Newsletter_07-2023_EN

EN 07/23 

Optimizing Production 

Processes through 

Modularization

Fraunhofer IWS at Laser World of Photonics 

Optimizing Production 

Processes through Modularization 

Improved speed, precision and flexibility – it is important to take advantage of every possible opportunity in optimizing 

production. To this end, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS have developed 

SURFinpro, a solution that uses artificial intelligence and optical measurement technology to detect, classify and visualize 

defects in real time, and report them to the plant carrying out the production. The experts will be presenting their system 

from June 27 to 30, 2023, at Laser World of Photonics, joint Fraunhofer Booth 441 in Hall A3. 

Ultra-light, ultra-thin, exceptionally reliable, all while reaching rapid 

production speeds — Dr. Christopher Taudt, group manager for 

Surface Metrology at the Zwickau-based Fraunhofer Application 

Center for Optical Metrology and Surface Technologies AZOM, part 

of Fraunhofer IWS, and his team ensures that product promises like 

these turn into reality. Together the scientists have developed a system 

that detects surface defects, artifacts as well as texture changes, 

and that evaluates them with the support of artificial intelligence. 

This process can capture 3D-information of surfaces rapidly and 

in high resolution. The measurement data is used to generate supplementary 

information in-line for ongoing production processes. 

“The system does not just detect defects — it classifies them at the 

same time and immediately establishes a wider context. Our customers 

receive information about the type of defect, along with many 

other parameters like the defect’s density, geometric dimensions 

and frequency,” adds Taudt. “This represents a significant added value 

compared to conventional systems.” 

Higher Precision at Greater Speeds 

The measurement system has been operating successfully in industry 

for more than a year, analyzing a roll-to-roll process with substrates 

widths of 70 centimeters. In order to leverage further potential for 

optimization, Christopher Taudt and the SURFinpro team are training 

the system within ongoing production using a defect catalog. 

As defects are reported, they are fed into a neural network, thereby 

refining the detection accuracy. The researchers use the measurement 

information to check if new defects occur or existing defects 

are modified, which requires a dynamic response of the system. “On 

the one hand, we are working to develop better neural networks that 

require less data,” explains the scientist, “in addition, we are also developing 

new training strategies within ongoing operation.” 

The experts of the Fraunhofer AZOM are currently adapting 

their technology to new fields of application, such as continuous fiber-composite 

manufacturing processes. “Here, our partners are not 

Using artificial intelligence and optical measurement technology, SURFinpro detects, classifies and visualizes defects in real time as the process is 

ongoing. © Fraunhofer IWS 

www.reinraum.de | www.cleanroom-online.com NEWSLETTER | Edition EN 06-2023 

page 2/43

Thanks to a sophisticated modularization approach using efficient 

components, SURFinpro has a wide variety of potential deployments 

and is easy to adapt. © Shutterstock/Fraunhofer IWS 

only interested in avoiding near-surface defects, they also want the 

technology to be able to identify and assess components in multiple 

dimensions,” explains Taudt. Another target group that the team 

envisages for the algorithms and defect-classification system is the 

semiconductor industry, for example in the production of flexible 

semiconductor materials. 

Currently, the Fraunhofer AZOM solution uses a maximum of 

four cameras. In a next step, the researchers envision to add additional 

camera systems. This would be beneficial regardless of the process 

being assessed, from fiber-composite processes involving very 

large components to traditional roll-to-roll processes, like those used 

in the photovoltaic industry, for example. 

Another key aspect for the scientists is the system speed. For 

fiber-reinforced plastics in particular, but also in textile processing, 

very short cycle times need to be particularly rapid. “Increasing 

speed is an important issue and we have the expertise to meet these 

requirements. Our solution uses machine learning and artificial intelligence 

technologies firstly for the actual analysis, but also in order 

to accelerate the assessment steps,” explains the group manager, adding: 

“An effective measurement analysis process consists of a manageable 

number of individual steps that filter and reduce data. We 

are continuously developing new technologies in this area in order 

to make this process even faster and to extract the same amount of 

information from less data, for example.” 

Intelligent and Ingeniously Modular 

The scientists believe that one of the key characteristics of their 

system is its modularity. Thanks to a sophisticated modularization 

approach using efficient components, SURFinpro provides a wide 

variety of potential deployments and is easy to adapt: “Many of the 

technologies that we use in our system have been developed as 

standalone components in a way that they can also be implemented 

effectively in various other contexts and projects.” The Fraunhofer 

AZOM researchers’ project is a prime example of how successful and 

practicable this modular approach can be. 

This year’s Laser World of Photonics will see Christopher Taudt 

and his team present their solution, using an example application of 

a roll-to-roll process for producing flexible solar cells. Visitors to the 

trade show from June 27 to 30 will be able to see the solution carrying 

out data capture and analysis of an ongoing process in real time at 

joint Fraunhofer booth 441 in Hall A3. 

Fraunhofer-Institut für Werkstoff- und Strahltechnik IWS 

D 01277 Dresden 

JULY 2023 

Dear cleanroom professionals 

and interested parties, 

14 days ago you received our new 

NEWSFLASH and now we have 

the detailed NEWSLETTER is 

available again. Here, too, the design 

has been refined and we hope that 

you like the new look. 

We hope you enjoy reading the 

information collected for you in the 

hot month of June: 

> Optimizing Production Processes 

through Modularization 

> quattroClean snow jet technology 

uses green cleaning medium 

> Cherwell to highlight how expanding 

EM portfolio solves Annex 1 

challenges at Cell & Gene Therapy 

Conference 

> The World’s Smallest Impedance 

Spectroscopy System in the Form 

of a Pill 

> Finds Weak Spots in Machines 

and People 

Targeted surface finishing of femur 

components with high process stability 

and increased productivity 

With kind regards 

Reinhold Schuster 

PS: When the invitation to the 

cleanroom consultation, the 

NEWSLETTER was already ready: 

Date: 05.07.2023 | Time: 15:00 

Duration: approx. 1 hour 

Format: online video conference 

https://www.cleanroomfuture.com/ 

reinraum-sprechstunde 


page 3/43

acp systems awarded GreenScreen Certified for Cleaners & Degreasers 

quattroClean snow jet technology 

uses green cleaning medium 

As the first manufacturer of a dry chemical cleaning technology, acp systems AG has received Clean Production Action‘s 

GreenScreen Certified for Cleaners & Degreasers for its quattroClean snow jet technology in combination with CO2 gas 

from Linde. The independent, non-profit organization identifies and certifies “green” cleaning media with chemical properties 

that are safe for humans and the environment, based on scientifically sound, transparent criteria. 

Since mid-April, acp has been able to clearly 

prove that the liquid carbon dioxide 

from Linde used for full-surface or partial 

dry cleaning with the quattroClean snow jet 

technology is a “green” cleaning medium. 

The company is the first manufacturer of a 

dry cleaning process to be awarded Green- 

Screen Certified for Cleaners & Degreasers, 

which applies to all industrial applications, 

especially electronics manufacturing. The 

certificate confirms that the process gas 

does not contain any chemical substances 

that are harmful to humans or the environment. 

Safe cleaning media to protect workers 

and the environment 

GreenScreen is a globally recognized tool for 

evaluating and benchmarking chemicals based 

on their hazard potential. With Green- 

Screen Certified for Cleaners & Degreasers, 

Clean Production Action (CPA) has created 

a benchmark specifically for cleaning 

media used as process chemicals in manufacturing, 

with a focus on the electronics 

industry. The background is the IPC-1402 

Standard for Green Cleaners Used in Electronics 

Manufacturing, jointly developed by 

IPC (Association Connecting Electronics 

Industries), Apple and other international 

companies, which has been available since 

mid-2022. This defines the criteria that a 

“green” cleaner must meet in the electronics 

industry. Well-known manufacturers were 

also among CPA‘s partners when the certification 

standard for cleaning media was 

developed. Certification guarantees that the 

products tested by an independent organization 

according to scientifically sound and 

freely-accessible criteria are free from PFAS 

(Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) and 

other chemicals of concern. The test limits 

are 100 ppm. 

Safety for users from all industrial sectors 

The scalable quattroClean snow jet technology 

uses recycled liquid carbon dioxide 

produced during chemical manufacturing 

processes and energy generation from biomass, 

which is fed through a wear-free twosubstance 

ring nozzle. On exiting, the CO2 

expands to form fine snow particles, which 

are bundled by a jacket jet of compressed air, 

accelerated to supersonic speed and directed 

precisely onto the surface to be cleaned. 

In the process, the jet triggers four mechanisms 

of action that reliably remove particulate 

contamination down to the sub-micrometer 

range as well as filmic contamination. 

The process is deployed in the electronics & 

semiconductor industries and in communications 

technology, as well as in medical & 

pharmaceutical technology, battery & fuel 

cell production, microsystems technology 

and other sectors. The GreenScreen certification 

ensures that the health of personnel 

and the environment are not endangered 

when using the process. 

