L.B. Bohle Innovativ 02/2017 EN

INNOVATIV 2 | 2017 

Looking back at Interpack 

Interview with the two CEO’s 

Twin-screw granulator BCG

Dear Readers 

2017 is again characterized by numerous 

innovations and highlights for L.B. Bohle 

Maschinen + Verfahren GmbH. At the 

beginning of the year, we, Dipl. Ing. Tim 

Remmert and Dipl. Ing. Thorsten Wesselmann, were handed over the 

management of Lorenz. B. Bohle’s company. First of all, we would like 

to sincerely thank Mr. Bohle for putting his trust in us. Lorenz Bohle will 

support and advise the company as Chairman of the Advisory Board as 

he continues to contribute his ideas and expertise. 

The first eight months have been characterized by trust and continuity 

on the one hand and trade fair highlights, machine innovations and the 

expansion of the Sassenberg site on the other. Both the customers and 

the employees value the continuity and reliability of our work, and the 

relationship of trust in particular is a decisive argument to maintain our 

successful position in the market. 

It continues to be the goal of L.B. Bohle Maschinen + Verfahren GmbH 

to be an independent medium-sized enterprise that is an innovator and 

technology leader in the pharmaceutical supplier segment where standards 

and benchmarks are set. With our developments and machines 

for continuous production, we contribute to shaping future production 

processes of an entire industry. It will certainly take some time until the 

final breakthrough is achieved in this area but we are already setting 

technological standards with our modular system today. 

In the workshop for continuous production that will take place from 

19-21 September 2017 at our Technology Center, we will demonstrate 

the benefits of the production technology and of our continuous system 

with internationally renowned experts and speakers. The system by 

L.B. Bohle is the only one worldwide which can produce film-coated 

tablets through direct compression, dry compacting and wet granulation. 

At Interpack, the leading trade fair in Düsseldorf, we presented our 

concepts for batch and continuous processes to an international audience. 

Together with our cooperation partner, KORSCH AG, the specialist for 

tablet presses, we demonstrated our expertise and attracted the largest 

number of visitors in our company’s history. 

This interest in our machines and processes clearly shows that we are 

right on track for the future as technology leader and innovator “Made 

in Germany”. We will continue in line with Lorenz Bohle’s claim and 

produce machines “that are better than the market”. 

In order to meet the increasing demands, in particular for complex and 

interlinked handling systems, we are currently investing in the Sassenberg 

site and are expanding the construction complex by more than 600 m². 

Dear readers, as you can see, we can reflect on an eventful year so far. 

We look forward to continued success and cooperation with you and 

the challenges ahead. 

Kind regards, 

Tim Remmert und Thorsten Wesselmann 

2 INNOVATIV 2 | 2017

Interpack 2017 – 

Strongest visitor interest ever 

Joint trade fair appearance with KORSCH AG met with great enthusiasm 

Interpack 2017 was a great success for L.B. Bohle Maschinen + 

Verfahren GmbH. At the joint booth with KORSCH AG comprising an 

area of more than 450 m², there was an endless coming and going 

of international customers requesting information on the latest trends 

in batch and continuous production from the special machine builder 

from Ennigerloh. 

Already in 2016, the management of L.B. Bohle and KORSCH began 

planning a joint appearance at Interpack 2017 in Düsseldorf in order to 

draw more attention. “We know each other very well due to joint activities 

surrounding the development of the continuous production plant at the 

Technology Center and many similar representations worldwide. We have 

worked together successfully on various projects many times, therefore 

it made sense to also exhibit together at a leading international trade 

fair,” states Tim Remmer, Executive Director of L.B. Bohle Maschinen + 

Verfahren GmbH. The visitors were enthused by the joint booth concept, 

the machines on display and the comprehensive consultation. 

Extensive product portfolio for batch production 

L.B. Bohle attached great emphasis on proving the comprehensive 

core competence in the production of pharmaceutical solid particles at 

Interpack. The medium-sized enterprise offers an extensive portfolio for 

batch and continuous production. 

