Newsletter_07-2025_EN

EN 07/25

Strategic

expansion

TITEL

DHL transforms DHL Health Logistics campus in

Florstadt into a European pharmaceutical hub as

part of its multi-billion investment strategy

Strategic

expansion

– State-of-the-art infrastructure for biopharmaceuticals,

medical technology and clinical trials on a site spanning

the equivalent of 14 soccer fields

– With a clean room, the option for -70 °C zones, and

real-time visibility, DHL is upgrading the site for the

next generation of pharmaceutical products

– Life Sciences & Healthcare campus in the heart of

Europe to become a backbone of DHL’s global Health

Logistics network

DHL Group is moving forward with the strategic expansion of its

Life Sciences & Healthcare (LSH) campus in Florstadt near Frankfurt

am Main, Germany. The site’s transformation into a European

pharmaceutical hub is part of a global multibillion investment in

DHL Health Logistics. With the addition of the fourth new state-ofthe-art

logistics center, the campus now comprises a total of 100,000

square meters of warehouse space. With a footprint in excess of 14

soccer fields, the DHL site will in future offer capacity for more than

140,000 pallets for pharmaceutical and medical products, serving

international customers from the biopharma, specialty pharma, medical

technology and clinical research sectors with more than 600

highly qualified employees on site.

The new climate-neutral “Florstadt 4” warehouse spans over

30,000 square meters and has been specifically designed for the

storage and distribution of high-value pharmaceutical and medical

products. It features multiple temperature zones, with the capability

to reach as low as -70°C if needed. Particular focus is placed on the

critical temperature ranges of 2–8°C and -20°C, ensuring compliance

with the highest standards for handling temperature-sensitive

products.

With its four highly specialized warehouses right in the geographical

heart of Central Europe, the site offers ideal logistics connections

and first-class infrastructure for the storage and distribution

of sophisticated pharmaceutical and medical products. In addition,

highly specialized services such as sample collection, support for clinical

studies and the handling of biopharmaceuticals and cell and

gene therapies are provided on site.

A further special feature on the premises is the integrated clean

room which enables GMP-compliant processes for highly sensitive

substances and raw pharmaceutical materials. This includes the

handling of solid and liquid hazardous substances up to 1,000 liters

– including active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and samples of

active ingredients as well as analytical and microbiological tests. The

clean room adheres to the most stringent European and international

pharmaceutical standards and is an outstanding example of the

advanced logistics solutions that DHL offers its customers. With this

further expansion phase, the Florstadt site is also consolidating its

strategic importance within the global DHL Health Logistics network.

„With this fourth expansion, we are creating capacity for the future

in Florstadt,” says Hendrik Venter, CEO DHL Supply Chain for

Europe, Middle East and Africa. From here, we can supply customers

not only in Germany, but throughout Europe – and beyond. Our central

location in the Frankfurt economic region, right in the heart of

Europe, the close proximity to Frankfurt Airport and the strong local

infrastructure all make Florstadt a key location for our activities and

our ambitious growth agenda in the Life Science & Healthcare sector,“

he confirms.

In his extended role as the Executive Board Member responsible

for the DHL Health Logistics sector brand, Oscar de Bok, Global

CEO DHL Supply Chain, sees the expansion of the Florstadt site

as consistent with DHL Group’s overall strategic focus: „Florstadt 4

is a prime and concrete example of how we are implementing our

Strategy 2030 – with investments totaling €2 billion by 2030, we

are strengthening our global DHL Health Logistics network. Hubs

like this one here in Florstadt near Frankfurt form the backbone of

our end-to-end Supply Chain solutions, which we are increasingly

offering customers from a single source. We are creating state-ofthe-art,

resilient supply chains for the next generation of therapies

– from biopharma to cell and gene therapy. Our mission is to provide

patients with the vital medicines they need, when they need them,

all around the world.”

At the Florstadt site, DHL Supply Chain is focusing on end-toend

visibility, compliance, and digitalization – with daily operational

processes supported by a warehouse management system that is

closely integrated with the customer’s IT systems. This also facilitates

efficient supply chain management for particularly complex and

patient-specific products such as clinical trials or temperature-sensitive

specialty medications.

Rainer Haag, CEO DHL Supply Chain Germany & Alps, confirms

the importance of the location: „The Frankfurt Rhine-Main area is

one of the most important economic regions in Europe. The fact that

we are consistently expanding our largest LSH campus in Germany

right here in Florstadt shows just how important the site is at the heart

of our DHL Health Logistics strategy. As we expand, we are keeping

an eye to sustainability and climate protection – the site is also

a flagship project in terms of environmentally friendly operations.”

With climate-neutral operations, solar thermal panels, air source

heat pumps and a comprehensive energy concept with LED lighting

control and a photovoltaic system, DHL is pursuing a holistic

approach as a Green Logistics Provider of Choice. The site’s DGNB

Gold certification confirms these high environmental standards and

the future-oriented planning of the project.

DHL Group

D 53113 Bonn

www.reinraum.de | www.cleanroom-online.com NEWSLETTER | Edition EN 07-2025

page 2/37

JULY 2025

YOUR ADVERTISEMENT IN THE

REINRAUM YEARBOOK 2026

AND IN THE

BOOK OF EXPERTS 2026

Dear cleanroom professionals,

The second half of the year has begun and we are

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> Strategic Expansion

> Altmann Fördertechnik celebrates company

anniversary

> Highly flexible, automated and digitized jelly roll

production with various testing Options

> The main mistakes in performing a smoke study

> This is how the optics of the future are created –

from glass to final Assembly

> Syntegon delivers record results in 2024

> Solutions for precision surfaces in

medical Technology

> Solutions for safe, efficient, and high-purity

automation applications

> . . .

With kind regards

Reinhold Schuster

Click here >>click<< for the MediaData

or simply send us an email: info@reinraum.de


page 3/37

Robert Altmann, Achim Altmann; Management Team - Altmann GmbH (Photo: Altmann Fördertechnik)

30 years of crane technology from Albaching:

Altmann Fördertechnik celebrates

company anniversary

Altmann Fördertechnik celebrates its 30th anniversary in

June. The manufacturer of special and custom cranes has

turned a small Upper Bavarian village near Lake Chiemsee

into a technology centre. Cranes with a lifting capacity of

up to 30 tonnes and a span of up to 30 metres that meet the

highest clean room standards are manufactured here in the

district of Rosenheim, around 45 km east of Munich. Founded

30 years ago by Josef and Robert Altmann, the family

business with around 50 employees has developed into a

crane specialist whose solutions are in demand worldwide.

Transporting loads without dirt particles escaping into the air. This

is the simple denominator of what is being worked on in Albaching.

However, the amount of ‘brainpower’ behind the developments is

not visible on the outside of the end product. The employees play a

large part in the successful projects and the development of new innovations

- such as the semi-automatic crane with pendulum damping.

Robert and Achim Altmann, who run Altmann Fördertechnik

in tandem, are proud of their employees, who always want to push

the boundaries of what is technically feasible in their profession and

thus set standards in the industry. Take the world‘s largest cleanroom

crane, for example. This twin crane can lift 60 tonnes in synchronised

operation - and with an accuracy of +/- 1 mm! It is used by

a well-known optics company in Baden-Württemberg to lift vacuum

chambers. Robert Altmann says: ‘As far as I know, there are only two

other companies in the world capable of manufacturing cleanroom

cranes of this size.’