The quattroClean snow jet technology, in combination 

with process gas from Linde, meets 

the requirements for green cleaning media in 

the electronics industry. 

(Photo credit: acp systems) 

The GreenScreen certificate independently 

certifies that the carbon dioxide from Linde 

used in the quattroClean snow jet process is 

a “green” cleaning medium that protects the 

health of personnel and the environment. 

(Photo credit: acp systems) 

acp systems AG 

Berblingerstraße 8 

D71254 Ditzingen 

Telefon: +49 7156 480140 

eMail: mail@acp-systems.com 

Internet: http://acp-systems.com 


page 4/43

New RMM system addition to product range means Cherwell can fully support 

EM programmes for Annex 1 compliant contamination control strategies. 

Cherwell to highlight how expanding 

EM portfolio solves Annex 1 challenges 

at Cell & Gene Therapy Conference 

The new portable MicronView BioAerosol Monitoring System (BAMS) for 

RMM applications available from Cherwell in the UK & Ireland. 

Cherwell, specialists in cleanroom microbiology solutions for the 

pharmaceutical, healthcare and related industries, is to highlight 

how its expanding environmental monitoring (EM) product portfolio 

can fully support the safe production of ATMPs in line with new EU 

GMP Annex 1 regulations. At the Cell & Gene Therapy Conference in 

London, 19-20th June, EM experts on Cherwell’s stand will advise on 

the best EM solutions to enable holistic, facility wide contamination 

control strategies (CCS) to manage risk in the manufacture of sterile 

medicinal products. Solutions include a new portable Rapid Microbiological 

Monitoring (RMM) system recently added to their range. 

The Cell & Gene Therapy (CGT) conference will explore the latest 

industry approaches in the development of cancer and rare disease 

treatments, such as personalised cancer vaccines, stem-cell 

treatments for heart failure and haemophilia gene therapies. Presentations 

with real-world examples from key CGT companies will 

include discussion on advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP) 

production, such as the GMP requirements for lentiviral vector manufacturing. 

Revised in 2022 with an implementation deadline of 25th August 

2023, Annex 1 is central to GMP guidelines governing the manufacture 

of sterile medicinal products, including CGT, within the 

UK and Europe. To meet Annex 1 requirements, manufacturers must 

have a clear rationale for assessing risk and preventing contamination 

of finished products by micro-organism, particulate or pyrogen. 

EM is key to this; notably a continuous monitoring approach in Grade 

A environments is now required. 

Delegates to the conference will have the opportunity to see 

some of the latest microbiological EM solutions in Cherwell’s portfolio 

designed to cover all graded spaces (A – D). This will include the 

first truly portable RMM system. The newly introduced MicronView 

BioAerosol Monitoring System (BAMS) is a Biofluorescent Particle 

Counter (BFPC) that enables the rapid real-time, continuous monitoring 

of airborne microbes to support the new Annex 1 requirements, 

as well as early detection applications. 

The BAMS early detection system reduces risk to patients as it 

enables focused investigation into potential contamination during 

real-time campaigns. It can lead to separation of a specific section 

of the manufactured batch and aid in the quick assessment of available 

data. This reduces the cost and waste of product if a real-time 

decision can be made, especially for a short shelf-life product that 

requires rapid release. 

As a complementary tool to traditional culture-based methods, 

BAMS is an ISO certified particle detector and easily used in many 

critical locations to offer continuous monitoring, real-time feedback, 

and trending in aseptic environments, which are all detailed in the 

2022 Annex 1 revision. Using laser induced fluorescence, the new 

particle detector can detect Active Fluorescent Units (AFU) and 

count viable microbes without need for culturing, staining or reagents. 

With the introduction of the BAMS RMM system, Cherwell 

now offers a complete environmental monitoring (EM) portfolio to 

meet all cleanroom microbiology needs. 

“A stringent EM program during manufacture is critical to the 

safety and success of biological products such as cell & gene therapies 

for the targeting of undruggable diseases,” said Hamish Hogg, 

Microbiology Product Specialist, Cherwell. “For best practice EM, a 

combination of passive sampling and active air samplers, together 

with accessories to ensure precise data collection is required. The 

introduction of BAMS together with the rest of our range, means 

that we can consult with and offer our customers the solution that 

best fits their requirements.” 

Alongside BAMS, also to be highlighted on Cherwell’s stand will 

be its EM portfolio of cleanroom microbiology solutions supporting 

both passive and active viable particle detection applications, plus 

microbial identification. This includes the Redipor® prepared media 

range, comprising agar plates, bottled media, broth bags and ampoules, 

vials and DIN bottles, and SAS microbial air samplers. 

Cherwell Laboratories Ltd 

OX26 4XB BICESTER 

United Kingdom 


page 5/43

The World’s Smallest Impedance 

Spectroscopy System in the Form of a Pill 

Finds Weak Spots in Machines and People 

Imagine a scenario where you simply just throw in a pill to identify an error—this is now one step closer to reality thanks to 

the work done by researchers at Fraunhofer IZM in cooperation with Micro Systems Technologies (MST) and Sensry GmbH. 

As small as a piece of candy, the waterproof IoT sensor can reliably measure the properties of liquids even in hard-to-reach 

places. This can make the maintenance of industrial machines much easier and even help to identify diseases. 

The core of the spectroscopy 

capsule contains 

the system-in-package, a 

flexible circuit board, and 

a ceramic pcb. 

© Fraunhofer IZM 

The larger an industrial machine, the more difficult 

it is to troubleshoot malfunctions by detecting unwanted 

oil pressure deviations or even line leaks 

from the outside. It often takes a long time for specialist 

staff to find what seems to be the equivalent 

of a needle in a haystack. This can lead to production 

losses and high costs. The situation is similar 

with the identification of disease causes in humans. 

If a patient complains about abdominal pain, there 

is usually no way around a complex gastroscopy or 

colonoscopy. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy 

can be very helpful in such cases. 

In this process, radio waves are sent through a 

medium from one electrode to a second electrode 

in order to derive the frequency spectrum (i.e., the 

specific fingerprint) of the medium. If any changes 

in the properties of a material or a liquid are identified, 

this can indicate the fast-progressing corrosion 

of a component or the presence of a specific clinical 

picture. Previously, impedance analyzers were not 

small and portable enough to be used for this purpose. 

With these applications in mind, researchers at 

the Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration 

IZM in Berlin, with support from MST and 

Sensry, worked to develop a compact and modular IoT 

sensor that can measure impedances and transmit them 

wirelessly. As a result, the sensor is not only waterproof 

but also biomedically compatible. 

The sensor consists of a biocompatible polymer, and 

despite its small surface area of just 11 × 16 square millimeters, 

it accommodates the two necessary electrodes, 

as well as numerous components for the analysis of environmental 

properties, including six sensors for measuring 

a wide variety of data parameters. In addition to 

environmental temperature, pressure, humidity, and 

sound, this small but extremely versatile device can also 

keep track of its own acceleration behavior, as well as rotation 

and ambient noise. Light and color properties can 

be detected via an integrated light sensor. 

In a more concrete scenario, if a machine malfunction 

occurs, the sensor can be inserted into an oil line, 

for example, so that it flows through the entire system. 

Precise data on the properties of the environment is 

transmitted wirelessly in real time to a custom-made 

software with a web interface for PCs and smartphones. 

If the sensor reaches a point where the pressure or the liquid 

spectrum deviates from the requirements, this is an 

indication that the cause of the problem has been suc- 

© Micro Systems Technologies (MST) 


page 6/43

cessfully localized. To make it easier for users to 

analyze the collected data, the frequency spectra 

of certain liquids, such as oil and water, are 

already included in the software. 

The main challenge encountered during 

the manufacturing of the sensor was the miniaturization 

of the components. In particular, 

reducing the diameter of the coil for wireless 

charging to 10 millimeters proved to be a significant 

obstacle. However, a sophisticated system 

design made it possible to overcome this chal- 

lenge. At the beginning of the project, Sensry 

GmbH provided their circuit diagrams and the 

firmware Kalisto as the basis for developing the 

sensor. 