INNOVATIV 2 | 2017 3

Another attraction: Andreas 

Teske (middle) informs about 

the dry granulator BRC. 

The large product range of granulation solutions was covered by three 

machines at Interpack. The BRC 25 represented the dry granulation 

segment. The impressive granulation system Compact Unit, a combination 

of fluid bed and high-shear granulation, sets the standard when 

it comes to flexibility, a smooth process flow and efficiency combined 

with a small footprint. 

With the BCG 25, the developers from Bohle presented a new twinscrew 

granulator to the international audience. The BCG can be used as 

a stand-alone system or fully integrated into the continuous production 

line by Bohle. 

Another innovation, the tablet checker KA 280, celebrated its European 

premiere at Interpack. Following the presentation of the latest 

generation of the KA at PMEC in Mumbai and Interphex in New York, 

the KA also excited the European audience. The machine can check up 

to one million tablets per hour. 

The film coater BFC 400 was presented as a high-end version of Bohle’s 

coater models for pharmaceutical film coating. With a 40 percent higher 

output compared to competing products and the best uniformity (RSD < 

two percent), the BFC underscores the technological edge. 

An alternative to the traditional coating drum is offered by a slotted 

coater drum which has been used for coating miniature tablets in numerous 

productions since 2009. This drum was designed with a corresponding 

perforation in which not only standard but also extremely small cores 

with a diameter of 1.5 millimetres can be coated. 


An absolute highlight in hall 17: 

the Compact Unit consisting of 

BFS 240 and GMA 600. 

The newly presented KA 280 aroused great 

interest. The usage in pharma and food 

production shows its flexibility. 

“We have presented ourselves as a comprehensive solution provider at 

Interpack – and successfully conveyed this message. The customer can 

get highly efficient and flexible products from one source,” sums up 

Thorsten Wesselmann, Executive Director. 

Continuous processes as pillars 

Continuous manufacturing processes were a central topic at Interpack. 

With the continuous production plant in modular set-up, L.B. Bohle offers 

a production line which allows direct compression, wet granulation 

and dry compacting. For the Chairman of the Advisory Board, Lorenz 

Bohle, continuous production is an important pillar for a successful 

future of the company. After all, “the constant further development of 

continuous production creates a sound base for competing with global 

corporations in terms of technology as a medium-sized machine-builder.” 

More than 170,000 visitors at Interpack attest to the international 

profile and significance of the trade fair. L.B. Bohle Maschinen + Verfahren 

GmbH set a clear benchmark for its own position in the market and 

thanks all customers and guests for their visit to the trade fair. 

For further information on Interpack visit: 

www.lbbohle.de | www.lbbohle.com 

www.your-process-in-mind.com 


»Customers put trust 

in our know-how« 

An interview with Tim Remmert and Thorsten Wesselmann 

After a sluggish start into the business year 2017, L. B. Bohle Maschinen 

+ Verfahren has gained momentum in the second quarter. “May has 

been our best month in years,” reports Executive Director Tim Remmert. 

For the 2017 financial year, he and his Co-Executive Director Thorsten 

Wesselmann estimate that the sales forecast of EUR “50 million plus 

X” will definitely be reached. In an interview, they take a look back at 

their first months at the top management level. 

How did business develop in the first quarter 2017? 

Tim Remmert: We are fully on track again after a rather weak quarter. 

The sluggish start was to be expected since we had a very strong 2016, 

especially in Germany. More and more pharmaceutical companies are 

»Experts worldwide no longer 

wonder whether it is possible, but 

when the breakthrough will come. 

The ‘point of no return’ has already 

been passed.« 

Thorsten Wesselmann 

characterized by corporate structures and have long decision-making 

routes. But from April onwards, demand picked up. And May has been 

our best month in years. 

What does this delay mean for L.B. Bohle and the production? 

Tim Remmert: The pre-project stages are becoming longer. And 

when decisions have finally been made, there is often little time left for 

implementation. 