‘In contrast, the first cleanroom crane that I designed and manufactured

together with my father had a lifting capacity of 500 kilograms,’

recalls Robert Altmann, adding with a grin: ‘However, the

cleanrooms back then also had rather “cute” dimensions and the

loads were manageable.’ The first crane was manufactured within

three months. The special feature: the particle emissions were so low

that they met the required cleanroom conditions.

Because every speck of dust counts

The trick is to combine the materials in such a way that abrasion and

outgassing are minimised as far as possible. As a result, all cables,

screw connections, electrical components, sensors, the hoist and

the electric belt hoist are concealed ‘cleanly and safely’ under a housing.

The load belts are also made of a special material that is maintenance-free

and hardly expands at all. Interesting to know: The


page 4/37

to ‘get a taste’ of the world of cranes during a one-week work placement.

Young people can thus gain an insight into whether they would

like to ‘tinker’ here at the Upper Bavarian pioneer in crane technology.

Anyone interested in an apprenticeship also has a good chance

of securing a training place this autumn. Apart from the technical

product designer apprenticeship, there are still places available - and

applicants are welcome.

A high level of vertical integration makes us independent

particle emissions of a standard hoist are around a hundred times

higher than those of a cleanroom crane.

This first development of a cleanroom crane in 2008 laid the

foundation for further specialisation in cleanroom cranes, and the

company was able to win orders from four industries that were showing

increasing demand: The semiconductor industry, the pharmaceutical

and defence industries and aerospace technology. On

average, around 100 cranes leave the production halls in Albaching

every year.

A brief look back at the beginnings

Team Altmann (Photo: Altmann Fördertechnik)

The specialisation in cleanroom cranes was not a given from the

outset. Josef and Robert Altmann had the company Altmann Fördertechnik

entered in the commercial register in June 1995. Josef Altmann

contributed his contacts and his incredible business acumen,

Robert Altmann his sound business and technical knowledge. Two

years later, son Achim also joined the company. The commercial

specialist had completed a degree in industrial engineering. He has

been a member of the management team since 2008. Before founding

the company, father Josef worked as a sales representative for

crane systems and was branch manager at Günter Stahl in Munich.

Josef and Robert Altmann had recognised that companies had an increasing

need for customised crane systems, so the idea was born to

develop individual special cranes tailored to the needs of customers.

Five years after the company was founded in Ebersberg in the east

of Munich, the opportunity arose to move to Albaching. In 2000, the

first factory building was constructed there, which still stands today.

In 2012, a larger plot of land was acquired in the east of Albaching.

Another production hall was put into operation in 2015. Today, two

production halls and the administration building are located on

11,000 square metres, where the special cranes and special systems

are designed and manufactured.

Today, Altmann Fördertechnik employs 53 people and is currently

training eight young people. The foundations are laid here for

five different professions: Mechatronics technician, industrial mechanic,

cutting machine operator, construction mechanic and technical

product designer.

Altmann Fördertechnik offers interested pupils the opportunity

Altmann Fördertechnik has its own welding line in its production

halls, where the box girders are manufactured in-house. „We build

our crane systems completely in-house, draw and develop them and

take care of all the structural calculations. The control systems are

planned, built and programmed in-house,“ explains Robert Altmann.

Only the powder coating is outsourced. Even gear wheels, gears and

cable drums are manufactured by the company‘s own employees to

ensure high quality. The centrepiece of production is the area where

the so-called marriage takes place. This is where the supporting

structures and box girders are ‘married’ to the control system, i.e. the

electronic components are installed in the crane system. This is followed

by the in-house test stand, where the crane systems are put

through their paces before delivery.

The high level of vertical integration of well over 70 per cent paid

off, especially during the coronavirus crisis and the start of the war in

Ukraine. With the exception of the supply of electronic components

and steel, the company was largely independent of suppliers.

International reputation increases

The fact that the company has gained a national and international

reputation as a crane specialist is demonstrated by these special projects:

the Movable Skylights in Mecca, numerous clean room projects

in other European countries and the sliding wall for the Bundeswehr

memorial in Berlin.

In 2009, the memorial for German soldiers was inaugurated on

the grounds of the Bendlerblock in front of the Ministry of Defence

in Berlin. Altmann was commissioned with the overall concept for

the sliding wall to protect the memorial. „Thanks to our experience

in special crane construction, we were able to impress with our concept.

The complete realisation of the sliding wall, including the creation

of a verifiable static calculation and the circuit diagrams, was

carried out in-house,“ recalls Robert Altmann. Achim Altmann adds:

„The particular challenges lay in the fact that the sliding wall had to

be functional up to wind force 7 and, with a size of 18.25 x 8 metres,

offered a large area exposed to the wind. We synchronised the drives

electronically and integrated the entire technology into the frame of

the sliding wall. Secondly, the wall had to be burglar-proof thanks to

a hydraulic locking system that had to be invisible from the outside.“

Altmann‘s concept and execution were also convincing for an

unusual project in Mecca. Riva Engineering developed and installed

a series of twelve roof structures for the Holy Mosque - the Movable

Skylights. Altmann Fördertechnik was responsible for the drive and

lifting system used to raise, open and close the twelve mosque roofs

fully automatically. ‘The particular challenge here was the high safety

requirements, as in the event of a fire, moving the roofs serves to

extract smoke from the mosques,’ says Robert Altmann.

In recent years, Altmann Fördertechnik has increasingly handled

international orders. Although the core business remains in Germany

and Europe, cranes manufactured in Upper Bavaria have also

been exported to Asia, South America and Africa. The management

and employees see three recent awards as confirmation of their work

to date and as an incentive for further innovations.


page 5/37

Award-winning innovations

In 2023, the crane specialist ‘bagged’ two awards. Altmann was one

of eight companies to be honoured with the Bavarian SME Award

2023. The award recognises Bavarian companies that act as ‘pillars

of society’ and act as role models in their region: because they develop

innovative products, operate sustainably and are perceived

as an attractive employer. In the same year, the Fraunhofer Institute

for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA) honoured

an innovation from Altmann with third place in the ‘REINER’ cleanliness

technology award at LOUNGES2023 in Karlsruhe. A year

earlier, the semi-automatic crane with pendulum damping had been

nominated for the Cleanzone innovation award. The specially developed

cleanroom crane transports machine parts to the desired

assembly or production location with millimetre precision. The pendulum

damping integrated into the semi-automatic crane ensures

that no vibrations occur and that the load does not swing up during

the transport process. Managing Director Achim Altmann: „Without

pendulum damping, the precise positioning of the object takes a lot

of time and requires both calmness and skill. The electronic pendulum

damping makes work easier for employees and reduces the

risk of accidents.“ This innovation therefore helps to increase work

safety in cleanrooms.

Sustainably into the future

Thanks to a PV system and connected cold-water heat pump, Altmann

Fördertechnik is able to cover its own electricity requirements

in production and administration. 200 KWp PV modules covering

1,400 m2 were installed on the roof of the production hall, generating

significantly more electricity than Altmann needs itself. When

selecting suppliers, the company takes care to work with regional

companies: Machinists and aluminium foundries are located in the

immediate vicinity.