In order to ensure that a total of over 70 passive 

and active components could be fitted on 

a flexible and biocompatible printed circuit board, the circuit board 

was designed using a liquid crystal polymer and manufactured in 

four layers by DYCONEX, an MST company. Despite its multilayered 

design, the circuit board’s thickness is a mere 175 micrometers, 

which makes it about as thick as a human hair. A system-in-package 

was fabricated on a six-layer interposer and constitutes the core of 

the sensor, as this is where the IoT system is integrated. Thanks to 

a built-in induction coil, the device can be charged wirelessly using 

Qi technology without ever opening the capsule. However, classic 

Features and functions of the pill 

© Micro Systems Technologies (MST) 

DC charging is also possible via a docking station 

that is used for calibrating and programming 

the sensor. In order to prevent overheating of 

the components during operation, the sensor is 

filled with an epoxy resin that insulates the components 

from each other and dissipates heat to 

the outside. At the bottom, the sensor features 

a 0.5 millimeter thin four-layer ceramic board 

manufactured by Micro Systems Engineering 

GmbH, an MST company, which accommodates 

the electrodes for impedance spectroscopy 

as well as the pressure sensor. As a trade fair 

demonstration unit, the IoT sensor showcases 

how intelligent system design and semiconductor 

packaging can be used to greatly miniaturize 

electronics without sacrificing any functionality. 

Research into electrochemical impedance 

spectroscopy is well underway, and the possibilities for medical 

technology are far from exhausted. 

The project has been running since April 1, 2021. 

Fraunhofer-Institut für Zuverlässigkeit und 

Mikrointegration IZM 

D 13355 Berlin 

Pfeiffer Vacuum plans to invest 

€75 million in its Annecy location in France 

In mid-May, Pfeiffer Vacuum Technology AG, one of the world‘s leading 

suppliers of vacuum technology, announced a seven-year, €75 

million investment plan for its Annecy site at the „Choose France“ 

summit for foreign investors. 

Pfeiffer Vacuum location in Annecy 

CEO Dr. Britta Giesen had the honor of attending the „Choose 

France 2023“ summit in Versailles on May 15 at the invitation of 

French President Emmanuel Macron. The international investor 

meeting brings together hundreds of executives from major international 

companies every year. The goal of this summit is to stimulate 

international investment in France. „Our investment plan will 

serve to modernize and digitalize our production in order to continue 

our growth. We want to double the operations of our French 

subsidiary with a sales target of €600 million by 2030 and create 

100 to 150 additional jobs,“ emphasized Dr. Britta Giesen, CEO of 

Pfeiffer Vacuum. 

During the same period, the Group intends to accelerate its 

course to reduce its CO2 emissions in Scope 1 and 2 to net zero 

by 2030. „Reducing our CO2 emissions should also motivate employees, 

suppliers and customers to develop innovative solutions for 

environmentally friendly technologies,“ adds Dr. Giesen. 

Pfeiffer Vacuum‘s location in Annecy has the advantage that 

most of its employees live nearby. „This allows us to reduce commuting 

and encourage the use of public transportation. Today, 20 % of 

our employees already come to work on foot or by bicycle. It‘s excellent 

that even some no longer own a car,“ says Guillaume Kreziak, 

the managing director of Pfeiffer Vacuum SAS, the group‘s French 

subsidiary. 

Pfeiffer Vacuum GmbH D 35614 Asslar 


page 7/43

RAPIDO butterfly valves from RICO Sicherheitstechnik AG are used at Franz Ziel 

No compromises in terms of tightness 

For more than 40 years, the German Franz 

Ziel GmbH has been offering its customers 

in the pharmaceutical sector tailor-made 

solutions and, in the course of this, has developed 

into a leading provider in the field 

of GMP compliance services. One product 

area of the company with 230 employees 

specializes in services relating to cleanroom 

technology for safe production environments. 

In this field, Franz Ziel develops and 

manufactures systems that are subsequently 

implemented at customers located in the 

pharmaceutical industry worldwide. Starting 

with the individual planning through 

the design to the final commissioning and 

acceptance as well as the subsequent support 

the company offers comprehensive 

services from a single source. This includes 

cleanroom systems such as isolators, which 

offer the highest possible level of safety. 

Markus Hörsch, Division Manager for Sales 

and Marketing at Franz Ziel, explains: „With 

our solutions, we pay particular attention 

to ensuring that the employees, the products 

and the production environment are 

protected in the best possible way in the 

processes. Our principle „PROTECTING 

LIFE WITH TECHNOLOGY“ hits the nail 

on the head and describes the basis of our 

entrepreneurial activities. To ensure that 

we always comply with this and achieve optimum 

results, the quality of the individual 

components installed in our systems plays 

a decisive role.” Against this background, 

all components are intensively tested before 

they are used here. For almost 20 years, 

Franz Ziel GmbH has relied on the Swiss 

company RICO Sicherheitstechnik AG as 

a supplier in terms of safety. RICO provides 

the gas-tight butterfly valves for the systems 

manufactured here and always meets the 

high-quality requirements due to continuous 

further developments. 

Gas-tightness creates safety 

during bio-decontamination 

In cleanroom technology, and especially in 

isolator technology, the sealing off of certain 

areas is indispensable. In some cases, 

hazardous substances must not be allowed 

to leave the work area, and in other cases, 

germs and bacteria must not be allowed to 

enter from the outside so that the product is 

not contaminated. The company‘s portfolio 

therefore includes Restricted Access Barrier 

Systems (RABS) and isolators in various 

designs. These containment solutions for 

aseptic processes are chosen for instance in 

filling and loading/unloading freeze dryers 

or other critical processes. The isolators are 

used for aseptic filling of pharmaceuticals, 

which, in contrast to filling in clean rooms, 

prevent direct manipulation by humans and 

thus serve to protect the product as well as 

people. The isolator housing with its integrated 

glove ports creates a barrier between 

the operator and the product. The ventilation 

system installed inside the equipment 

with its controlled pressure regulation 

further increases the safety for product 

or operator. The plants are equipped 

with supply and exhaust air systems, using 

HEPA filters to purify the air flow. „Before 

the process starts, bio-decontamination 

with evaporated H2O2 is carried out. In 

the course of this, it is essential that the 

gas does not get into the ambient air and 

that absolute gas tightness is guaranteed,“ 

says Markus Hörsch. Gas-tight butterfly 

valves from RICO Sicherheitstechnik AG 

are therefore integrated into the technical 

area of the systems on both, the supply air 

and exhaust air sides. The RAPIDO butterfly 

valves are able to control the flow of air 

in the ventilation duct and to close the duct 

100% gas-tight. Actuators are used to regulate 

the valves. „The RAPIDO system ensures 

continuous air exchange during normal 

operation of our systems thanks to the variable 

valve position. At the same time, the 

pressures inside the isolator are regulated,“ 

explains Markus Hörsch, adding that the 

flap position monitoring and safety function 

in the event of a fault were also decisive 

for the purchase. Because an important 

criterion was that the tightness of the butterfly 

valves can be checked in the installed 

state - this can be done quickly and easily 

by means of a hand pump and pressure 

gauge via the so-called PERFEKT system 

of the RICO butterfly valves. 

Partnership will continue in the future 

With regard to the handling of RICO products, 

Markus Hörsch is also very satisfied 

and explains that the valves have a very good 

quality of workmanship and a slim, yet robust 

design. Another advantage is that they 

can be installed by the Franz Ziel employees 

on their own. Regular checking of the valve 

function is a matter of course as part of the 

processes. As the systems must be subjected 

to a pressure test before each decontamination 

cycle, it would be noticed immediately 

if something was leaking and thus the process 

could not start. „ We are very satisfied 

with the partnership with RICO. We focus 

on the quality of our technologies and systems. 

RICO follows the same values, which 

is fully reflected in the products supplied.“ 

says Markus Hörsch, assessing the cooperation 

and adds that Franz Ziel will continue 

to rely on the high-quality valves from the 

Swiss experts in the future. 

RICO Sicherheitstechnik AG 

CH 9100 Herisau 


page 8/43

Cell design of perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells and 

associated manufacturing processes are the subject of intensive 

research. © Fraunhofer ISE 

Microscope image of a perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell on 

textured silicon. The perovskite absorber was fabricated by evaporation 

of the inorganic components followed by wet chemical infiltration 

of the organic components. © Fraunhofer ISE 

Technology Platform for the Scale-Up 

of Perovskite-Silicon Tandem 

Photovoltaics Gets the Go-Ahead 

Perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells promise efficiencies of over 30 percent. Regularly new world record values are announced 

by research laboratories worldwide. These world records, however, are realized on areas that are about 400 times 

smaller than the current wafer size of a typical industrial silicon solar cell. Solar researchers are currently investigating 

several promising routes for the scalable and economical production of these tandem solar cells. In the recently launched 

research projects „Pero-Si-SCALE“ and „LiverPool“ funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate 

Action, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE is building an independent technology platform for 

scaling up perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells and modules. The goal is the further development and analysis of cell and 

module designs as well as manufacturing processes which make a rapid transfer to industry possible. 

