nl