SPRING2003

NEWCONTAINMENTTECHNOLOGYSUPPLEMENT

Hosokawa Micron Ltd, part of the globalHosokawa Micron Group and leaders inpowder and particle technology, unveiltheir plans for a unique International Centreof Excellence for Containment Technology

Hosokawa Stott, specialists in equipmentfor the high containment of products toless than 1µg/m3, and Hosokawa Vitalair,specialists in clean air and downflowbooth technology, will be integrated into asingle Containment Division, providingcustomers with a single source forcontainment expertise, equipment andintegrated process systems.

As containment becomes more critical totheir process or safety of personnel,customers worldwide will have access to anunrivalled level of expertise for the designand build of containment equipment andcomplete integrated solutions.

The creation of the Centre of Excellence isin response to ever more stringent Healthand Safety legislation, the increasingpotency of active ingredients in theproduction of pharmaceuticals and the

demand for lower guaranteed OEL’s,safeguarding personnel in food andchemical production.

The new Centre will incorporate an R & Ddepartment and increased testing andvalidation facilities, based on a purposedesigned clean room area, allowingprocess operation and equipment testing.

‘Hosokawa Micron Ltd. are investing inthe future of powder and particletechnology with the development of theCentre of Excellence for ContainmentTechnology, leading the way in new andadvanced contained process design,system integration, high technology andservice for customers seeking bespokecontainment solutions for productintegrity and personnel protection.’ saidBrian Hope, Managing Director,Hosokawa Micron Ltd.

‘We believe it will offer the most fullyintegrated, single source for containmentsolutions, available in the market, enablingour customers to meet escalating health andsafety demands in an effective manner.’

HOSOKAWA MICRON LTD

www.hosokawa.co.uk Check out the new Hosokawa Micron Ltd website, specially designed for engineers sourcingequipment and powder and particle handling systems design.

Designed to be easy to navigate, the site at www.hosokawa.co.uk creates the ideal link forengineers looking for rapid information download as well as a direct link to other HosokawaMicron Group sites.

www.hosokawa.co.uk

Centre of Excellence

C O N T E N T S2 A Licence to Mill

2 3 in 1 Machine

2 Newsflash

3 Impressive Solution by Vitalair

3 Lab Scale Mixing

3 Intellimill

4 New Drymeister ContinuousFlash Dryer

4 Collagen Implants forHosokawa

4 Power Coatings Company inthe Pink

4 Exhibitions

5 Containment TechnologySupplement

6 Dust Containment Guaranteed

7 International Project TeamSuccess

7 Hosokawa win £1 Million

8 New Containment TechnologyBrochure

8 Hosokawa goes Dutch onMultiprocessor

CONTACTSPowder & Particle:

Nigel ThomasHosokawa Rietz:

Barry WalmsleyHosokawa Stott:

José van KlinkenHosokawa Vitalair:

Andrew Myers

Multiple step processing and complex arrangements of ancillary equipment become a thingof the past with Hosokawa’s new Agglomaster which brings together spray drying,agglomeration and granulation technology in a single machine.

The new Agglomaster fluidised bed granulator can produce various shapes of granules withhigh bulk density from liquid materials without the need for other processing equipment.

Normally spray drying techniques evaporate the liquid from a stream of atomised liquidusing hot gas as the drying medium, often with a need to rewet particles foragglomeration to aid dispersibility, flow behaviour, packing properties and particle size.Particles are often rewetted with the very solution which has just been evaporatedresulting in double processing and additional costs. The Agglomaster single stageoperation means drying and granulation takes place in a single processing eliminatingthe need for rewetting and secondary processing.

Operational cost savings of up to 40% have been achieved in trials using theAgglomaster in place of conventional spray drying and rewet agglomeration processes.

3 in 1 Machine

NewsFlash•NewsFlash•NewsFlash

Powder and particle manufacturers now have even more choices when outsourcing powderprocessing due to Hosokawa Micron’s improved and extended contract processing services.

Combining Hosokawa Micron’s extensiveprocess engineering expertise, equipmentperformance experience and commitment toquality assurance, our contract processingservices are designed for flexibility, costefficiency and customer accessibility...whether that’s for one off test projects of afew kilos, regular contracts or bulkprocessing of powders and particles.

With three separate processing suites,equipped with the latest on line analysisequipment, process controls and integratedsystems, we are able to offer a range ofuniquely competitive batch or continuousprocessing packages.