„A research platform for perovskite-silicon tandem photovoltaics at 

this technology maturity level is so far unique worldwide and thus an 

exclusive selling point for German PV research and development,“ 

says Prof. Dr. Stefan Glunz, Division Director for Photovoltaics Research 

at Fraunhofer ISE. „This platform allows us to effectively support 

the German and European photovoltaic industry, in collaboration 

with other German research institutions, in the development 

and implementation of the next generation of solar cells.“ 

With the Pero-Si-SCALE platform, the processes, technologies, 

and competence needed for the manufacture, characterization 

and testing of perovskite-silicon solar cells and modules on the 

industrial wafer format M12 are to be established and developed. 

„For this purpose, we are building up a process line, which will be 

completed by the end of 2024,“ says Dr. Martin Hermle, project manager 

responsible for the development of the technology platform 

at Fraunhofer ISE. „At the cell level, the line includes equipment for 

the vacuum deposition and wet chemical coating of the perovskite 

subcell. At the module level, a next-generation industrial adhesive 

stringer will be available for the development of manufacturing 

processes and a luminescence system for the quality control of the 

interconnection process. In addition, the project will allow us to 

extend the processes for characterization, calibration and quality 

analysis of solar cells and modules at Fraunhofer ISE to accommodate 

large wafers.“ 

For laboratory cells with an area of one square centimeter, wet chemical 

spin coating is the most commonly used process. This method 

is practical for the fabrication of small laboratory formats and allows 

rapid testing of new cell designs. However, spin coating is not scalable 

to industrial substrate sizes. Therefore, the Pero-Si-SCALE platform 

will be focusing on vacuum evaporation methods for applying 

the perovskite subcell to the silicon subcell as well as for applying 

the contacts. The objective of the Liverpool project is to develop industrially 

viable vacuum evaporation processes for the deposition of 

perovskite materials and contact layers. 

Scaling up the perovskite-silicon tandem technology is a main 

topic of the 3rd tandemPV workshop, which will be held in Chambéry, 

France on 6-8 June 2023. Two Fraunhofer ISE researchers, 

Dr. Patricia Schulze and Oussama Er-Raji, will give oral presentations 

in the session entitled „Process and Upscaling“. Oussama 

Er-Raji will present insights on a hybrid process for the realization 

of high efficiency perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. An 

invited speaker, Dr. Patricia Schulze will give an overview of the 

current research on perovskite-silicon tandem photovoltaics at 

Fraunhofer ISE. 

Fraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme ISE 

D 79110 Freiburg 


page 9/43

At the moment the new Smith+Nephew plant is operating two manufacturing cells, each containing three drag finishers. To further improve process 

stability the fully automatic Z1000 centrifuges are equipped with the digital process water management system “Advanced” from Rösler Smart 

Solutions. (Photo: Rösler Oberflächentechnik GmbH) 

New Smith+Nephew plant employs Rösler equipment 

Targeted surface finishing of femur 

components with high process stability 

and increased productivity 

To function properly and last for a long time in the human body, orthopedic implants require precisely defined finishes 

on different surface areas. For the targeted surface finishing of femur components in its new high-tech plant in Malaysia 

Smith+Nephew is utilizing two manufacturing cells, each containing three R 6/1000 SF drag finishers from Rösler. Two fully 

automatic Z1000 centrifuges, equipped with the digital process water management system “Advanced” from Rösler Smart 

Solutions, ensure that the process water is reliably and efficiently cleaned and recycled. Another indispensable contribution 

towards the stability of the finishing operation is the continuous monitoring and classification of the grinding and 

pre-polishing media. 

The mission of Smith+Nephew, a globally leading medical technology 

company, is to replace defective body parts and, thus, improve the 

quality of life for the patients and extend their life expectancy. The 

company employs around 18,000 people in more than 100 countries. 

With the development and application of innovative technologies 

they work diligently to improve the products of the company’s three 

global business divisions “orthopedic reconstruction,” “modern 

wound care management” and “sports medicine.” This commitment 

to excellent medical solutions is reflected in Smith+Nephew’s new 

high-tech plant in Penang, Malaysia. The new plant, as part of the 

“orthopedic reconstruction” division, produces primarily endoprosthetic 

knee and hip implants. 

Optimal surface finishes – a key quality criterion 

Jürgen Preiser, senior manufacturing engineer at Smith+Nephew explains: 

„For each of our implants we have specifications that precisely 

define the required quality of their surface finish. In the new Penang 

plant he is coordinating the establishment of the surface finishing 

manufacturing cells for the knee implants made from cobalt chrome 

alloys. For example, the inner surface areas of femur components 

must have a precisely defined surface roughness to promote optimal 

integration into the bone. On the other hand, the outer surface areas 

must have a very smooth, polished surface finish to prevent friction 

causing premature wear. Therefore, some targeted outer surface 

areas of the femur components must undergo an extremely demanding 

finishing operation with absolutely consistent results. 

Drag finishing – the solution for targeted surface grinding 

and polishing with no part-on-part contact 

For this demanding task the customer chose the Rösler R 6/1000 

SF drag finishers. These are special mass finishing systems that 

were developed for the precise and targeted surface finishing of 

high-value and delicate work pieces with complex shapes. Extremely 

important is that the femur components do not touch each 

other during the surface grinding and polishing operation. All 

process parameters, precisely adapted to the stringent finishing 

requirements, are stored in the PLC control panel. This guarantees 

absolutely repeatable and consistent results. Jürgen Preiser 

explains the decision for Rösler as follows: „Since our plant in 

Memphis, USA, is using identical finishing processes and machines 

for the same application, we have plenty of experience and 

know-how. This facilitates and expedites the approval for the 

respective equipment and finishing processes significantly. Another 

point in favor of Rösler was the company’s global presence 

with, for example, a distributor in Singapore. Moreover, Rösler 

develops and produces all its products in-house. This allows the 


page 10/43

optimal adaptation of equipment and consumables and guarantees 

a stable source of supply. 

Two manufacturing cells – each containing three drag finishers 

To date the plant on the Malayan peninsula is equipped with two 

manufacturing cells. Each cell contains three drag finishers for the 

process stages pre-grinding with ceramic media, pre-polishing with 

plastic media and dry polishing with a specially prepared organic polishing 

medium. To prevent any disruptions of the surface finishing 

operation, all drag finishers can be used for running the dry polishing 

process. Furthermore, four of the six drag finishers are suitable for the 

pre-grinding and pre-polishing as well as the dry polishing operation. 

Optimized work piece clamping system 

results in 50 % higher work piece throughput 

The drag finishers R 6/1000 SF consist of a processing bowl with a 

diameter of 1,000 mm and a carousel with six rotary spindles. Because 

the work pieces are not touching each other during the grinding and 

polishing operation, RÖSLER drag finishers are ideal for the precise processing 

of delicate and complex high-value work pieces such as femur 

components. (Photo: Rösler Oberflächentechnik GmbH) 

Each implant is subject to precise surface finishing specifications. 

For example, the exterior surface of the femur components requires 

a homogeneous, very smooth and polished finish. This demands the 

treatment of specially defined surface areas on the work pieces. 

(Photo: Rösler Oberflächentechnik GmbH) 

The drag finishers consist of a processing bowl with a diameter of 

1,000 mm and a carousel with six rotary spindles. These are equipped 

with specially designed work piece fixtures, to which the femur 

components are mounted. The design of the fixtures allows clamping 

of the work pieces in a position that allows the finishing of precisely 

defined surface areas. A redesign of the fixtures now allows to 

increase the number of femur components clamped to one fixture 

from two to three without jeopardizing the all-around treatment and 

finishing quality. Jürgen Preiser comments on this design change enthusiastically: 

„We are now able to process 18 femur components in 

one single batch compared to only 12 we processed in the past. This 

increases our throughput by around 50 %, a truly remarkable boost 

of our productivity”. 

During the start phase of the grinding and polishing process the 

rotating carousel is lowered. This causes the work pieces attached to 

the rotating spindles to be immersed into the media contained in the 

stationary processing bowl. The built-in immersion depth control 

system ensures that the specified immersion depth for the various 

work piece types is precisely maintained. Separate, independently 

controlled carousel and spindle drives allow the optimal adaptation 

of the processing intensity to the various femur types. The Rösler 

drag finishers, including the drives for the carousel and spindles, are 

very sturdy by nature. Therefore, no design change was necessary to 

cope with the higher operating load caused by clamping three work 

pieces to a spindle instead of two. Achieving all processing parameters, 

including the immersion depth of the work pieces, was no 

problem whatsoever. 

Monitoring of the media level and 

media classification guarantee good finishing results 

The drag finishers were commissioned at the Rösler plant in 

Untermerzbach, Germany. The commissioning was handled by 

Jürgen Preiser, Senior Manufacturing Engineer at Smith+Nephew and 

Johannes Schorr and Sebastian Schuberth from the Rösler team 

(left to right). (Photo: Rösler Oberflächentechnik GmbH) 

When it comes to consistently achieving high finishing qualities, 

maintaining the optimal media fill level in the processing bowl and 

the optimal media operating mix is extremely important. The media 

level is monitored visually as well as with special sensors. A message is 

displayed in the control panel, whenever an action by the operator is 

needed. “In addition, to maintain a consistently high finishing quality, 

we installed a media classification system, consisting primarily of a 

vibratory screening unit. Once per week we pass the ceramic and plastic 

media through the screening unit, where all undersized media are 

discharged from the operating mix“, comments Jürgen Preiser. 