In future, Altmann will increasingly focus on solutions that

support the automation of material flow processes and increase

productivity, which are increasingly in demand in view of the

shortage of skilled labour. The order books are full. Thanks to the

expertise and passion of its employees, Altmann believes it is ideally

positioned to meet the challenges of the coming years. The

employees identify strongly with the company - because above all

they contribute to setting standards in cleanroom crane technology.

ALTMANN GmbH

Oberdieberg 23-25

D 83544 Albaching

Telefon: +49 8076 88790

eMail: info@altmann-foerdertechnik.de

Internet: http://www.altmann-foerdertechnik.de

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Kontaktieren Sie uns für mehr Informationen:

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+49 351 8896 3850

www.reinraum.de | www.cleanroom-online.com pmsgermany@pmeasuring.com

NEWSLETTER | Ausgabe DE 05-2023

Seite 6/103

Expanding requirements, increasing complexity:

How to process highly potent products safely.

Safe processing of highly potent

active ingredients (HPAPI)

Highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients (HPAPIs) are becoming increasingly

important in the pharmaceutical industry. They unlock new, promising

treatment options, particularly in oncology. At the same time, they pose major

challenges for production: Their effectiveness requires careful handling, as even

the smallest quantities require extensive containment measures to protect people,

the environment, and the purity of the product.

Rapid growth meets high demands

The number of highly effective drugs is

growing rapidly. Whether personalized

cancer therapies or targeted antibody drug

conjugates (ADCs), they are changing therapy

from the ground up. Even the smallest

quantities are sufficient to achieve an effect.

However, if personnel come into uncontrolled

contact with these substances,

serious health risks can arise. The safety

requirements for processing are correspondingly

high. A common limit is an OEL

value of ≤ 10 μg/m³ - i.e. a maximum concentration

in the air that is permitted in the

workplace. Such active substances require

an extremely high level of control and protective

measures.

Why containment is mandatory

Handling HPAPI poses risks, especially

for production employees. Likewise, production

personnel are one of the biggest

sources of product contamination. Modern

containment concepts ensure that neither

potentially hazardous substances get outside,

nor particles or germs get inside.

Processes, systems, regulations

- Everything must be compatible

Due to the risks involved, highly potent active

ingredients require a production environment

in which all components are perfectly

coordinated. Devices and systems must be

easy and safe to clean to avoid cross-contamination.

Transport systems that can be

dismantled, automated washing processes,

and simulations reduce risks and increase

process reliability. This also applies to cleaning

the outside of the vials, as safe further

processing is only possible without residues.

In addition to the technical challenges,

regulatory requirements are also increasing.

Manufacturing processes must not only

comply with the principles of Good Manufacturing

Practice (GMP), but also with environmental,

health and safety (EHS) requirements.

All of this emphasizes that safety is not

an add-on but must be an integral part of

planning. It is not just about minimizing

risks, but also about ensuring that product

quality and employee safety are always guaranteed.

In the video, the experts demonstrate

key points for the safe handling of highly

potent active ingredients and how modern

production systems must be designed to

meet the increased requirements.

OPTIMA packaging group GmbH

D 74523 Schwäbisch Hall


page 7/37

The winding system, which also features an inline quality check, enables the automated

and digitized manufacture of jelly rolls in different designs and formats.

(Photo credit: Fraunhofer IPA/ photo: Rainer Bez)

Innovative winding machine for cylindrical battery

cells offering a unique range of formats and contacting

possibilities

For contacting with welded current

collectors, a robot places the tabs on the

anode and cathode and joins them using

an ultrasonic welding device.

(Photo credit: Fraunhofer IPA/ photo:

Rainer Bez)

Highly flexible, automated and

digitized jelly roll production with

various testing options

Battery cells are crucial for energy storage in e-mobility and other applications - and a major cost factor. In order to reduce

reject rates significantly, improve quality and develop innovative cell designs, an automated and digitized production line

for cylindrical battery cells has been developed at the Center for Digitized Battery Cell Manufacturing ZDB at Fraunhofer

IPA. A core element of this is the fully automated system from acp systems for manufacturing jelly rolls in a range of formats

and designs, including a variety of testing options.

The traction battery accounts for around 40 percent of the costs of

an electric car. Accounting for up to 80 percent, battery cells are the

most expensive component, with cylindrical cell formats becoming

increasingly popular. Their manufacture, which can be roughly divided

into the following steps of electrode production, winding &

assembly, electrolyte filling & forming, is extremely complex. High

reject rates are therefore a problem. Conservatively estimated at 10

to 15 percent, this amounts to between 100 and 150 million cells per

year in a gigawatt-hour factory. Consequently, there is enormous

scope to cut costs. Another potential cost-saving area is innovative

cell formats and designs for round cells. To fully exploit these possibilities,

production processes need to be adapted and further developed,

taking into account economic and ecological aspects.

Improving quality with digitized, networked processes

This is one of the areas of expertise of the Center for Digitized Battery

Cell Manufacturing ZDB, which was founded in 2018, at the

Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation

IPA. “We felt that by automating, digitizing and networking

the entire value chain in production, individual processes can be

optimized, and rejects can be identified earlier and more effectively

using feedback and sensor information. This improves the quality of

the cells and cut costs significantly,” reports Prof. Kai Peter Birke,

Director of Battery and Hydrogen Systems and Storage Technologies

at IPA. To this end, a complete, digitized and networked production

line for manufacturing cylindrical cells for lithium-ion and

sodium-ion batteries has been developed at the ZDB. The line not

only enables production processes to be optimized for existing cell

formats and adapted for new cell formats up to 46xx, but also allows

corresponding prototypes to be manufactured in small series of up

to1,000 units.

Various formats and designs for winding jelly rolls inline

The centerpiece of the production line is the versatile winding system

for producing jelly rolls in different formats and designs, which

was developed together with the machinery & equipment manufacturer

acp systems. “We also discussed this task with other equipment

manufacturers but found that they were unable to respond to


page 8/37

notches) and tabless continuous design (without laser notches). It

was essential that the contacting solutions could be combined as

required. The machine also had to include different options for testing

the quality of the jelly rolls and be able to process all common

materials used in the manufacture of high-performance round cells.

Modular system concept for the various process steps

The quality of the jelly rolls is checked in the system by means of

a hi-pot test. The dimensional accuracy of the winding

geometry and position of the current collector is checked by

optical inline inspection. Cells that are not up to standard are

automatically taken out of the line.


The anode and cathode are notched using an integrated laser cutting

system. The various contacting options can be combined as required.


The result was a modular system concept with a total of four stations.

The coils holding the anode and cathode sheets are located

in the first module and are first unwound in parallel next to each

other in a specific way. During each process step, web edge control

systems ensure that the sheets are always guided precisely into

position.

The current collectors are also contacted in the first station. To

do this, a robot places tabs on the anode and cathode, which are

then joined using an ultrasonic welding head. The second module

includes a laser cutting system for notching, which can be used to

notch both the anode and the cathode. It also features an integrated

deflecting device that moves the electrode sheets laterally into the

winding plane so that they run over each other into the third module

without touching. This module contains two further coils holding

the separator films. The actual winding process starts by inserting

the separator films into the core of the roll. After a few turns, the

anode sheet is inserted between the two separator films from above.

