In 2009 there were 3767 exhibitors and more than 173000 visitors to ACHEMA in Frankfurt. The 2012 event looks to be even bigger. The hot topics for this year are energy and resources, while congress topics will address process engineering, pharmaceutical production and biotechnology. On the opening day, I saw a variety of new technologies for the pharma industry.

Lock showcased a gravity fall metal detection system that promises a greater product integrity for API manufacturers. They also have a bottlecheck system that incorporates an 'OPTIX' detector that inspects bottles of tablets and capsules at the end of the packaging line.

Thomas Homann of GEA showed me a separator for the recovery of vaccines and pharmaceutical proteins in lab scale and pilot plant applications. It operates at 20000G, which is unique worldwide. There are three bowl sizes, 15-30 L/h up to 150-300L/h. Of course, it is a sterile system that meets GMP requirements.

Merck Millipore have the only complete single-use process train that promises scalable, industry standard separation and purification technologies. The highest level of flexibility for multi-product, multi-scale facilities with modular units for scaling up, down and across unit operations.

More news to come soon!