A recent agreement with a major tonermanufacturer gives us massively increasedcapacity for fine powder micronising downto below 5 microns utilising one of their800 AFG jet milling systems. This is one ofthe largest AFG’s in the UK andincorporates an ATP400 classifier forcontinuous grinding, classifying and inline

particle analysis. With its large throughputcapacity and it’s controllable and highlyaccurate distribution profile this system isideal for processing large, multi tonne lots,regular repeat contracts and tight orderspecifications of fine particles.

All customers have access to the full range ofHosokawa Micron technical and processingexpertise for product analysis and testingfacilities and recommendations on the mostefficient and effective system for processingand product recovery with support from our

global network of companies if required.

‘Our commitment to quality extendsthroughout our global contract processingservice, from initial consultation for trialwork, choice and design of equipment andintegrated system, product controlspecification confirmation, cleaning regimedefinition, product packing and storagerequirements and final delivery deadlines.’said Jim McEwan, Head of Operations.

‘Extensive record keeping ensurescontinuity of batch production and productguarantees to be given with full productverification and validation certification.’ hecontinued.

With in-suite containment facilities andspecialist barrier containment equipmentavailable, Hosokawa Micron are able tomaintain product integrity and are even ableto handle sensitising and toxic materials.

“A Licence to Mill”Contract Processing Service Expansion

Contract Processing to meetyour needs:

● no capital expenditure● product trials & process

development● satisfy peaks in demand● Pre-installation production

of materials

Mixing - Milling - Classifying - Cryogenic - Screening

A recent order from a well known pharmaceutical manufacturer confirmsHosokawa Stott’s ability to work closely with end users and third party contractorsto meet demands for low Operator Exposure Levels and personnel protection.

The installation consisting of two different types of isolator designed for duelmode operation. When operational in isolator mode, OELs of <1 microgram/m3

8hr TWA are to be achieved whilst the laminar flow mode requires, OELs of<200 microgram/m3 8hr TWA.

‘Hosokawa Vitalair’s ability to work as partof a team and to work with changes was akey factor in choosing them as preferredsupplier for this particular installation.Their staff are excellent and their systemsof the highest quality’, said Stephan Fell,Principal Chemical Engineer, PebocDivision of Eastman Company (UK) Ltd.

When custom and fine chemical specialistmanufacturer Eastman Company (UK)Ltd’s, Peboc Division located on Anglesey,Wales needed a flexible containmentsolution to cope with the varied andchangeable demands in reactor chargingoperations, they turned to HosokawaVitalair to provide containment boothswhich were built around the actual vessels.

‘Hosokawa Vitalair supplied a bespoke system at a competitiveprice,’ continued Mr. Fell.

Offering Eastman Company (UK) Ltd’s customers a wide range ofspecialised organic intermediates and a confidential cGMP customsynthesis of substances for the pharmaceutical industry, theAnglesey site has the facilities for multipurpose pilot plant orbatch production.

It was critical therefore that any reactor charging containment system

was suitable for handling a wide variety ofsubstances and offered good levels ofprotection to the personnel, the product andthe surrounding environment to preventpotential cross contamination of products.

The single pass booth was designed byVitalair in conjunction with EastmanCompany (UK) Ltd. to fit around thecharging vessel, creating a seal betweenthe vessel and the wall of the booth. It wasnot necessary to contain the whole of thereactor vessel but rather to contain theactual process of reactor charging whichmeant that only the reactor openingneeded to be within the containment area.

A downflow of clean air passing from theceiling pushes dust particles away from

the operator’s breathing zone, lowering operator exposure levelsand providing a safe working environment.

Low level exhaust grilles allow for dust particles pushed from theoperator’s breathing zone to be removed from the booth andcollected in safe change HEPA filters. This exhaust stream alsoremoves dust particles spilled in the charging process.

‘Hosokawa Vitalair continues to impress us, which is why we willmaintain them as preferred supplier.’ Said Mr. Fell.

Impressive Solution by Vitalair

INTELLIMILL‘Each gram saved is a real gain and we can now perform much betterin a sector where high quality is crucial.’ Herbert Müller, ProcessEngineer, Siemens Axiva GmbH.

A new intelligent milling system from Hosokawa Micron offers:

■ improved batch consistency■ energy cost savings■ wastage reduction

Developed by Hosokawa Micron and Malvern Process Systems,IntelliMill is an intelligent milling system that measures particle sizedistribution and automatically adjusts its milling parameters to giveimproved batch consistency and optimum mill performance.