A gripper then inserts the cathode sheet into the core. Once this is

completed, the winding process starts. In the last module, the jelly

rolls first undergo a high-voltage test, known as the hi-pot test, to

rule out any subsequent short circuits in the cell. This is followed by

an optical inline inspection; here, the dimensional accuracy of the

cell is checked with regard to winding geometry and position of the

current collector. Cells that have passed both tests are placed in a

workpiece carrier and forwarded to the next production step. Cells

that are not up to standard are automatically taken out of the line.

“Thanks to the very close and open - as well as direct and uncomplicated

- cooperation with acp, we have received a machine that

exactly meets our requirements. The machine provides us with an

optimal basis for developing a system for dosing electrolytes next,”

notes Kai Peter Birke.

Modularity ensures optimal adaptation

to individual requirements

The buffer ensures that sufficient cathode and anode material is always

fed to the continuous winding process.


The modular winding system also offers advantages when it comes

to the mass production of cylindrical battery cells. It can be used to

manufacture coils with a diameter of up to 60 mm and a maximum

length of 110 mm. Winding speeds up to 2.5 meters/second can be

achieved. The various contacting solutions and test options can be

adapted to any company-specific requirements. Furthermore, an

additional dry and residue-free cleaning process can be integrated

in a space-saving manner after process steps in which particles are

generated, such as ultrasonic welding and laser cutting.

our specific requirements and wishes and start a joint development,”

recalls Kai Peter Birke. One of the requirements was that the machine

must be able to wind jelly rolls for very small battery cells as

well as for very large ones. In addition, the machine had to be able

to integrate various solutions for inline contacting/current collection

(tabs), with welded tabs as well as tabless notched design (with laser

acp systems AG

Berblingerstraße 8

D 71254 Ditzingen

Telefon: +49 7156 480140

eMail: info@acp-systems.com

Internet: http://acp-systems.com


page 9/37

The main mistakes in

performing a smoke study

The international journal Cleanroom Technology

requested our paper on a crucial topic

in cleanroom contamination control, namely

smoke study. What is of most interest

is the identification of the most common errors

that are made during a testing process.

Cristina Masciola (Marketing Business

Partner) compiled an article comparing Andrea

Nava (Validation Engineer) and Roberto

Stroppa (Validation Manager), whose decades

of experience, expertise and constant

updating provided a timely overview of what

are the major risks of error in the execution

of a smoke study.

Thesmoke study is a fundamental element

of the qualitative and quantitative

analysis of an airflow. The purpose of airflow

visualization studies is to demonstrate, on

the one hand, visual evidence of unidirectional

airflows within an aseptic facility and,

on the other hand, the ability of the system

as a whole to protect the product and critical

areas through a constant flow of primary air

from the absolute filters. The need to control

the maintenance of unidirectional flows

is clearly stated in the Annex 1 document.

Cleanrooms should be supplied with a filtered

air supply that maintains a positive pressure

and/or an airflow relative to the background

environment of a lower grade under

all operational conditions and should flush

the area effectively. Adjacent rooms of different

grades should have an air pressure difference

of a minimum of 10 Pascals (guidance

value). Particular attention should be paid

to the protection of the critical zone. The recommendations

regarding air supplies and

pressures may need to be modified where

it is necessary to contain certain materials

(e.g. pathogenic, highly toxic or radioactive

products or live viral or bacterial materials).

The modification may include positively or

negatively pressurized airlocks that prevent

the hazardous material from contaminating

surrounding areas.

Airflow patterns within cleanrooms and

zones should be visualized to demonstrate

that there is no ingress from lower grade

to higher grade areas and that air does not

travel from less clean areas (such as the

floor) or over operators or equipment that

may transfer contamination to the higher

grade areas. Where unidirectional airflow

is required, visualisation studies should be

performed to determine compliance, (see

paragraphs 4.4 & 4.19). When filled, closed

products are transferred to an adjacent cleanroom

of a lower grade via a small egress

point, airflow visualization studies should

demonstrate that air does not ingress from

the lower grade cleanrooms to the grade B

area. Where air movement is shown to be a

contamination risk to the clean area or critical

zone, corrective actions, such as design

improvement, should be implemented. Airflow

pattern studies should be performed

both at rest and in operation (e.g. simulating

operator interventions). Video recordings

of the airflow patterns should be retained.

The outcome of the air visualisation studies

should be documented and considered

when establishing the facility‘s environmental

monitoring program.

Remarks and warning letters

On the regulatory side, regulators have repeatedly

intervened through observations

and warning letters, complaining about

the absence of adequate tests documenting

adequate airflow in both At Rest and

In Operation conditions. Specifically cited

within the comments and warning letters

are: CFR 21 part 113 (b): Appropriate written

procedures, designed to prevent microbiological

contamination of drug products

purporting to be sterile, shall be established

and followed. Such procedures shall include

validation of all aseptic and sterilization

processes...where the operator interrupts

the unidirectionality of the flow by creating

turbulent motion, or where, in testing, the

angle of the chamber does not permit proper

visualization of the flow, or the reagent

source is positioned inefficiently. Other observations

report that:

– Smoke studies in ISO 5 fume hoods

were not conducted under In Operation

conditions

– No study was carried out to evaluate the

airflow pattern during aseptic operations

– No airflow pattern evaluation was conducted

to determine that personnel

activities and manual transfer of materials

between ISO 8 and ISO 7 adversely affect

air movement and air cascade

– Smoking studies have not been

adequately documented

– The airflow model video does not present

data to adequately assess the potential


page 10/37

impact of the product on turbulence by

observing vortices in the middle of ISO 5

hoods during In Operation

Therefore, it would in fact be reductive to

consider the study of airflows in classified

environments a mere control test. The smoke

study is in fact a moment of investigation

of the critical issues present in a process,

which determines not only a series of possible

corrective actions of the studied process

but also the verification of the consequently

made implementation activities. The smoke

study initiates a kind of domino effect,

in which an airflow control becomes the

driving force behind subsequent and consequential

controls and verifications. The

behavior of cleanroom operators, their exact

adherence to SOPs, their training and the

quality of processes become verifiable precisely

through the smoke visualization test.

In fact, inspection bodies often challenge

tests that have not covered steps not directly

related to air flows, such as the transfer of

materials from neighboring areas.

Parameters to consider when

performing the smoke study

The smoke study contemplates a number of

parameters critical to its proper execution

and to avert any nonconformities that could

alter both its success and the process under

consideration.

– Study of the layout/area under

consideration

– Study of ventilation system

flow management

– Reagent used

– Volatility

– Persistence

– Visibility

– Equipment used

– Operator interventions

– Humidity and temperature

– Smoke angles

– Video Shooting

– The human factor

Each of these parameters, if not properly

contemplated, can generate errors. The

first two, layout and flow management, can

be considered structurally essential to the

safety and effectiveness of production processes.