Thorsten Wesselmann: Our machines must be tailored to the individual 

customer and some also need to be developed further. This means 

we usually require a lead time of three months. As a technology leader, 

we benefit from our customers’ trust in our long-standing expertise. 

It is important that we have also gained a foothold among the global 

companies so that we are considered by the purchasers in almost all 

large-scale projects. 

Which regions have developed especially well in 2017? 

Remmert: Order intake is stable in general. Russia still demonstrates 

an above-average growth as the government massively supports the 

establishment of an independent pharmaceutical industry. Moreover, 

the exchange rate has stabilized. This means that companies have more 

foreign currency for investments. 

What about other parts of Europe? 

Remmert: Germany and the EU countries remain at a solid level. Brexit 

has had no significant impact because business in the UK was rather 

difficult anyway and not as significant. Demand in Switzerland, the 

home of several major pharmaceutical companies, is developing very 

positively. Currently, we are even establishing a Bohle subsidiary there. 

What efforts are being made in Asia and North and South 

America? 

Remmert: In China, we have reinforced our sales team with two new 

members. Our special focus is on India as a booming pharmaceuticals 

market. Most recently, we were able to place several reference plants 

on the market. But still, all markets are difficult in Asia. They require 

perseverance. In North America, we are at the previous year’s level 

but there is still room for further sales. The development in Argentina 

and Chile is very pleasing. On the other hand, Brazil has lost its im- 


The two CEO’s Tim Remmert (r.) and 

Thorsten Wesselmann (l.) in front of 

the KOCO ® at the Technology Center. 

portance as a growing driver almost completely due to the economic 

and government crisis. 

L.B. Bohle has been pushing continuous production forward 

for years: How far has the development advanced? When will 

the market be ready for the first plant? 

Wesselmann: There is a great deal of interest in continuous production. 

For experts worldwide, its is no longer a question of “if”, but rather 

“when” the breakthrough will come. It is the same as with e-mobility. 

But everybody in the industry knows: The “point of no return” has already 

been passed. At the same time, we have to be aware that we will need 

perseverance because new long-term production plants are planned. 

How can you facilitate the breakthrough of the new procedures? 

Wesselmann: At the Technology Center, we make first -class development 

and testing facilities available to customers and scientists. Moreover, we 

are actively advancing the topic with international conferences – e.g. 

from 19 – 21 September 2017 in Ennigerloh. 

What potential does continuous production offer? 

Wesselmann: For pharmaceutical manufacturers, it leads to shorter time 

to market, more flexible production including small batches and highest 

precision and quality due to comprehensive process monitoring and 

control. All in all, the pharmaceutical industry can save time and money. 

Remmert: For machine builders like us, the technology still offers 

considerable growth potential: A complete continuous production 

plant quickly reaches an investment volume of EUR six to 20 million 

(depending on the operating parameters) and the first steps will 

certainly be partial solutions. 


How did the first joint trade fair appearance in cooperation 

with KORSCH AG pay out in this regard? 

Remmert: We clearly see great potential in an even closer cooperation 

with KORSCH AG. At Interpack, we drew the attention of more visitors 

than ever before. Many of them praised the strategic, logical step, as we 

are two of the few medium-sized companies that are on par with the 

large corporations when it comes to technology. Short decision-making 

processes and financial independence enable us to implement new 

developments faster and more flexibly than our competitors. This is why 

we will be having a joint appearance at Achema again. 

You took over operational responsibility from the company 

founder Lorenz Bohle at the beginning of 2017. What was 

the response to this change from the industry and from the 

company? 

Remmert: Since we have been working closely with our industry 

contacts, partners and customers for many years, this management 

change was very seemless. Moreover, we intentionally always emphasize 

continuity. And most importantly, Lorenz Bohle gladly supports us 

whenever we need it. 

Wesselmann: We not only feel the trust of the customers but also that 

of the employees. Internally, we have used the good foundation and 

processes to put responsibility on a broader footing. This means that 

we regularly discuss current projects and developments. We continue to 

have a mutual trust between management and our employees. 