Integrating Insitec dry powder, on-line particle size analysis technologyfrom Malvern Process Systems and Hosokawa Micron’s air classifier millsand air jet mills with advanced process control systems gives intelligentcontrol of the plant through the IntelliMill system.

The IntelliMill system is designed for stand alone operation or with awide range of PLC comms options available for integration withcompany ERP systems, with CIP/SIP and intrinsically safe versionsavailable to suit specific customer requirements.

Together, Hosokawa Micron and Vectura Limited, one of the mostprogressive research companies in drug delivery systems, have developeda high intensity, laboratory mixer with dry coating capabilities. Suitable formixing quantities as low as 20cc the new 1ltr Cyclomix has been developedfor use with high value ingredients or where the amount of availableproduct is small.

Vectura will use the Cyclomix in the creation of new generation powdersfor improved delivery of active ingredients. The ordered mixing andcontinuous coating capability has allowed significant improvement in flowproperties and dispersibility.

Lab Scale Mixing

The Drymeister operates by atomising the wet particles in a hot gas stream. Whilst most flash dryersoperate with hot air, or nitrogen for inert operations for flammable or explosive products, the flash

drying process developed by Hosokawa incorporates the use of superheated steam as the heat source,effectively replacing nitrogen as the inert gas.

The Hosokawa Drymeister superheated steam drying process provides a single source for product sterilisation,drying, grinding and classifying for slurries and liquids with significant cost saving implications in many cases.

● Evaporation rates up to 5-6 tons per hour on slurries and liquids● Energy saving process ● No product oxidation● Kills most germs and bacteria

DRYMEISTER CONTINUOUS FLASH DRYERNEW

Drying, grinding, classifying &sterilising in one process

Customer satisfaction with existing equipment and aftersales servicewere only partly responsible for the choice of Hosokawa Micron millingequipment when powder coatings manufacturer, Sonneborn and RieckLtd. were looking to expand production capabilities at their Chesterfieldsite.

Sonneborn & Rieck, Managing Director, Peter Rieck said: “We havebeen using equipment from Hosokawa Micron for many years now andhave always found it to provide excellent performance. However, anextra factor in choosing to work with Hosokawa Micron again was theirdesign flexibility. We needed them to installthe system within very specific spacerequirements and they were able to produce anew system layout to comply with ourneeds.”

The two new air classifier mills enableSonneborn and Rieck Ltd. to increase output,improve quality, accommodate new powdertechnologies whilst minimising productioncosts and run alongside the existingequipment.

The larger capacity ACM 25 SB includes in-line secondary classification capability forthe production of powder coatings for the

rapidly developing “thin film” market.

It also has a double hinged split body design which gives superb accessfor easy cleaning. The smaller ACM 5 is ideal for production of smallbatches and the frequent cleaning capabilities allow quick systemturnaround for multiple batch production.

The Mikro ACM air classifier mill from Hosokawa Micron Ltd. is a highspeed impact pulveriser with integral dynamic classifier, capable of ultrafine grinding of many materials to D97=10 micron.

The Mikro ACM has been involved withpowder coatings since powder production firststarted in the early 1970’s. A continuous policyof research and development over the yearshas resulted in Mikro systems introducing newtechnologies into the powder coatings industrywhich are now accepted as the industrystandard.

With robust construction providing explosionpressure shock resistance to 11 bar and lownoise operation, the Mikro ACM has beenperfected for a huge range of highperformance milling applications which hasensured its successful implementation in awide range of industries.

Powder Coatings Company in the Pink

Collagen Implants for HosokawaCollagen implants by injection for hernia repair and soft tissue replacement, utilising acellularporcine collagen, is leading the way forward in natural and long-lived tissue repair andreconstruction.

Production of the few kilos, of milled collagen per month, required to produce thousands ofinjections, is now carried out by Tissue Science Laboratories using a newly installed, hygienicdesign, Rietz Angle Disintegrator complete with product collection and control system.

The collagen is cryogenically milled by attrition techniques before collection through a highefficiency cyclone into a product container. Situated in one of the cleanroom suites at TissueScience Laboratories (TSL), Swillington site, the system is designed for easy dismantling forpre and post manufacture cleaning.

TSL specialise in the manufacture and marketing of surgical implants derived from porcinedermal collagen, which is close to human and does not therefore provoke immune reactionsor rejection by the human body.