The layout

One of the major critical issues may be determined

by an inappropriate layout of the

area where the production process takes

place. Such areas should ensure unidirectional

flow and good system capability in

protecting the product and critical areas.

Often, the study of flows highlights precisely

the criticality of layouts. The resulting corrective

actions are crucial to avoid disruption

of unidirectional flows and a possible

production stoppage.

Ventilation system flow management

Smoke study often highlights poor flow management,

but not only that, it is a valuable

aid in verifying pressure cascades to neighboring

and local areas of lower criticality.

Reagent

MyFog® by AM

The choice of reagent is one of the determinants

of the success of a smoke study

and should be considered in several aspects.

First, volatility. The right degree of volatility

allows the reagent to be transported without

altering the direction of air flows. A

low volatility value can result in a downward

direction from the generator mouth preventing

good visualization of stagnant airflows

in specific areas of the process. Similarly,

the degree of persistence: low persistence

may not be sufficient for the completion of

visualization. The balance between volatility

and persistence is essentially related to the

size of the area under analysis. And to these

two parameters we have to add the time required

for recording flows. How long should

it take and what distance should the smoke

travel to cover the entire flow without altering

it and to allow for proper registration?

This is the question we must ask ourselves

in designing a successful smoke study. The

right balance avoids misinterpretation even

by inspection agencies. Last but not least,

the tracer used must be nontoxic and free of

corrosive capabilities harmful to personnel

and the equipment and systems involved in

the smoke study.

The smoke generator

Currently, smoke generation equipment

uses more:

– CO2

– Glycol solution

– Liquid Nitrogen

– Deionized water

The toxicity of CO2 and especially liquid

nitrogen, as well as the complexity of their

management, make their use inadvisable.

The glycol solution implies the need for

thorough cleaning subsequent to the fume

study. Therefore, the use of deionized water

is advisable, not only because of its compatibility

with the materials and the absolute

safety of the operator, but also because,

through a study of the aforementioned parameters,

it ensures the success and effectiveness

of the smoke study. A good generator

ensures that smoke particles are not affected

by gravity by falling to the ground in the

absence of air flow. Of course, this characteristic

must also be associated with other

qualities. The smoke generator should also

have a degree of automation that promotes

the reduction of operator intervention within

the area under analysis. In fact, remote

control of the test avoids the risk of operator

alteration of flows. Accessories are also

critical. Tubes of varying lengths as well as

lances help to carry out the smoke study in

the best possible way.

Relative humidity and temperature

Other parameters to consider are the relative

humidity and temperature of the air in

the tested area: if the humidity is too low or

the temperature too high, the display is impaired.

Smoke angles

It is essential to direct the smoke perpendicularly

or obliquely to the airflow so that

the air configuration can be accurately visualized.

Smoke studies performed with the

smoke emitted in the same direction as the

airflow are a poor technique.

Shooting

The most important outcome of a smoke

study is accurate video evidence that indicates

the adequacy of flows to inspection

agencies. Recording from multiple angles

and with the right level of lighting can give

the desired result.

Depending on the size of the area, at

least three cameras should be used to cap-


page 11/37

ture the airflow patterns being studied from

opposite sides of the airflow pattern and

from the front. The view of each opposing

camera must be wide enough to capture all

the airflow and smoke involved in the study.

The angles should capture the entire length

of the smoke pattern, any operator manipulations

(if it is an „in operation“ study),

and the equipment being used. A recording

with incorrect angles may not include the

entire smoke curtain, operator manipulations,

or air flowing over the equipment.

Missing one element of the study process

can invalidate the entire effort. In situations

such as in a biological safety cabin

with an interior of one ISO classification

and an exterior of a different classification

or passages/thresholds/doors between

rooms where the focus is airflow directionality

and potential leakage, it is always

advisable to have at least three cameras to

capture different angles. However, a single

camera may be best when the subject is a

HEPA-filtered air supply within an ISO-rated

room. Adequate lighting is critical for

accurate video reproduction of the smoke

study. Finding the balance is critical: not

too bright to cause glare or too dim to lose

essential details. In both cases of recording

angles and lighting, it is often helpful to do

some testing to fine-tune camera angles

and lighting to verify that you are capturing

the originally intended smoke and airflows

before performing the actual smoke study.

The human factor

Last but not least is the human factor. There

is often a gap between operational procedures

and their implementation, and it is this

gap that represents one of the most important

risks within a process. The smoke Study

is an essential time to check the gap between

what should be done and what is actually

done within the process. Its outcomes

are extremely useful in acting on corrective

actions and subsequent implementation activities.

MyFog® by AM: an effective tool,

a team of professionals with decades

of experience

The AM validation team performs the smoke

test service through the MyFog system,

the result of the research and development

of the company that has been at the forefront

of contamination control since 1990. As

AM‘s Validation Manager Roberto Stroppa

says, a smoke study cannot and should

not be a simple airflow check, but a careful

analysis of all the elements that contribute

to contamination control. It is no coincidence

that in recent years regulators have

used fume studies as verification tests that

address not only airflows, but also and especially

operational dynamics. This means that

the situation in operation takes precedence

over the situation at rest.

MyFog® is a unique and innovative tool:

– works with process water

– one operator

– remote control

– dense quality smoke

The benefits of MyFog®

A single operator, with the standard remote

control option, can manage the unit‘s start/

stop, intensity and speed of smoke regulation.

MyFog® has an intuitive interface with a

2.8“ touch screen, which allows the operator

to have immediate diagnostics and display

of key operating parameters.

All-Inclusvie accessories

MyFog® is complete with smart

accessories:

– additional fittings for pipe extension

– multi-hole lance for fog curtains

– telescopic rod

– trolley

– suitcase with wheels for transportation

– „follow me“ tube

– support

Applications for every need

– Display of airflow velocity and direction

in all classified rooms

– Balancing of pressures between rooms

through visual indication

– Aid in the identification of air stagnation

zones

Advanced technology

– Remote control with radio remote control

(fan speed, fog density and pause mode)

– 2.8“ TfT touch screen display

– Water level display and diagnostics with

chromatic status indication

– Temperature monitoring and diagnostics

with graphical display

– Automatic life-cycle optimization of

transducers with selective switch-on

according to operating hours

– fog density adjustment

– Fan rotation speed adjustment

(fog spreading speed)

– Quick Start/Stop function

– Monitoring hours of power on, emission,

and use of each piezoelectric transducer

– piezoelectric transducer malfunction

diagnostics

– explicit alarm diagnostic indication

– Password-protected diagnostic menu in

operator mode (read only)

– Diagnostic menu in supervisor mode

(changes allowed) password protected

– Pause function with storage of current

generation settings

– Cycle reset to stored settings on exit from

pause or power interruption

– Variable beeper according to function

– transducer life cycle alarm

An example of camera positioning

for smoke studies.

An example of monitor visualization

for smoke studies.

AM INSTRUMENTS

Via Isonzo, 1/C

IT 20812 Limbiate (MB)

Telefon: +39 02 8728421

eMail: info@aminstruments.com

Internet: https://global.aminstruments.com/


page 12/37

From lab to production:

Fette Compacting and CMIC enter

into strategic partnership.

Strategic

Partnership with CMIC

Fette Compacting and CMIC CMO USA, a leading Contract Development and

Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), are entering into a strategic cooperation.