Digital process water management system improves overall 

process stability 

For cleaning and recycling of the process water from the “wet” pre- 


page 11/43

grinding and pre-polishing operations in the two manufacturing 

cells Smith+Nephew purchased two fully automatic Z1000 centrifuges. 

Jürgen Preiser explains: „The dual centrifuge concept allows us 

to operate two separate process water cycles, one for the finishing 

operations with ceramic and one for the operations with plastic media. 

Maintaining two separate water cycles helps us prevent all kinds 

of problems, for example, foaming issues.” The control panel of each 

centrifuge is equipped with the digital process water management 

system from Rösler Smart Solutions. This innovative, interactive 

software allows the monitoring, data collection and evaluation of up 

to 14, individually selectable, process parameters. These include the 

compound concentration, pH value and microbiological contamination. 

The parameter target values and their respective tolerance 

range are stored in the software, and the actual values are entered 

for comparison purposes. Whenever one or several parameters are 

drifting out of the pre-defined range, the system displays an error 

message and issues easy-to-understand recommendations allowing 

a quick return to the specified tolerance range. This ensures a consistent 

high quality of the process water. Jürgen Preiser comments: 

„With the digital management system we not only control the process 

water cleaning and recycling operation a lot better. In addition, 

it helps us with the training of those employees who know very little 

or nothing about how to handle the process water.” Moreover, the 

recording of the parameters over a longer time period helps identify 

long-term trends in the process water so that necessary process 

water changes can be precisely scheduled with minimal disruption 

of the manufacturing operations. The digital process water management 

system also significantly reduces the consumption of compound 

and fresh water. And finally, the careful recording of all relevant 

water parameters represents an excellent tool for documenting 

the process quality and stability for quality audits and documentation 

purposes. 

Jürgen Preiser summarizes: „The first two manufacturing cells 

are currently undergoing the mandatory validation phase. The start 

of full-scale production is foreseen in spring 2023. At the moment 

we are planning two additional manufacturing cells for the same 

products and finishing processes.” 

Rösler Oberflächentechnik GmbH 

D 96190 Untermerzbach 

Hohenstein celebrates 30 years of accreditation as a testing laboratory 

on World Accreditation Day 

Three decades of proven 

quality assurance 

Julia Seeberg, Head 

of Quality Management 

at Hohenstein 

©Hohenstein 

On June 9, Hohenstein celebrates World Accreditation 

Day (WAD2023) along with 30 

years as an accredited testing laboratory. In 

1993, Hohenstein’s first lab received official 

certification to test textile products competently, 

reliably and impartially according to 

internationally recognized standards. With 

the expansion of its testing business, the 

company, headquartered in Boennigheim, 

Germany, has since gained numerous other 

accreditations for its global laboratories. 

„The accreditations give our customers 

confidence that we comply with the required 

quality control procedures,“ says Julia Seeberg, 

who as Head of Quality Management 

also oversees the regular monitoring of the laboratories by DAkkS, 

the Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle. “Everything possible is done 

to ensure the integrity of the test results.” In addition to DAkks accreditations 

of the testing laboratories for textile technological, biological, 

chemical and physical tests, Hohenstein is accredited as a 

certification and inspection body. Hohenstein‘s 75 years of expertise 

in the testing business complement its accreditation and provide an 

important basis for its long-standing customer trust. 

Hohenstein laboratories in China, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and 

India have accreditations from the respective national and international 

accreditation bodies. The labs celebrate World Accreditation 

Day by highlighting the importance of accredited laboratories for the 

product quality and sustainability. „The demands of suppliers and 

consumers have increased,“ Julia Seeberg also notes. “For manufacturers 

to remain credible, it is even more imperative to demonstrate 

compliance with defined and standardized quality criteria.” 

The globally valid quality standard for testing and calibration laboratories 

is DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025. The standard specifies general 

requirements for the competence, impartiality and uniform working 

methods of laboratories that operate internationally. Accreditations 

in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17020 and 17065 exist for the 

inspection and certification bodies. In addition, Hohenstein is an 

accredited testing laboratory for medical devices, where biological, 

chemical and physical laboratory tests are carried out. These tests 

form the basis for conformity with the European Medical Device Regulation 

(MDR). 

Hohenstein labs in Germany, Bangladesh, India, Hong Kong and 

Shanghai are globally accredited to the ISO/IEC standards. ©Hohenstein 

Hohenstein Laboratories GmbH & Co. KG 

D 74357 Hohenstein 


page 12/43

The Pharma-Comb IL specialty label enables reliable and permanent 

marking of unit-dose vials even at low temperatures. By means of the 

inspection window the liquid can be checked before being administered. 

The removable documentation labels can be peeled 

off conveniently using tabs—for reliable documentation 

of the clinical trial. 

Specialty Label with Removable Parts: Reliable at any Temperature 

Schreiner MediPharm’s Pharma-Comb 

IL Label Supports Innovative Clinical Cancer 

Trial with Oncolytic Viruses 

Various clinical trials are currently focused on investigating the systematic use of oncolytic viruses in cancer therapies. 

Shanghai Yuan Song Biotechnology is one of the companies engaged in this research. For its trial relating to innovative 

virotherapy, Schreiner MediPharm supplies the appropriate specialty label with various integrated functions that easily 

withstands low temperatures of -20 till -70 degrees Celsius. 

Cancer is one of the most frequent causes of death worldwide. In 

many industrial nations, cancer has even begun to outnumber cardiovascular 

diseases. Annual investments in cancer research have 

been increasing accordingly. Virotherapy is a novel approach. It is an 

immunotherapy in which patients receive injections with oncolytic 

viruses. These viruses infect tumor cells and can thus selectively destroy 

malignant cells. The Chinese company Yuan Song Biotechnology 

is engaged in virotherapy research. However, the active pharmaceutical 

ingredient (API) for the cancer treatment that is filled in 

vials is especially sensitive, which poses a challenge also to the label. 

But the pharmaceutical company has found an ideal solution: the 

Pharma-Comb IL Label from Schreiner MediPharm. 

The sensitive API for cancer therapy from Yuan Song Biotechnology 

must be stored and transported at low temperatures. The liquid 

medication is subsequently thawed before being administered. 

These temperature differences make high demands on the reliable 

adhesion of the marking and documentation label that is attached to 

the unit dose vials containing the API. In addition, healthcare staff 

prior to administering the drug must check if the medication is flawless 

and the liquid is clear. A transparent inspection window must be 

integrated into the label for that purpose. At the same time, the label 

must provide adequate space for important information and contain 

two removable parts for documenting the administration of the medication 

in the patient and hospital files for the clinical trial. 

Schreiner MediPharm’s customized Pharma-Comb IL Label 

convinced Yuan Song–especially in terms of the multifunctional 

combination of additional features and the temperature stability of 

the material and adhesive. It enables reliable and clear product marking 

from storage to transportation to dispensing. The two removable 

documentation labels have tabs enabling easy and efficient peeloff 

and attachment to the patient files. Thanks to the transparent 

inspection window, the vial liquid can be reliably checked prior to 

being administered. Thus, the Pharma-Comb IL Label from Schreiner 

MediPharm helps optimize clinical trial processes and supports 

patient safety. 

Schreiner MediPharm 

D 85764 Oberschleissheim 


page 13/43

The researchers are also working on using defective or used 

ceramics-based components as feed stock for producing 

high-quality SiC in future. © Fraunhofer IKTS 

RECOSiC© uses waste and by-products from the Acheson 

process and turns them into high-purity silicon carbide in an 

enclosed high-tech furnace. The product of the process is 

powdered SiC. © Fraunhofer IKTS 

Ceramics recycling 

Energy-efficient and low in emissions 

— silicon carbide recycling with RECOSiC© 

Silicon carbide is a popular industrial material for many applications. The extremely hard, heat-resistant material is used 

for refractory components and semiconductors, for instance. But its production is energy-intensive and emits a lot of carbon 

dioxide, as well as producing large amounts of by-products and waste products. Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute 

for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS have developed RECOSiC©, an especially environmentally friendly recycling 

process that turns these by-products and waste products back into high-quality silicon carbide. This new process improves 

yields and also reduces the dependency on suppliers of raw materials. 

Due to its tremendous hardness — nearly as 

hard as diamond — and heat resistance, the 

industrial material silicon carbide (chemical 

formula: SiC) is a sought-after commodity in 

the industry sector. SiC has applications in 

the chemical industry, as technical ceramics 

and for refractories, and is also used in semiconductors. 

