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European Pharmaceutical Contractor
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A new legislative framework designed to protect the environment and minimise waste and pollution - the integrated pollution, prevention and control (IPPC) regulations - is currently being implemented across EU member states, bringing with it a surge of interest in emissions abatement technologies among industries where harmful emissions are produced or used. Many pharmaceutical industry manufacturers are significant solvent-users, employing a wide range of organic solvents as part of everyday production processes. These solvents, or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are harmful air pollutants and can be released at various stages of the production process from reactor vents, storage tanks and vacuum pumps. The current legislative focus on curbing air pollution means that managers of solvent-using industries are seeking ways of eliminating emissions from onsite processes. Some are waiting for developments in 'green chemistry', in the hope that solvent replacements can be found, while others are investing in long- term technological solutions that are both efficient and flexible. But as time runs out for IPPC compliance, how long can such industries afford to wait and what are the technological options open to them?
Tried and Tested Technologies
For more than a decade, many different forms of abatement technology have been tried and tested by pharmaceutical and chemical industry manufacturers. Their aim has been to recover harmful VOC emissions at their industrial source. Carbon activated technologies have been widely used, which work by trapping the VOC molecules in the pores of the carbon surface before removing them from the gas stream. Liquid carriers are also used and work by absorbing the solvent, which is dissolved and later recovered through a process of distillation.
However, the fastest developing area of technological development in emissions control, and the one which holds most promise in terms of achieving zero emissions targets, is cryogenic technology. This technology works by using liquid nitrogen to condense and effectively freeze out the VOCs from process gas streams. The benefits of VOC recovery are obvious. Not only does effective recovery protect the environment and ensure legislative compliance, but many VOCs also have a relatively high market value and can be reused. By far the main driver in the take up of solvent abatement technology, however, is legislation and keeping up with the pace of legislative change has become a primary managerial issue.
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Industry Events |
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4th Annual Patient Recruitment and Retention in Clinical Trials
13-15 October 2008, Amsterdam
Patient recruitment
is now consuming thirty percent of clinical trial time - more time than any
other clinical trial activity - and almost half of all trial delays result from
patient recruitment problems.
As the
recruiting culture becomes more sophisticated and the forces affecting patient
enrollment grow more numerous and complex, pharmaceutical companies are
striving to discover new strategies to facilitate enrollment in clinical
trials.
With
increasing industry pressure to develop, test and market greater numbers of new
drugs faster, pharmaceutical companies need to perform clinical trials as
quickly as possible. Inefficient patient recruitment processes is a formidable
barrier to pharmaceutical companies' success in launching new products.
Improving the patient recruitment process is imperative to avoid wasted
investments and eliminate costly delays in bringing new drugs to market --
today and even more so in the not-so-distant future. Improved patient
recruitment presents one of the largest opportunities for pharmaceutical
companies to eliminate delays in clinical trials, thereby making it possible to
reduce time to market. With patent time limits and large overheads
meaning that any delays in the development timeline can be disastrous, a good
understanding of how to successfully recruit patients for trials is vital for
any company looking to succeed.
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News and Press Releases |
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Azopharma Product Development Group, Inc
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Azopharma Product Development Group, Inc. (“Azopharma”) announced today the addition of innovative state-of-the-art equipment at its formulation and manufacturing division, ApiCross Drug Delivery Technologies in Hollywood, Florida. The most recent acquisition is the MG Futura Capsule Filler which delivers the latest in capsule filling technology. The company has also added a Bausch & Strobel Aseptic Filling Isolator, equipment that is ground-breaking in the powder filling process. These additions support our previously implemented XcelodoseTM powder micro-dosing system. With these technologies, Azopharma is able to provide its clients with all forms of the capsule filling process. The new equipment is part of Azopharma’s recent manufacturing expansion which includes 17 new manufacturing suites for GMP, cytotoxic and aseptic products...
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