The partnership marks a milestone in the implementation of Fette Compacting‘s

new strategy “Together - from lab to production” and strengthens the company‘s

position as a holistic process partner.

At the center of the collaboration is the integration

of the FE CPS Continuous Direct

Compression system with a FE55 rotary

tablet press from Fette Compacting

into CMIC‘s GMP-certified cleanrooms in

Cranbury, New Jersey. With the help of Fette

Compacting and CMIC, pharmaceutical

companies can develop and validate Continuous

Manufacturing processes and have

clinical samples produced under regulated

conditions. The combination of CMIC‘s regulatory

expertise and Fette Compacting‘s

technological leadership creates a unique

development platform.

“As a tableting specialist, we are consistently

developing into a process partner

for the entire powder formulation and tablet

production process,” explains Joachim Dittrich,

CEO of Fette Compacting. „The cooperation

with CMIC is an important step

in this direction. Together, we support pharmaceutical

manufacturers from early development

onwards - with the aim of bringing

innovative medicines to market faster

and more efficiently.“

Key technologies bundled in one place

The partnership bundles innovative systems

for the entire development process: Fette

Compacting‘s F Lab series, for example,

supports formulation development by precisely

characterizing powder properties and

tablets. Special emulators enable the testing

of process parameters under real conditions

with minimal use of materials. The FE CPS

forms the heart of Continuous Production,

while the embedded process analysis technology

(ePAT) monitors critical parameters

in real time - from dosing and powder mixing

to the finished tablet.

Complementary skills

The partnership combines complementary

strengths: Fette Compacting contributes its

process engineering expertise and technology

leadership in tableting while CMIC has

many years of experience in GMP-compliant

development and production of clinical

supplies, and commercial products with

broad analytical laboratory capabilities.

“This partnership opens up completely

new opportunities for our customers, not

just in the US market,” emphasizes Ulrik

Frodermann, President of Fette Compacting

America. „The integration of the FE CPS into

CMIC‘s cleanrooms enables pharmaceutical

companies for the first time to advance

their formulation development in parallel to

building their own production capacities.

Fette Compacting‘s approach simplifies the

entire development and validation process:

customers benefit from short distances and

the seamless combination of formulation

development and analytical studies in one

location.“

“We are excited to further our vision as

a CDMO of choice through this partnership

with Fette Compacting,” said Takahiro

Ueda, CEO of CMIC CMO USA. „The innovative

process technology will significantly

increase speed and flexibility in the development

and manufacture of oral dosage

forms. The synergy between Fette Compacting‘s

advanced solutions and our CDMO

expertise exposes new possibilities for modern

formulations and more efficient manufacturing

methods. Ultimately, the patients

who rely on these therapies will benefit.“

Premiere in June 2025

The new development platform will be presented

to a trade audience for the first time

at a joint event on June 3, 2025. In the long

term, both partners plan to systematically

expand their collaboration with the aim of

establishing a comprehensive service portfolio.

About CMIC

Founded in 1992, CMIC Group was the first

and is one of the largest Contract Research

Organizations in Japan and also ranks

among the top three CDMO‘s in Japan.

CMIC is a global service provider offering

a comprehensive portfolio from drug development

to commercialization.

The CDMO division has state-of-theart

development and production facilities in

Japan, USA and Korea. CMIC CMO USA in

Cranbury, New Jersey, specializes in the development

and GMP-compliant manufacture

of oral solid dosage forms.

Fette Compacting GmbH

D 21493 Schwarzenbeck


page 13/37

This is how the optics

of the future are

created – from glass

to final assembly

Whether in medical technology, quantum technology or

semiconductor production, optical systems are an integral

part of many high-tech applications. To ensure that lenses,

mirrors and other components meet the highest requirements,

manufacturing needs processes that combine precision,

efficiency and flexibility. The Fraunhofer Institute

for Laser Technology ILT develops tailor-made solutions for

precisely this purpose, solutions that consist of a few highly

efficient and extremely productive individual steps. Laserbased

optics manufacturing enables the industry to produce

dimensionally accurate and functional components with

low roughness, from prototypes to series production, from

microlens arrays to macro-optics, from spheres to free-form

optics.

edges in a single clamping operation.

Another method the institute uses is laser ablation. In this process,

a precise laser beam removes material in a targeted manner. In

this way, highly complex shapes such as aspheres or free-form optics,

which are used in cameras or sensors, for example, can be created

from simple, inexpensive blanks such as spherical glass bodies.

„With our laser processes, we shape optics directly – without detours,

without reclamping – and can do so quickly and cost-effectively,“

says Dr. Edgar Willenborg, who has played a key role in developing

the field of optics production at Fraunhofer ILT. „We achieve

maximum efficiency, especially when more than just simple spheres

are required.“

Shaping is followed by finishing: Lasers polish surfaces that are

still rough from previous processing. The laser heats the surface so

sensitively that the smallest irregularities melt away, within a few seconds

and without mechanical contact.

Willenborg and his team are researching laser beam figuring

(LBF) to meet particularly high requirements in terms of shape accuracy.

This involves the targeted ablation and correction of the smallest

form deviations in nanometer layers – i.e. millionths of a millimeter

– which is crucial for high-performance optics, for example.

In addition to shaping and polishing, Fraunhofer ILT also develops

processes for the assembly of optical systems. These include

the precise bonding or soldering of components so that they remain

stable under load and function reliably over a long period of time.

„Whether aspheres, freeforms or classic lenses, we show that laser-based

processing not only works, but also makes economic sense,“

explains Christian Vedder, head of the Surface Technology and

Ablation Department.

At Fraunhofer ILT in Aachen, lasers are not just used for cutting or

welding; they take over the complete production of optical components.

With selective laser-induced etching (SLE), for example,

components such as lenses can be processed on the front, back and

A new generation of optical components is

being developed at Fraunhofer ILT – faster to

manufacture, precisely shaped and exactly

matched to the application. © Fraunhofer ILT,

Aachen, Germany

„The fact that we can map all these steps inhouse

is a major advantage for our partners.

They don‘t just get individual process steps, but

a complete, integrated solution,“ explains Dr.

Edgar Willenborg. © Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen,

Germany

Versatile areas of application – from research to series production

Laser-based optics production at Fraunhofer ILT is not only technologically

exciting, it also demonstrates what is possible in practice.

The processes developed can be used wherever medium precision,

high efficiency and automation are required,

for example in medical technology, where the

smallest lenses are needed for endoscopes or

diagnostic devices, or in quantum technology,

where complex structures are created

from glass that guide and manipulate light.

Such optical components also play an important

role in the semiconductor industry,

for example in the production of the tiniest

structures on microchips.

Another advantage: The technologies

can be flexibly adapted, depending on the

material, shape or quantity. Whether a single

piece for a research laboratory or a larger

series for industrial applications, the combination

of different laser processes creates a

modular system that can be precisely tailored

to the application.

In addition, there are supporting processes

such as laser-based marking and labeling

of optical components or the separation of

glass, for example in wafer-based production.

In this way, all steps along the value

chain can be mapped, from the initial idea to

the finished product.