Flexibility is all that matters: direct compression, dry or wet 

granulation are possible with this equipment. In September, 

a workshop will take place at the Technology Center. 


New, more flexible BCG 

Twin-screw granulation as an easy and efficient starting 

point to enter the world of continuous manufacturing 

The new BCG 25 is a magnet for visitors: Dr. Robin Meier 

explains the twin-screw ganulator’s benefits. 

well-established and extensively described method to perform 

A continuous wet granulation is twin-screw granulation (TSG). In the 

beginning of the 2000s and in the years that followed, the process was 

described and followed up by several research groups. TSG is a fully continuous 

process by design and can be a starting point for pharmaceutical 

companies to launch activities related to continuous manufacturing. 

Compared to batch granulation, continuous granulation is characterized 

by a constant in- and output of material through the processing zone. 

Powder is delivered to two screws, which are co-rotating in a barrel and 

transport and shear the material along the process to the granulator 

outlet. The major difference between TSG and extrusion is the missing die 

plate at the end of the machine. Consequently, the wet material does not 

experience a strong densification, but solely falls out of the granulator. 

The TSG-setup yields several advantages, such as: 

• short process residence times < 1 min - 10 s 

• fast and efficient reaction to process and quality deviations 

• reduction of machine footprint and GMP-area: the amount 

of produced granules is determined by the production time 


• thereby, elimination of scale-up issues 

• mixing and granulation in one step 

• possibility to implement 100 % in-line product quality-control 

• no disposal of failure batches – only non-conforming 

material is rejected 

• execution of experimental plans in shortest time 

The definitive TSG does not exist. In fact, a TSG provides plenty of 

adjustable parameters and possibilities to vary the setup. Furthermore, 

different machines, mainly feeders, can be employed alongside the process, 

which increases the degree of freedom of the system even further. The 

BCG 25 (Bohle Conti Granulator), which was newly developed for the 

Technology Center in the headquarters in Ennigerloh, is the heart of the 

wet granulation part of the Bohle Continuous Production Line. The “25” 

stands for the diameter of one screw, which is 25 mm. The BCG 25 is 

a result of years of experience in twin-screw granulation and features 

several advantages compared to conventional twin-screw granulators 

on the market. It is divided into five zones of equal length, from which 

the last three can be tempered (heating or cooling) independently from 

each other. Depending on the needs of the customer, the first two zones 

can be built to be tempered (e.g. for melt granulation). The temperatures 

of the different zones are major parameters which can manipulate the 

product characteristics, especially during the granulation of freely soluble 

compounds. Therefore, within the recently developed version of the BCG, 

a highly effective and flexible tempering of the top and the lower part 

of the barrel is realized. This unique way of tempering ensures constant 

processing temperatures over time and prevents the generation of 

excessive heat to avoid damage to the material. 

Each of the five zones offers the possibility to insert different ports in 

it, which easily facilitates powder feeding and liquid dosing at different 

and even multiple positions of the process, without the need to change 

much of the setup. Thus, split-feeding can be realized and shear sensitive 

materials can be added at a later part of the process. Furthermore, the 

implementation of process analytical technologies at various positions 

of the granulator is realized. This enables the investigation of critical 

quality attributes of the product with techniques such as near-infraredor 

Raman-spectroscopy. 

Fast changeover of screw 

One important feature of the BCG is the tiltable barrel, allowing for a 

fast changeover of the screw configuration as well as a fast cleaning 

and inspection of the processing zone. This simplifies R&D activities and 

improves process understanding as the behavior of the material inside 

the barrel can be inspected. 

Closed barrel of the BCG 25, featuring 

the flexible insertable ports and the 

liquid addition zone. 


An important characteristic is the screw diameter and the length to diameter 

ratio of the screws. To cover a wide range of throughputs from a 

few kg/h up to more than 50 kg/h (which is always material depending), 

at L.B. Bohle by standard a screw diameter of 25 mm and a length of 

20 x D is applied, but this is adjustable to the specific process demands. 

