Industry experts from across Europe convene in Cologne for a two-day event focused on formulation, processing, and digital solutions in nutraceutical production
Romaco Kilian recently hosted a two-day “Nutraceuticals Get-together” in Cologne, Germany, in partnership with BIOGRUND, TaBlitz, Romaco Innojet, and Romaco Tecpharm. The event gathered around 20 participants from six European countries to address the specific challenges of nutraceutical manufacturing and explore cross-functional solutions across formulation, compression, and coating processes.
The meet-up was designed to focus on industry-specific concerns in handling nutraceutical ingredients, which are typically limited in number due to the need to avoid chemical additives. Processing natural ingredients poses significant challenges: plant-based raw materials tend to be sticky and poorly flowing, while minerals can be highly abrasive and damage tooling. These factors complicate the compression and stability of the final dosage form.
Seven expert lectures were presented over the two days, each offering insights into various stages of the nutraceutical manufacturing process. Key topics included granulation, tableting, and coating, as well as the application of AI tools and data analytics for process optimisation. A practical session in Romaco Kilian’s KiTech tableting lab allowed participants to conduct compression tests using the KTP 1X compaction simulator and observe granulation with Romaco Innojet’s VENTILUS® Lab fluid bed processor.
“We purposely kept the number of attendees small to encourage lively interaction and allow for meaningful dialogue between participants and speakers,” said Marcus Gallmann, Sales Director at Romaco Kilian. “Our objective was to share practical know-how and provide a clear picture of the diverse ways we can support the industry – from machines and tools to ingredients and data analysis techniques.”
Romaco Innojet’s session explored the production of free-flowing granulates with precise particle sizes and discussed hot melt coatings for masking bitter tastes. Romaco Kilian’s presentation addressed requirements for tableting sticky, poorly flowing powders, and highlighted digital tools for data evaluation in tablet development. BIOGRUND covered the functionality of lubricants, alternatives to magnesium stearate, and the disintegration behaviour of tablets.
The significance of tablet design in nutraceutical product development was emphasised by TaBlitz, which showcased an AI-supported platform for digital feasibility studies and tooling assessment. The AI evaluates factors like swallowability and coatability. Romaco Tecpharm concluded the presentations with insights into coating methods, including film and sugar coatings in drum coaters.
“We’re thoroughly satisfied with the outcome of the Nutraceuticals Get-together,” said Dr Carola Hanl, KiTech Laboratory Manager at Romaco Kilian. “It confirmed once again how specific issues are intertwined and mutually dependent. Keeping an eye on all of these factors and evaluating them accordingly is an essential element of successful development work. Our industry meet-up demonstrated very impressively the importance of sharing ideas and experiences and showed what can be achieved through good cooperation.”
Participants represented manufacturers from Germany, Switzerland, Poland, the Netherlands, Czechia, and the United Kingdom.