„Our technologies are particularly in

demand when conventional processes reach

their limits, for example with aspherical


page 14/37

Dastex

From design to finishing to assembly, from draft to

final inspection: the new laser process chain for optics at

Fraunhofer ILT in Aachen. © Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany

optics and complex geometric shapes made of glass,“ says Edgar

Willenborg.

Research and collaboration – thinking ahead together

in optical manufacturing

The demands placed on optical components are constantly increasing,

in terms of precision, complexity and quantity. At the same

time, there is a growing need for flexible, cost-effective solutions

that can be quickly adapted to new applications.

In an interdisciplinary team at Fraunhofer ILT, more than 15

scientific employees are constantly developing new approaches to

make the laser-based production of optical components faster, more

versatile and even more precise. This is not just about basic research,

but above all about how it can be transferred to industrial production.

Close cooperation with industrial partners is an important part

of this work. Together with companies from various sectors, the researchers

test new processes and process chains, adapting them and

making them usable for production. This often results in tailor-made

solutions for specific tasks.

In the future, it will not only be a matter of refining existing processes,

but also of developing new materials and designs. By combining

digital production-oriented optical design and laser-based

manufacturing methods, the institute is making completely new

designs possible. This can result in components that would be very

difficult or impossible to produce using conventional methods, such

as particularly compact or integrated optics for portable devices or

use in space.

The integration into automated production processes and the

connection with modern measurement technologies will also be

further expanded. This means that quality and efficiency can be

combined even better, in line with sustainable and future-proof production.

„By combining digital design and laser-based manufacturing, we

will be able to make much more in the future, especially individualized

products,“ Edgar Willenborg is certain. In the near future, the

Aachen-based research institute wants to meet the highest precision

requirements with the process chain for laser-based optics production.

Lasers are the perfect tool for this.

The Cleanroom

Contamination

Control Experts.

Fraunhofer-Institut für Lasertechnik ILT

D 52074 Aachen

NEWSLETTER | EDITION EN 07-2025

page 15/37

Syntegon’s Pharma Liquid business was the key driver of order intake growth.

Syntegon delivers record results in 2024

– New strategy fuels accelerated growth following CEO transition in late 2023

– Order intake increased by 11% to 1.8 billion EUR and revenue grew by 7% to 1.6 billion EUR

– Strong EBITDA improvement by 15% to 222 million EUR and 14% EBITDA margin (up 100 bps)

– Focused cash flow generation program delivers strong improvement

– Strategic focus on turnkey solutions for the global Pharmaceutical and Biotech industries

– Accelerated growth and further results improvement targeted in 2025

The Syntegon Group, a leading strategic partner to the global pharmaceutical,

biotech and food industries, reported record results for

fiscal year 2024. Driven by its newly introduced corporate strategy

focused on growth, operational excellence and long-term value

creation, Syntegon achieved accelerated growth, strong profitability,

and improved cash flow. Strategic initiatives launched in 2024 included

targeted investments in portfolio expansion and innovation.

“In 2024, we embarked on a new chapter of accelerated growth

and value creation,” says Torsten Türling, CEO of Syntegon. “We are

building on the incredible talent of the people at Syntegon, and our

customers highly value our lifecycle services and turnkey solution

approach. With our new strategic focus, we are well positioned to

capture the strong long-term growth fundamentals, in particular of

the Pharma and Biotech sectors.”

Significant growth and results improved across the business

In 2024, Syntegon increased order intake by 11% to 1.8 billion EUR,

while revenues grew by 7%, reaching 1.6 billion EUR. The Group’s

strong revenue performance led to significant improvements in

EBITDA and cash flow. Operational excellence initiatives contributed

significantly to margin improvement in 2024. Adjusted EBITDA

increased by 15% and reached 222 million EUR, corresponding to an

EBITDA margin of 14%, a 100 basis points increase compared to the

previous year. Focused working capital management has driven a

strong increase in cash flow.

The Pharma business was the strongest contributor to growth,

with order intake up by 17% and revenue up by 11%. Pharma accounted

for 58% of total orders in 2024. The Food business grew orders by

4% and revenues by 2%, representing 42% of total orders. The highmargin

service business recorded double-digit sales growth and accounted

for 39% of total revenue.

Eros Carletti, CFO of Syntegon said: “At both the Group level and

across most business units, we exceeded our financial targets. Our

solid financial performance, strong cash flow, and robust balance

sheet position us well to pursue further organic growth and strategic

acquisitions, enabling us to continue expanding our capabilities.”

New strategy for accelerated growth with focus

on Pharma sector and service business

Following the CEO transition in November 2023, Syntegon launched

a growth-focused strategy in 2024 and further strengthened its leadership

team. The strategy is designed to capture attractive opportunities

in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors while leveraging

Syntegon’s strong position in the food solutions business. A simplified

operating model built around four business units, enhanced decision-making

and accelerated operational execution.

Syntegon’s Pharma Liquid business, powered by its world-leading

aseptic cartridge filling line solutions, was the key driver of or-


page 16/37

der intake growth in 2024 and opens attractive opportunities

for future expansion. The solutions are critical

in helping major pharmaceutical customers scale their

production capacity to meet rising demand in the fastgrowing

anti-obesity drug market.

Value accretive acquisition enhancing

turnkey Pharma solution portfolio

At the end of October 2024, Syntegon completed its

acquisition of the Telstar Group. Telstar is a leading

manufacturer of freeze-drying technologies in the

pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. This acquisition

further strengthens Syntegon’s world-leading position

in turnkey aseptic filling solutions for large volume vial

dosage format, crucial for healthcare applications such

as vaccines and blood plasma products, serving patients

worldwide.

TEXON

BIMOS TEXON -

DER REINRAUMSTUHL, DER NEUE

STANDARDS SETZT

Der Bimos TEXON definiert neue Maßstäbe im

Reinraum. Mit seinem durchgängigen Hygienic

Design, herausragendem Sitzkomfort und

intuitiver Ergonomie ist er der unangefochtene

Spitzenreiter unter den Reinraumstühlen.

Leverage high-performance automation

solutions in Food business

Syntegon achieved record results in its Food business

in 2024, driven by its Switzerland-based high-performance

horizontal packaging division, which delivers

end-to-end automated solutions to leading global food

companies. To sharpen its focus on global scalable line

solutions and related services, Syntegon divested its

lower-margin Food Liquid business mid-2024. Additionally,

the Group optimized its US footprint by consolidating

manufacturing at its flagship plant in New Richmond,

Wisconsin.

Sustainable solutions

Sustainability is high on Syntegon’s and its customers’

agenda. In 2024, the Science Based Targets initiative

(SBTi) validated Syntegon’s carbon emission reduction

goals aiming at reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50%

and Scope 3 emissions by 25% until 2030. Furthermore,

in April 2025, Ecovadis awarded Syntegon with a Platinum

rating, positioning Syntegon among the top 1%

companies globally.

Outlook 2025

Based on a strong order book and the continued favorable

industry dynamics particularly in the pharmaceutical

and biotech sectors, Syntegon expects sustained growth

momentum in 2025. The increasing proportion of high

margin service business and the ongoing operational

efficiencies improvements are expected to yield further

margin improvements in 2025.