Small nozzles prevent blockage 

Virtually an infinite number of different screw configurations is possible 

by combining different types of elements, which results in granules of 

different characteristics. Porosity, compactibility, granule size, etc. are 

subject to this influence. Conveying elements are used to convey the 

material through the barrel with minimal input of shear energy. The 

pitch of the elements can also be varied, to alter the conveyed mass per 

screw revolution. Kneading elements are thin discs or longer blocks. The 

imparted shear energy increases and the conveying capacity decreases 

with an increasing advanced angle of the kneading zone. An intermediate 

between these two extremes is represented by distributive flow elements, 

which feature conveying capacity as well as shear energy. To conserve 

the screws and the barrel, the screws are specially mounted, very steadily 

agitated and prevented from moving radially inside the barrel, which 

could cause damage to screws and the barrel itself. 

The introduction of liquid into the process is of major importance 

and the accuracy and precision of this sub-process has to be ensured. 

Therefore, within the BCG, a pressurized pump is employed, to deliver 

the liquid in a pulsation-free way as a constant stream, even at lowest 

feeding rates or viscosities > 1 Pas. In this innovative setup, we apply 

nozzles with very small openings in order to prevent a blockage of the 

nozzles through bypassing powder, to guarantee process stability and 

to prevent the creation of huge and lumpy granule-nuclei due to the 

generated small liquid droplets. Thereby, wetting uniformity of the whole 

mass and the granulation of even hydrophobic powders becomes easily 

feasible. The controls of the pump are naturally implemented in the overall 

control of the granulator and feature precise control of the feeding rate 

and cutouts when exceeding the preset pressure limit. 

The flexibility of TSG and how easy it is to adopt this process qualify it 

as a perfect and versatile tool for the continuous production of granules 

in research and development as well as in production, and thus can be 

a door opener into the world of continuous manufacturing. 

Opened barrel with front view on the 

screws, which are the heartpiece and 

the processing zone of the BCG 25. 

Total view on the 

compact and 

movable BCG 25. 


Workshop on continuous production 

Technology Center welcomes experts in September 

Through the workshop on continuous production, L.B. Bohle offers its 

customers, interested parties and industry professionals the possibility 

to gather initial experience in working with continuous production systems. 

The globally unique system at the Technology Center in Ennigerloh 

enables continuous production of film coated tablets through direct 

compression, dry compacting and wet granulation. L.B. Bohle offers its 

customers all continuous process steps from the powder through to the 

coated tablet from one source. 

At the workshop from 19-21 September 2017, the participants 

are going to learn all about the following topics: 

• Continuous process by L.B. Bohle 

• Tablet compressing in continuous production 

• Formulations of solids in continuous production 

• Challenges associated with dosing and blending pharmaceutical solids 

• PAT in continuous production 

• Continuous production in generics manufacturing 

• Correlations between quality control and process control 

The practical exercises at the continuous production plant accompanying 

the comprehensive lectures will certainly be a highlight. In practical 

demonstrations conducted over several hours, all process steps will be 

presented and the production of tablets will be showcased. 

In addition to presentations by the cooperation partner Gericke and 

KORSCH AG, Prof. Dr. Kleinebudde of HHU Düsseldorf, Dr. Hubertus 

Rehbaum and Ajay Pazhayattil of Apotex are going to give lectures on 

continuous production. 

Registration at: 

www.bit.ly/registration_bohle 

The workshop fee per person will be € 985.00 

For further information please visit: 

www.continuous-production.com 


With the KOCO ® L.B. Bohle is technologically at the cutting 

edge. Shortest cycle times and tolerance deviations when 

applying the suspension of under 3% are only two advantages. 


Plant 2: First dig of the 

shovel for building extension 

Expansion of the construction complex will 

be completed at the end of the year 

At the beginning of July, the expansion of the construction at the 

Sassenberg site started with an official ground-breaking ceremony. 