It is produced using the Acheson 

process, in which quartz sand and petrol 

coke are heated in a cylindrical furnace to 

around 2,500 °C. The resulting carbothermic 

reduction produces silicon carbide as its 

end product. The process is not complicated 

but produces a great deal of CO2: around 2.4 

tons of the greenhouse gas are released for 1 

ton of SiC from the carbothermic reduction 

alone. This is in addition to the enormous 

power consumption of 7.15 MWh/t, which 

is required to run the furnace for days. This 

releases another 1.8 tons of CO2 for each ton 

of SiC. 

“The Acheson process is nearly 130 years 

old and is one of the classic, dirty industrial 

processes that are no longer in step with 

our times,” explains Jörg Adler, department 

head for non-oxide ceramics at Fraunhofer 

Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems 

IKTS in Dresden. His team and their 

industry partner ESK-SiC GmbH have now 

developed a method for recycling the resulting 

waste and by-products. RECOSiC© 

reduces industrial pollution and turns the 

recycled materials into high-quality silicon 


page 14/43

The graphic depicts the advantages of RECOSiC© compared to the Acheson process: 

Carbon dioxide emissions and power consumption are lowered significantly, while the 

yield of high-quality SiC is much higher. © Fraunhofer IKTS 

base material is initially analyzed, pretreated 

and stoichiometrically supplemented. In 

other words, the raw materials are mixed in 

the exact ratio needed to create the chemical 

compound with the required properties 

in the chemical process. When needed, the 

experts also add certain additives. Finally, 

the process parameters for the furnace are 

configured, including peak temperature, duration 

and control of temperature development 

over the entire process. This enables 

them to control the process and determine 

the properties of the final SiC product, such 

as particle size and purity grade, ahead of 

time. The team at Fraunhofer IKTS also benefits 

from its many years of experience and 

expertise in ceramic materials. 

“As a technology service provider, we 

— together with our industry partner ESK- 

SiC — can now supply SiC as a raw material 

with the specifications needed for the customer’s 

specific application,” says Adler. “At 

the same time, we can develop custom-tailored 

raw materials and processes together 

with partners from the ceramics industry 

that make new product features possible, 

even including recyclability.” 

This innovative method does not only 

process by-products from the Acheson process, 

however. It is likely that defective or 

used ceramics-based components, such as 

diesel particle filters and wall tiles from waste 

incinerators, can also be recycled with it. 

In general, any material with a SiC portion of 

50 percent or more is suitable for recycling 

into high-quality silicon carbide. 

carbide. ESK-SiC GmbH, based in Frechen, 

near Cologne, has many years of experience 

in the treatment and refinement of raw materials. 

High-tech furnace transforms waste 

and by-products into SiC 

At the edges of the giant open-air Acheson 

furnaces, a significant portion of the primary 

raw materials — quartz sand and petrol coke, 

cannot react fully to form silicon carbide because 

the temperature is not high enough. 

Due to the sheer size of the furnaces and the 

enormous heat generated, installation in the 

factory building is hardly possible. Contamination 

from the air is an additional factor 

for open-air furnaces. Previously, the incompletely 

formed SiC, along with the waste and 

by-products, could only be used for inferior 

applications or had to be disposed of. This 

is where the patented RECOSiC© process 

comes in. “We heat these by-products in a 

high-tech furnace with an inert atmosphere 

to temperatures up to 2,400 °C. This produces 

more high-quality SiC. The energy input 

under RECOSiC© is 80 percent lower than 

in the Acheson process, which also reduces 

CO2 emissions significantly,” explains Adler. 

In contrast to the Acheson process, the 

high-tech furnace produces very little waste 

and by-products. Impurities are separated 

or vaporized during the chemical reaction. 

Under high heat, metals such as iron form 

lumps, which can be removed mechanically. 

As a result, the yield is nearly 100 percent. 

Another major advantage: RECOSiC© 

produces high-quality SiC with a purity 

grade of 99 percent or even more. Matthias 

Hausmann, managing director of ESK-SiC 

GmbH, explains this with an illustrative 

example: “It’s as if you had a process that 

turned waste paper into new paper that’s 

just as good as — or perhaps even better 

than — the original paper.” 

Specifications and purity 

of SiC become controllable 

To achieve this high level of quality, the researchers 

at Fraunhofer IKTS do not stop at 

feeding the material into the furnace. The 

Reduced dependency on raw 

materials suppliers 

Matthias Hausmann says: “With RECO- 

SiC©, we are taking an industrial process 

that used to be very dirty and harmful to the 

environment and making it much cleaner, 

while conserving valuable resources at the 

same time. This is an important step towards 

a sustainable circular economy.” 

The improved utilization of primary 

raw materials also reduces dependency on 

foreign raw materials suppliers and increasingly 

fragile supply chains. Fraunhofer IKTS 

developed and tested RECOSiC© in a pilotscale 

plant. ESK-SiC GmbH began running 

an industrial-scale prototype facility in the 

second quarter of 2023. Further capacity expansions 

are in planning. As a result, attractive, 

high-tech jobs for sustainable technologies 

in Germany are being created in the 

energy-intensive raw materials sector. 

Fraunhofer-Institut für Keramische 

Technologien und Systeme IKTS 

D 01277 Dresden 


page 15/43

Vetter honored as an exceptionally managed company. 

Gold status for Vetter: Named Best 

Managed Company for the fourth time 

We have been recognized as Best Managed Company for the fourth 

time in a row – and now carrying gold status. The internationally renowned 

award is presented annually by Deloitte Private, Frankfurter 

Allgemeine Newspaper and the Federation of German Industries 

(BDI) to medium-sized and family-run companies in over 40 countries. 

„We are very proud to have been awarded this prestigious seal 

of quality for the fourth time,“ says our Managing Director Peter 

Soelkner. „As a leading service provider in the production of complex 

injectable drugs, we are an innovative and reliable partner for 

our large and small customers – especially in economically challenging 

times. We see this award as a further confirmation that we 

are on the right track.“ 

Earning this recognition requires a comprehensive and sustainable 

strategy. This is Vetter NExT 2029: six initiatives with 26 fields 

of action and four focus topics worked on by interdisciplinary teams 

with progress tracked regularly. Our entire value chain is strategically 

covered. Higher-level topics of modern business operations are also 

addressed, such as digital transformation, organizational development, 

and sustainability. 

Pioneer in sustainability 

The judges also set high standards for the sustainability assessment. 

As one of the leading companies in the highly regulated and energy-intensive 

biopharma industry, we have already been CO2-neutral 

worldwide since 2021. Last year, we published our first comprehensive 

sustainability report and achieved gold status in the internationally 

recognized EcoVadis ranking. At the beginning of this year, we 

joined the UN Global Compact and are thus driving the expansion of 

responsible supply chains in the industry and sustainable business 

processes. The sustainability activities are an integral part of the corporate 

strategy and cover the areas of economy, ecology, and social 

issues. 

Holistic innovation management for future technologies 

Vetter-Geschäftsführer Peter Sölkner gemeinsam mit Dr. Christine 

Wolter, Managing Partner Business Tax & International Tax 

Deloitte (rechts) und Moderatorin Susanne Schöne (links) bei 

der Übergabe des Best Managed Companies Award am 25. Mai 

in Düsseldorf. © Vetter Pharma International GmbH 

An integral part of the corporate strategy is the innovation management 

process, through which trends are recognized at an early stage 

and converted into innovations in a targeted manner. The focus lays 

on sustainable technologies, processes, products, and services. One 

example is the optimization of production-related processes using 

new intelligent technologies. 

„We continue to develop topic areas in line with customer demands, 

such as the interaction of man and machine in assistance 

systems or the use of cooperative and autonomous robots. These 

initiatives are compelling and at the same time essential in order to 

offer our customers innovative solutions, and consequently being 

able to partner at eye level,“ explains our Managing Director Thomas 

Otto. The goal is to continuously improve flexibility, productivity, 

quality, IT, and operational safety. 

Markus Seiz, Program Manager Best Managed Company and Director 

at Deloitte Private, explains the judge’s assessment as follows: 

„In all social crises, we look at the resilience and stability of the participating 

candidates. As a family-owned company, Vetter offers these 

success factors to a high degree, among others through its forwardlooking 

and holistic strategic planning. In addition, the pharmaceutical 

service provider is already a leader in key transformation topics 

such as sustainability. These fields of action ensure future viability, 

resulting in Vetter being ‚Best in Class‘ for us again this year.“ 

Vetter Pharma International GmbH 

D 88212 Ravensburg 


page 16/43

Schreiner Group Receives Innovation Awards 

FINAT Awards: 

Three Accolades for Two Products 

For Schreiner Group, it was a resounding success: In this year’s FINAT label competition, two products were recognized 

with three awards. That all the accolades were presented in the Innovation category is a particularly outstanding fact for the 

hidden champion. The European self-adhesive label industry association (FINAT) was especially impressed by the Film- 

Based Cover that received two awards–including the overall group award for Innovation & Electronic Printing. 