INTERPHEX USANew York, 31st March - 2nd April 2003

ACHEMAFrankfurt, 19th - 24th May 2003

INTERPHEX, ASIASingapore, 17th - 19th June 2003

IRCHEMCork, 16th - 18th September 2003

EXHIBITIONSHosokawa Micron Ltd. will be exhibiting information and equipment at thefollowing international exhibitions. Come along to the Hosokawa Micronstand and see the latest developments in powder and particle technology.

Traditional methods of process containment were not enoughwhen AstraZeneca demanded the contained micronisation of apotent compound to exacting particle size distribution whilstmaintaining ultra low OELs. Together Hosokawa Micron Ltd. andAstraZeneca rose to the challenge, creating truly innovativesolutions for personnel protection and product integrity.

AstraZeneca have a strong culture of product and technologyinnovation and a commitment to the well being of their employees.

THE CHALLENGE1. Achieve a particle size distribution with the average particle

size below 5 microns.2. Maintain an OEL of 0.01mg/m3 during processing, cleaning and

maintenance.3. To obtain minimal processing losses. 4. To integrate the process equipment into a contained environment

for optimal performance and space saving demands.

Engineers from Hosokawa Micron, Stott, Vitalair and Alpine andAstraZeneca were brought together to consider the individualdemands and the impact of each demand on the process as a whole.

‘AstraZeneca are never satisfied if the performance parameters forthe off the shelf solutions do not meet our requirements then we willseek improved technology to meet these requirements. That oftenmeans going right back to square one or even thinking outside thesquare to make the step changes necessary that take us to theforefront of pharmaceutical production.’ says John Sherwood,Associate Principal Scientist, Product Development PharmaceuticalAnalytical R & D at AstraZeneca’s Macclesfield site.

‘There are so many totally innovative aspects to this process thatit is difficult to define all the step changes we have made. I thinkit would be fair to say that the interaction of AstraZeneca andHosokawa has created a catalyst for truly innovative design andmanufacture with many technological developments which wecan take forward into other future installations.’ he continued.

THE PROCESSDrums containing purified product are presented to a HosokawaStott four chamber glove box for emptying into a hopper fromwhich the powder is fed into a screw feeder. This discharges byway of a rotary valve into the AFG 200 fluid bed microniserwhich is built to withstand a pressure shock of 10 bar for safetyreasons. Milled product is collected by a reverse jet filter.

The product stream is discharged from the reverse jet filter to arotary valve with continuous product sampling taking placebefore product drops through into a double lined keg.

Kegs are weighed on 3 separate scales for tare weight, full andgross weight.

SCADA monitoring systems operate throughout the processensuring complete and accurate control of the plant at all timeswith associated validation documentation prepared.

THE SOLUTION1. Drum emptying is protected by the quad cell contained drum

tipping system.

2 Blockages can occur in feeding systems where cohesivepharmaceutical powders are handled with the problems of leakageover a long campaign and cleaning difficulties also present.

The feeder inlet and outlet rotary valves were thereforespecially designed to operate within a glove box to provide acontained environment to meet all specifications.

3. The critical requirement for the design of the equipment toprovide for 8 hour TWA OELs below 0.01 mg/m3 meant thatthe micronising system had to be totally contained. In order tocreate a practical, space saving containment solution the millwas redesigned to fit into an isolator rather than the isolatordesigned to fit round the mill. With high classifier rotor speedscreating their own challenges regarding noise, vibration andsafety within the workspace combined with the actual 600kgweight of the monobloc design mill. The design solutiondemanded an innovative design of isolator too.

4. Both inlet and outlet rotary valves were totally redesigned inmonobloc stainless steel to create defect free internals, crevicefree construction and polished exterior to permit CIP andensure low residence of product.

‘Tests carried out when the plant was in full operation indicatedoperator exposure levels were below the target of 0.01mg/m3.Therefore the containment performance of this plant met our highexpectations,’ said John Sherwood.

Challenge, Process, SolutionCONTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY SUPPLEMENTCONTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY SUPPLEMENT

Guaranteed containment levels for types ofStott isolators and Vitalair downflow boothsare now offered for customers wheremanagement of dust containment is critical totheir process or safety of personnel. Inresponse to current Health and Safetylegislation and the increasing concentrationof active ingredients used in pharmaceuticalproduction, along with the toxicity ofingredients, Hosokawa Micron’sContainment Division has led the way insafeguarding personnel through lower andguaranteed OELs.

Independently tested andverified, 4 designs of

isolators have performedcontainment levels below 1 microgram/m3 whilst

3 designs of downflow boothachieved OELs less than

10 microgram/m3. (Tests carried out by Genesis

Environmental Ltd.)