Together with the extension, the total area of the construction complex 

will be 1,040 m² in the future. In 2011, L. B. Bohle Maschinen + Verfahren 

GmbH had already invested EUR 2.5 million in the development at Plant 

2. With a total area of 3,500 m², handling machines and blenders will 

be constructed and produced at that site. 

Ever since it was established in 2000, the Sassenberg site has taken a 

special role in the company structure of L.B. Bohle Maschinen + Verfahren 

GmbH. “The production in our Plant 2 is very innovative and effective. 

The consistently high production figures over the past years contributed 

to the growth of the overall company,” states Thorsten Wesselmann, 

Executive Director. “Especially lifting columns and blenders as well as 

our containers are in high demand on the market. The same applies to 

sieving systems, combined systems or containment solutions. With that 

in mind, the expansion of the construction complex was a wise decision 

and absolutely necessary,” explains Thorsten Wesselmann. 

The company founder and Chairman of the Advisory Board, Lorenz 

Bohle, took over construction management and keeps a close eye on the 

schedule. “We will be able to move into the building at the end of the 

year. The latest technology will be installed in the offices, meeting rooms 

and archives. The total investment amounts to EUR 1 million,” states 

Lorenz Bohle. “Thanks to the new construction, we are now prepared 

for future production increases.” 

The extension in Sassenberg progesses 

quickly. The offices should be ready for 

move-in by the end of the year. 


L.B. Bohle re-approved as 

“known consignor“ 

Certification by the Federal Aviation 

Office successfully completed 

B. Bohle Maschinen + Verfahren GmbH again passed the certification 

L. process by the Federal Aviation Office (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt, LBA) with 

flying colors. Plant 2 in Sassenberg has been re-approved as a “known 

consignor”. Due to the completed documentation, L.B. Bohle becomes 

part of a secure supply chain when delivering freight to the customer. 

In contrast to the traditional international shipment of the product, 

the classification as “known consignor” guarantees that L.B. Bohle has 

created a standardized procedure for secure airfreight handling and 

has implemented the official requirements of the LBA. The certification 

(validation) as “known consignor” proves that all conditions for handling 

secure air freight in civil aviation are documented and implemented. The 

known consignor independently ensures that the identified air freight/air 

mail is adequately protected against unauthorized access or tampering 

at its company site or on its premises. 

Thus, the identified air freight of the known consignor does not have to 

be subjected to another control but can be “securely” handed over to 

any company with the status of a regulated agent. 

After L.B. Bohle had successfully passed the validation in summer 

2013 for the first time, the second validation came this year. All regulations 

pertaining to air freight were examined and fulfilled. Furthermore, 

all of the processes and documents at the company complied with the 

regulations of the LBA, so that the LBA commission re-issued the “known 

consignor” certificate for L.B. Bohle. 

For Thorsten Wesselmann, Technical Director, this certification is very 

important as “we continue to offer our customers excellent service with 

this certification which accelerates the shipping process and thus saves 

the customer time and money.” 

Customer satisfaction is a valuable asset 

For the innovative machine builder L.B. Bohle, customer satisfaction 

is a continuing goal and an essential indicator of the quality of 

services provided by the company. The quality of the goods and the 

customer relations as well as the corresponding measures implemented 

towards exceeding customer expectations are constantly 

being monitored. 

L.B. Bohle aims to maximize customer satisfaction by keeping 

the promises made from the initial sales discussions, to the product 

brochures, right through to the quality of the end product or service. 

It is critical for L.B. Bohle to systematically follow up and improve 

the products and services after delivery. Therefore, we sincerely rely 

on the feedback of our customers. 

Please support us and our processes and take 

a few minutes to answer our questionnaire at: 

www.bit.ly/satisfaction_bohle 


L.B. Bohle 

Maschinen + Verfahren GmbH 

Industriestraße 18 

D-59320 Ennigerloh 

+49 (0) 2524 9323-0 

+49 (0) 2524 9323-399 

info@lbbohle.com 

www.lbbohle.com 

© Copyright by L.B. Bohle

L.B. Bohle Innovativ 02/2017 EN

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