“I am delighted that we were recognized for two products with three 

awards,” said Dr. Jens Vor der Brüggen. As head of research and development, 

he personally accepted the accolades. “I am even more 

delighted about us having won the awards for innovations.” As a 

high-tech company, Schreiner Group has been driving the further 

development of labels intensively in recent decades—in a variety 

of markets. Schreiner ProTech specializes in the Mobility market, 

Schreiner MediPharm in Healthcare. “I’m particularly pleased that 

the three awards recognized a product for the automotive industry 

and one for the pharmaceutical industry,” said CEO Roland Schreiner. 

Schreiner Group’s winning products not least show how technical, 

forward-thinking, and innovative the most important products 

of the label industry are today. 

The Film-Based Cover from the Schreiner ProTech business 

unit was the winner in the overall group of Innovation & Electronic 

Printing and in the Innovation & Electronic Printing–Innovation 

category. The product enables cost-efficient and easy sealing of 

component housings. Especially in comparison to a conventional 

injection-molded cover it entails clearly lower costs, saves space in 

transportation and installation–and enables a weight reduction of 

up to 85 percent. Even so, the film-based solution is stress-resistant 

and provides a water-tight and dustproof closure. An integrated 

pressure compensation seal guarantees reliable venting of the 

component. 

The Smart Blister Card from the Schreiner MediPharm business 

unit was recognized in the Innovation & Electronic Printing–Electronic 

Devices category. The high-tech product extends a standard 

blister pack by digital adherence monitoring. Using integrated conductive 

lines combined with an electronic unit, data can be generated 

in real time as soon as a patient pushes a tablet out of a cavity–for 

instance, the time of removal, dose, or the specific cavity. The 

data can subsequently be read using a reader or smartphone app and 

transmitted to a database. 

Schreiner Group GmbH & Co. KG 

D 85764 Oberschleißheim 

On behalf of Schreiner Group, 

Dr. Jens Vor der Brüggen, Head of Research 

and Development, accepted the FINAT Awards. 

The Smart Blister Card with integrated 

electronics serves the purpose of digital 

adherence monitoring and received the 

accolade in the Innovation & Electronic 

Printing–Electronic Devices category. 

The Film-Based Cover for easy and costefficient 

sealing of component housings was 

recognized in the overall group of Innovation & 

Electronic Printing as well as in the Innovation 

& Electronic Printing–Innovation category. 


page 17/43

(Image source: Deutsche Messe AG) 


20th parts2clean (26 to 28 September 2023) 

parts2clean 2023: Choosing the right 

cleaning process for maximum product quality, 

cost efficiency and sustainability 

Today, component cleaning is a quality and cost-relevant production factor in every sector of industry, with a steadily growing 

significance. In addition to the various component cleanliness requirements, future company competitiveness will 

thus increasingly depend on fulfilling the high standards for resource and energy efficiency. As an information and procurement 

platform featuring the world’s most comprehensive range of products and services, parts2clean offers the right range 

of solutions for this. The supporting program of the 20th leading international trade fair for industrial parts and surface 

cleaning, taking place from 26 to 28 September 2023 at the Stuttgart Exhibition Center (Germany), will provide information 

on all the latest trends, innovations and benchmark applications. 

Modified and new components, new manufacturing and coating 

technologies, innovative materials and material combinations, the 

increasing digitization of manufacturing – these and other trends 

also require new and adapted cleaning processes in industrial parts 

and surface cleaning. In addition to particulate contamination, there 

is an increasing focus on filmic contamination – which must be removed 

in a stable and efficient way. At the same time, ever-stricter 

energy efficiency and climate protection targets need to be met. 

Solutions for every task and industry 

“The exhibitors at this year‘s parts2clean will present ideally adapted 

and futureoriented solutions to meet these stiffer requirements,” 

reports Christoph Nowak, Project Director at Deutsche 

Messe. “These include developments in the area of wet chemical 

processes and dry cleaning technologies, as well as for improved 

energy and resource efficiency, greater cost-effectiveness and flexibility, 

and the integration of component cleaning into connected 

manufacturing processes.” A novelty at the anniversary event is the 

addition of the “High Purity” theme to the parts2clean core areas, 

which addresses special solutions for the semiconductor supplier 

industry, medical technology, sensor technology, electronics and 

numerous applications related to electromobility. The leading international 

trade fair for industrial parts and surface cleaning will 

be held at the Germany-based Stuttgart Exhibition Center from 

26-28 September 2023. 

Supporting program focuses on competition-relevant themes 


The exhibitor presentations across industries, technologies and 

materials will be complemented by a supporting program which is 

ideally adapted to the current challenges in component cleaning. 

“With knowledge and expertise as well as approaches to solutions 

for process design, adaptation and optimization, the focus is on 


page 18/43

competition-relevant topics which are not covered anywhere else to 

this degree,” notes Nowak. 

Bilingual technical forum – value-added knowledge 

on basics and trends 

The bilingual technical forum at parts2clean has been one of the 

highlights of this leading international trade fair for many years. 

Renowned experts from research and science, as well as from associations 

and industry, will offer knowledge and expertise, as well 

as benchmark solutions, in simultaneously translated presentations 

(German English) on the following topics at this year’s event: “The 

basics of industrial cleaning processes” – this includes presentations 

on the mode of action of cleaning processes and media, drying processes, 

special features and the suitability of product carriers, and 

component design that is optimized for cleaning. The session “Monitoring 

and controlling cleaning processes” will focus on process 

automation, the use of AI (artificial intelligence) for cleaning and 

analysis processes, and integration into factory automation systems. 

In the presentation block “Cleaning for electrical engineering and 

electronics”, practical examples and special solutions will be presented, 

along with fundamental challenges and both the opportunities 

and limits involved in cleaning technology. The section “High purity 

applications – challenges and solutions” will address applications 

for, among other things, EUV lithography, semiconductor manufacturing, 

microtechnology, medical and pharmaceutical technology, 

while also highlighting actual innovations. For verification of the 

technical cleanliness achieved, the presentations in the “Monitoring 

and analyzing cleaned surfaces” section will provide detailed 

information and solutions. 

Technical cleanliness process chain 

How can the required component cleanliness not only be achieved 

in the process, but also be verified? Answers to this question are 

provided by the special show “Technical Cleanliness”, organized as 

a joint project with the CEC (Cleaning Excellence Center). Both the 

path to and the implementation of innovative technologies for component 

cleanliness as well as the accompanying quality assurance 

will be demonstrated here. 

FiT2clean Award and special show area 

The Fachverband industrielle Teilereinigung association (FiT) will 

once again be represented with a special showcase and an attractive 

program. One major highlight will consist of the presentation of 

the FiT2clean Award on 28 September. This award, endowed with 

10,000 euros, will be presented for the second time during this year’s 

parts2clean. The award is given annually for outstanding achievements 

and innovative solutions in industrial component cleaning. 

Information on the supporting program as well as the complete 

program of presentations at the technical forum be available on the 

parts2clean homepage tentatively by the beginning of August. 

Deutsche Messe AG 

D 30521 Hannover 

www.reinraum.de | www.cleanroom-online.com NEWSLETTER | Ausgabe DE 05-2023 Seite 19/103

© NürnbergMesse / Heiko Stahl 

POWTECH 2023: Visitors from all around the world 

look forward to a wide-ranging programme 

– Cutting-edge solutions for processing solids and liquids 

– European trade fair with international pulling power 

– Attractive programme during and ahead of the event 

– PARTEC scientific congress set to welcome over 400 delegates 

From 26 to 28 September 2023, numerous international experts in mechanical processing, bulk solids and conveying technology 

will once again gather at POWTECH. Around 600 exhibitors will showcase the latest solutions for processing solids 

and liquids. The extensive supporting programme with new offerings from forums and special shows offers visitors even 

more wide-ranging sources of inspiration. This year, the parallel PARTEC scientific congress with more than 400 participants 

will once again be a special highlight of the event. The planning for the exhibition, congress and many accompanying 

attractions is currently in full swing. New and established exhibitors alike can build on the sound advice provided by the 

inspired POWTECH team. 

In September 2023, POWTECH in Nuremberg will once again become 

the hotspot for process engineers and technicians from Europe 

and many other international markets. In the exhibition halls, more 

than 600 exhibitors will present their innovations for the handling, 

manufacture and processing of powders, bulk solids and liquids. 

Hands-on exhibits and experts with sound experience and the latest 

knowhow provide the perfect backdrop for developing detailed 

practical solutions, customised services and integrated processes in 

conjunction with and for visitors. 