Separate FAT tests of the equipment werecarried out, using paracetamol as the tracematerial, at Hosokawa’s in house test anddemonstration areas and witnessed by thecustomer, in accordance with standardoperating procedures.

‘It is important for the end user torecognise that the working practices thatare used can still have a significant effectupon the employees exposure in practice,despite the use of the isolators with thehigh standards of containment,’ explainsGenesis Environmental’s spokesperson.

Hosokawa Stott - IsolatorsContainment levels < 1 microgram/m3

Product Sampling IsolatorSuitable for materials presented in kegs, sacks, boxes and drums,the design features dual compartments capable of being fed andemptied manually or with automated lifting equipment.

Combining barrier containment technology with HosokawaStott’s new automatic sampling device, this isolator is availablewith optional nitrogen purging of the sampling compartment foruse with oxygen sensitive products.

Product Transfer IsolatorThis dry solids transfer isolator incorporates a tipping unit for theaccurate dispensing and dispatching of product from keg to kegunder controlled batch preparation criteria. Containment levels of< 1 microgram/m3 are offered for manual transfer of powder byscoop from keg to keg.

IBC Loading IsolatorThe two chamber unit is designed for bulk product recipepreparation and allows full keg emptying and vacuum transfer ofproduct to IBCs.

Small Charge IsolatorComprising of a keg infeed compartment and a tipping unit into asecond compartment, this unit is ideal for the dispensing ofsmall amounts ofproduct within ac o n t a i n e denvironment intoa small chargecontainer. Theoperator is able toremove productby scoop andweigh product onthe integratedweigh scale priorto depositing theproduct into atundish for accessto the smallcharge container.

Hosokawa VitalairDownflow Booths

Containment levels <10 microgram/m3

Based on thed o w n w a r df l o w o fconditionedair passingv e r t i c a l l yf r o m t h eceiling inletplenum ofthe booth,p u s h i n ga n y d u s tdownwardsa n d a w a yf r o m t h eo p e r a t o r ’sb r e a t h i n g

zone, the downflow booths offer a unique working flexibility, freefrom the constraints associated with varied container dimensions,presentation of the containers and restricted operator movements.

Sampling BoothDesigned for product sampling utilising a sample thief withproduct samples mixed in the open on integrated work benchesthe booths are designed to handle incoming powder in kegs, sacksand boxes.

Weighing BoothFor the manual transfer by powder scoop of product from one kegto another placed on the central weigh scale. Keg lifting andtilting equipment gives easy access to both donor and donee kegs.

Dispensing BoothA twin work station booth designed for the transfer of bulkpowders with high OELs from kegs to an IBC via a hopper andchute. Small charge container filling with materials with lowOELs can also be handled in this design of booth.

❝ Exhaustive testing procedures were carried out on all designs of isolators and downflow booths resulting in the totallyindependent guaranteed verification of their high performance. Customers can easily evaluate these levels whilst assessing theirparticular equipment requirements to ensure their operators can be protected during some of the most frequent and commonactivities in chemical and pharmaceutical processing.❞ said David Westmorland, Managing Director, Hosokawa Vitalair.

Dust Containment Guaranteed

International cooperation was the key to the successfulinstallation, at Bayer Crop Science, of a drum and FIBC fillingsystem designed to handle a low use rate herbicide.

The benefits of a single, integrated system supplier and thereassurance of the world wide reputation of Hosokawa, lead toBayer Crop Science’s choice of Hosokawa Micron PowderSystems based in Summit, New Jersey, USA as preferred supplier.

Hosokawa Stott and Vitalair worked closely with colleagues atHosokawa Micron Powder Systems and engineers at Bayer CropScience to create the international project team which was able tomake the installation such a success.

The filling and weighing system handles a free flowing herbicidalcompound without product loss to the environment and with afilling accuracy of +/-0.5%. Product batches are fed in acontinuous operation from the client’s overhead filter-dryer,down into the Stott filling and weighing system, all of which takesplace within a Class1, Division 2, hazardous area.

The Hosokawa Stott hygienic filling-weighing system is housedwithin a large Hosokawa Vitalair recirculation-format downflowbooth which provides secondary containment of airborne particles.

‘The combination of the two technologies working in anintegrated containment system has given the customer a uniqueconfidence in the security of the product at this critical filling andpacking stage.’ said David Westmorland, Hosokawa Vitalair.