European trade fair with international pulling power 

Heike Slotta, Executive Director Exhibitions, is confident: “Not 

only are we going to welcome numerous visitors from Europe, 

POWTECH also has enormous pulling power in the world’s key 

processing markets like the USA, China, Brazil and Japan. We expect 

an excellent calibre of visitors in decision-making roles, as 

well as industry experts, which goes hand in hand with a significant 

increase in visitor numbers.” Both the exhibitor and visitor 

numbers at POWTECH can be relied on, as they are verified by the 

FKM (Society for Voluntary Control of Fair and Exhibition Statistics) 

in a process that many trade fair organisers voluntarily take 

part in. Only registered visitors appearing on site per trade fair day 

are counted, irrespective of the halls visited or the numbers passing 

through the turnstiles. Exhibitor’s stand personnel are also not 

included. 

PARTEC – particle technology at the highest level of research 

This year too, the PARTEC congress, which takes place parallel to 

POWTECH at Exhibition Centre Nuremberg, will also boost visitor 

numbers. The international scientific congress for particle technology, 

sponsored by the VDI Association of Process and Chemical 

Engineering (GVC), ensures regular dialogue between researchers, 

graduates and development engineers – while giving POWTECH a 

special flair and an extra, exclusive audience. Because quite a few 

of the 400 or so congress participants and young professionals in 

attendance also make a point of visiting the stands of specific exhibiting 

companies. 

Special shows, pavilions and other events complete 

the package 

Another POWTECH drawcard is its attractive supporting 

programme, including the following features: 

– the VDMA Special Show on process engineering and air purity 

with solutions and technologies for dust removal, drying and 

processing and other bulk solids handling processes 


page 20/43

– the APV Pharma Pavilion focusing on fill and finish and 

lyophilisation (freeze drying) 

– the Startup@POWTECH Pavilion, where young companies 

from Germany showcase their inventions 

– the International Start-up Area for “newcomers” from all 

around the world 

– and the Campus Pavilion, where universities, colleges and other 

institutions present information about themselves, their research 

areas and services. 

Expert forum ‘Stage Talks’ – and ‘Virtual Talks’ ahead of fair 

This year too, exhibitors will also get the chance to present their solutions 

and services for particularly innovative topics to visitors in 

the form of 20-minute presentations followed by discussion rounds 

at the expert forum ‘Stage Talks’. This year, the platform will be devoted 

to the topics: New Food, Perfection in the Supply Chain, Sustainability 

and Safety, Process Optimisation and Industry 4.0, Fluids 

meet Solids, and Future Energies. In the run-up to the trade fair, the 

regular POWTECH Virtual Talks webinars will familiarise visitors 

with these topics (Attendance is free of charge. For times and dates, 

topics and registration, go to: https://www.powtech.de/de/besucher/ 

virtual-talks). 

Preparations in full swing for all participants 

Accordingly, there are plenty of good arguments in favour of a 

visit to POWTECH in the autumn, and for the last exhibitors to register. 

For the application areas of batteries and cosmetics, suitable 

solutions will also be on display at POWTECH, so these topics have 

been expressly included in the Industry Guide. The phones have not 

stopped ringing for the POWTECH team, which is in the middle of 

allocating space in the exhibition halls and constantly seeking the 

best option for each client. As Marianny Eisenhofer, Director POW- 

TECH, says: “At the moment we are getting a lot of inquiries from 

companies that want to exhibit at POWTECH for the first time. 

We are offering these companies especially in-depth advice, but of 

course our established exhibitors also have one or two questions in 

the light of the current challenges. We strive to satisfy everyone and 

find a helpful solution.” 

With its excellent value for money, POWTECH has long been regarded 

as a sustainable event. Increasingly, the issue of sustainability 

is also becoming more important for the operation of the trade fair. 

The focus is on the UN’s 17 sustainability goals. As well as energy-saving 

measures like waste separation and recycling, this is also reflected 

among other things in the promotion of reusable stand construction. 

Of course, this is where exhibitors also need to do their part. 

However, visitors can also make a major contribution to sustainability, 

e.g., by opting for a climate-friendly mode of travel using 

trains and subways. That is also a way of starting off a visit to POW- 

TECH in a relaxed frame of mind. 

NürnbergMesse GmbH 

D 90471 Nürnberg 

REINE RÄUME: 

VERSTEHEN, PLANEN UND ERREICHEN. 

Das Thema Energiemanagement kommt bei der Planung von neuen 

Reinräumen oft zu kurz. Dabei senkt ein ganzheitliches Energiekonzept 

die späteren Betriebskosten erheblich. Sprechen sie uns an. 

becker-reinraumtechnik.de 

www.reinraum.de | www.cleanroom-online.com NEWSLETTER | Ausgabe DE 05-2023 Seite 21/103

Blaue Silikon-Dichtfläche für den Einsatz in 

Pharma-Reinräumen und Lebensmittelbetrieben. 

Schwarze Viton-Dichtfläche für den Einsatz in den 

Branchen Optik, Halbleiter und Mikroelektronik 

Product innovation: Sailer Hygienic Design Magnet 

now also available for clean rooms in the optics, 

semiconductor and microelectronics sectors 

In the pharmaceutical and food industry, the Sailer Hygienic Design 

Magnet has already established itself as an innovative mounting solution 

for clean rooms and makes it much easier for countless users 

to attach any type of equipment to the wall. Walls no longer need to 

be drilled. The decision as to where something is installed is made 

considerably easier. Wall mounting can be implemented more quickly 

and can be reversed at any time. The FDA-compliant silicone 

cap of the Sailer Hygienic Design magnet protects the walls and ensures 

an intact room envelope. 

For companies in the optics, semiconductor and microelectronics 

sectors, however, it is precisely this silicone cap that has so far 

prevented use in clean rooms and in the production area, since silicone 

is a prohibited substance for many companies in these sectors. 

Outgassing from silicone can cause serious problems here. 

Nevertheless, it is precisely in these high-tech clean rooms that 

the use of the Sailer Hygienic Design magnet to prevent damage to 

the walls and the generation of particles is of particular interest and 

value for the user. An alternative material had to be found that meets 

the particularly high demands of these technical clean rooms and 

at the same time can be processed appropriately. After various attempts, 

the choice fell on Viton - a synthetic rubber known for its 

excellent resistance to high temperatures, chemicals, solvents and 

various aggressive media. Viton even has a longer service life, better 

abrasion resistance and higher pressure resistance compared to 

silicone. 

In order to offer absolute security for these high-tech industries, 

Friedrich Sailer GmbH had the Hygienic Design Magnets with Viton 

sealing surface tested by the Fraunhofer IPA for outgassing behavior. 

The test report for material emissions VOC and SVOC according to 

ISO 16000-9 and ISO 14644-15 is available from Fraunhofer IPA under 

report number SA 2023-235 and can be requested directly from 

Friedrich Sailer GmbH. 

Manufacturers of optics, semiconductors and microelectronics 

can now also benefit from the unique properties of the hygienic design 

magnet: small equipment can be assembled in the clean room 

at any time without leaving any traces. Changed assembly positions 

can be implemented quickly and easily. Dismantling for complete 

wall cleaning and -desinfection also easily possible. Thanks to the 

elimination of drill holes, repair work and coverings are no longer 

necessary. On commercially available panels and clean room walls 

made of powder-coated steel, a single magnet with a Viton sealing 

surface, just like the pharmaceutical version with a silicone sealing 

surface, has a load capacity of approx. 10 kg due to its powerful internal 

magnet system. 

The extensive range of accessories such as shelves, dispensers 

and holders for various applications made of stainless steel 1.4301 can 

be used in all industries. 

Friedrich Sailer GmbH 

Memminger Str. 55 

D 89231 Neu-Ulm 

Telefon: +49 731 985900 

eMail: info@friedrich-sailer.de 

Internet: http://www.friedrich-sailer.de/reinraum 

Impressum: 

cleanroom online / W.A. Schuster GmbH · Mozartstrasse 45 · D 70180 Stuttgart · Tel. +49 711 9 64 03 50 · Fax +49 711 9 64 03 66 

info@reinraum.de · www.cleanroom-online.de · GF Dipl.-Designer Reinhold Schuster · Stgt, HRB 14111 · VAT DE 147811997 

Original texts and images 

The contributions mentioned by name are the responsibility of the particular author. Reprinting, also of extracts, are permitted only with the approval of 

the editor and with reference to the source. The publisher does not accept any responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and illustrations. The publisher 

is granted the exclusive, spatial, temporal and contentual limited right to freely use the article in unchanged or edited form for all purposes as often as 

desired or to transfer it to third parties for use. This right of use relates to print and electric media (Internet, databases, data carriers of all kinds). 


page 22/43

Newsletter_07-2023_EN

Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!

Delete template?

Save as template ?