The specially designed Vitalair downflow booth incorporates anautomated roller conveyor and turntable system to transportcontainers, through the positive pressure airlock into thecontained workstation and for container outfeed.

With personnel health and safety of paramount importance the useof personal protective equipment is minimised with operator workzones filtered to very clean levels, whilst temperature controlsallow operators to work in a comfortable environment.

The Containment Division of Hosokawa Micron has won a£1 million order for a range of containment equipment for thenew Bristol-Myers Squibb bulk pharmaceutical processing plantin Cruiserath, Ireland. The equipment offers low operatorexposure levels of below 1µg/m3 during sampling, subdivision

and reactor chargingoperations. HosokawaStott and HosokawaVitalair worked closelywith the project teamfrom Bristol-MyersSquibb and engineeringcontractors Kvaernerto develop containedpowder and liquidhandling equipmentand systems whichoffer low operationalexposure levels ofbelow 1µg/m3 insome instances.

The combination of barrier and directional airflowtechnology maximised the benefits of both technologiesand enabled the transfer of dry powder products fromand to a variety of small, medium and large containersin the most appropriate contained environment,safeguarding operators and protecting the product.

There are a number of novel features within thisinstallation, including the automatic samplingdevice and twin chamber design of the IBC loadingisolator.

Paul Gurney-Read, Kvaerner’s Global Director ofContainment Technology, says ‘Hosokawa werechosen because they offered high quality equipmentat a competitive cost and provided engineeringteams that were willing to listen and discuss the enduser’s requirements and tailor their designsaccordingly. Their approach has producedequipment which is easy to use and that will achievethe desired containment levels with greaterassurance than this technology has in the past.’

International Project Team Success

Hosokawa win £1 Million

Order Form

Hosokawa Stott -

2 x subdivision isolators

1 x sampling isolator

1 x automatic sampling device

1 x small charge isolator

2 x IBC loading isolators

Hosokawa Vitalair -

1 x sampling booth1 x subdivision booth1 IBC loading booth13 liquid handling booths

To meet the demands of the pharmaceutical, chemical and food industries for increased levels ofcontainment for personnel protection and product integrity Hosokawa are constantly developingnew products and technologies. Covering systems and equipment for containment levels from1000µg/m3 to <5µg/m3, the brochure is a complete reference for engineers sourcing and specifyingcontainment equipment to meet specific Operator Exposure Levels.

Customers wanting to find out more about the latest developments from Hosokawa Micron’sContainment Division, should order a copy of the new brochure immediately.

Email powder@hmluk.hosokawa.com

HOSOKAWA MICRON LTDRivington Road, Whitehouse Industrial Estate, Runcorn, Cheshire, England. WA7 3DS.

Tel: +44 (0) 1928 755100 Fax: +44 (0) 1928 714325 E.mail: powder@hmluk.hosokawa.com www.hosokawa.co.uk

Hosokawa goDutch on

Multiprocessor

New Containment TechnologyBrochure

CONTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY

ALPINE • BEPEX • MIKRO • RIETZ • STOTT • VITALAIR • VRIECO-NAUTA

HOSOKAWA MICRON LTD

Process Technologies For Tomorrow SM

Strong co-operation between Hosokawa Micron BV,Hosokawa Alpine AG and Hosokawa Micron Ltd has enableda pharmaceutical company in The Netherlands to manufacturesmall batches of highly potent pharmaceutical products, tohigh standards with full operator safety and product integrity,within an existing process room.

A stand-alone multiprocessor isolator unit, containing threedifferent types of mill, the collection filter and all necessaryancillaries and controls was designed in close co-operationwith the customer and Hosokawa engineers. To ensure a seamfree design and smooth project control, from design to build-up a Hosokawa Alpine AG engineer was stationed atHosokawa Micron Ltd in the UK.

The mobile unit which allows removal from the process roominto a special clean-down area, went through a series of designstages including 3D modelling and construction of a woodenmock-up for full ergonomic assessment, prior to final build toensure complete customer satisfaction.

‘For complex systems such as this, extensive co-operation andcommunication between all parties is necessary to ensurecomplete end-user satisfaction, which is why it makes sense tobuy both isolator and mill from the same supplier. On deliveryof the unit, our customer was clearly pleased with the equipmentand software he received but also the level of co-operationbetween Hosokawa Alpine AG, Hosokawa Micron Ltd andHosokawa Stott,’ said José van Klinken of Hosokawa Stott