Syntegon Technology GmbH

Blaufelder Straße 45

D 74654 Crailsheim

Telefon: +49 7951 4020

eMail: packaging-ph@syntegon.com

Internet: http://www.syntegon.com

NEWSLETTER | Ausgabe EN 07-2025

Seite 17/37

www.bimos.com

Sustainability Consistently Implemented

Climate Neutrality as a Clear Goal:

Schreiner Group Emphasizes

Global Responsibility

Schreiner Group pursues ambitious climate goals - and

permits being judged by them. By submitting scientifically

founded emission targets to the Science Based Targets initiative

(SBTi) the high-tech company has achieved an important

milestone on its journey toward climate neutrality.

Supported by international standards such as the Carbon

Disclosure Project (CDP), Schreiner Group affirms its longterm

commitment to sustainable management.

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) supports companies

worldwide in establishing their targets for reducing and achieving

emissions according to the Paris Climate Agreement. In spring of

2025, Schreiner Group submitted its climate protection goals there.

By 2030, CO2 emissions according to Scope 1 and Scope 2 compared

to the base year of 2022 are supposed to be reduced by 80 percent. In

the long run, the family-owned company is even striving to achieve

full climate neutrality/NET-Zero by 2045. These goals were officially

reviewed and approved by SBTi. They are ambitious and challenge

the company on many levels. Accordingly, the progress achieved so

far is particularly remarkable: Since 2012, Scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions

have been reduced by as much as 90 percent. External assessments

such as a CDP-awarded B Rating show that Schreiner Group

with its actions is operating at an above-average level as well.

Commitment to Global Standards

In addition to participating in SBTi, Schreiner Group is actively involved

in other international sustainability initiatives such as the

Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) promoting the transparency of

environmental data. “By participating in international initiatives, we

create comparability and transparency. As a result, we can objectively

demonstrate our sustainability, climate, and environmental protection

efforts and improve them ourselves,” said Dr. Thomas Gulden,

Schreiner Group’s Sustainability Officer. The high-tech company

ranks among the top four businesses in the printing industry

worldwide in terms of sustainability.

Sustainability as an Element of Corporate Culture

Acting in the spirit of sustainability and assuming social responsibility

have been firmly anchored in Schreiner Group’s corporate

strategy for decades—from responsible supply chain management

to energy-efficient production processes to resource-conserving

management. “We see ourselves as being responsible for thinking

above and beyond statutory requirements and making a measurable

contribution to sustainability—hoping to be able to inspire other

companies in that way as well,” CEO Roland Schreiner emphasizes.

With the official validation of the climate goals by SBTi and

transparent climate reporting, Schreiner Group demonstrates that

it understands sustainability not only as an obligation but actively

shapes it.

Schreiner Group GmbH & Co. KG

D 85764 Oberschleißheim

Green Roofs and Solar Panels: Aerial view of the Schreiner Group headquarters in Oberschleißheim . © Schreiner Group


page 18/37

Knochenplatten Titan

Kniegelenk

Stents

Solutions for

precision surfaces in

medical technology

Knochenplatte

Kniegelenke

OTEC Präzisionsfinish GmbH combines

Mass Finishing and Electro Finishing techniques

to process surgical instruments,

implants, prostheses, stents, impellers for

heart pumps, and components made from

titanium, CoCr, plastics, and 3D-printed

materials. OTEC offers innovative surface

treatment processes for medical technology

and dental products, meeting the highest

standards of precision, repeatability, and

cost efficiency. By integrating mechanical

methods such as stream finishing, drag

finishing, and disc finishing with Electro

Finishing, OTEC sets new benchmarks for

quality and process reliability.

Advantages of mass finishing in medical

technology

Mass Finishing brings numerous benefits,

making it an essential method for surface

processing of medical components:

– Reproducible Precision

Ensures consistent, homogeneous

surface treatment for high quality.

– Gentle Processing

Avoids material deformation or

microcracks that may occur with

manual handling.

– Efficient Deburring and Polishing

Smoothly removes burrs and sharp edges,

leaving even surfaces.

– Optimized Surface Roughness

(Ra values)

Creates hygienic surfaces that minimize

bacterial adhesion on implants or surgical

tools.

– Automation Potential

Highly efficient for serial production

with consistent results.

– Suitable for Delicate Components

Ideal for intricate designs and complex

geometries such as bone screws or

catheter components.

The smoothing of surfaces plays a critical

role in reducing microscopic roughness, limiting

contamination and germ adhesion.

The biocompatibility of medical implants

and instruments is preserved, as the process

prevents material alterations. Removing

burrs and surface defects also enhances

corrosion resistance, minimizing the risk of

degradation while improving the durability

of components. Besides functional advantages,

this method also offers aesthetic benefits.

Homogeneous, polished surfaces improve

the visual quality while fostering trust

in medical devices. Automation further ensures

consistent quality, reduces processing

times, and minimizes manual reworking,

enhancing efficiency and lowering production

costs.

Advantages of electro finishing in medical

technology

Electro Finishing elevates surface quality to

a new level, offering exceptional advantages:

– Perfect Smoothing and High-Gloss

Polishing

Eliminates microscopic roughness,

improving biocompatibility.

– No Material Loss at Critical Points

Enables selective processing without

dimensional changes.


page 19/37

– Retention of Cutting Performance

Maintains the sharpness of surgical instruments.

– No Abrasive Contact

Prevents mechanical stress, making it

ideal for sensitive components.

– Access to Hard-to-Reach Areas

Suitable for treating complex internal

contours, such as in minimally invasive

instruments.

Microscopically smooth surfaces improve

hygiene by reducing contamination and

ensuring easier cleaning. Enhanced corrosion

resistance results from chemical passivation,

which shields metal surfaces from

oxidation and chemical damage. Simultaneously,

high-gloss surfaces enhance perceived

quality. By combining mechanical

processing and Electro Finishing, rework

is minimized, waste is reduced, and overall

production costs decrease, creating a clear

economic advantage.

Surgical drills – Precision, burr-free,

and hygienic

The production of surgical drills made of

stainless steel demands precise deburring to

ensure functionality and safety. Traditional

manual processes are time-consuming and

unreliable, often resulting in high rejection

rates. OTEC’s SF-Series delivers reproducible

results and short cycle times using

pulse finishing technology. Complementary

Electro Finishing with the EF-Series further

smooths drill surfaces and removes microscopic

irregularities. Key benefits include:

– Maximum sharpness and burr-free edges,

preserving cutting performance.

– Optimized cleaning through chemically

smoothed surfaces for easier removal of

tissue and blood, improving hygiene and

extending tool life.

– Increased corrosion resistance thanks to

passivated stainless steel surfaces resistant

to cleaning agents and sterilization.

Bone screws and plates

For bone screws requiring sharp, burr-free

edges and smooth surfaces, Mass Finishing

ensures excellent results and can be enhanced

with Electro Finishing for high-quality

needs. The extended process chain removes

microscopic peaks, prevents bacterial adhesion,

and simplifies sterilization.

For bone plates, where strong edge

rounding and a homogeneous surface are

required, Mass Finishing combined with

electrofinishing achieves flawless surfaces.

This improves fit and allows implants to be

integrated stress-free into the body.

Implants – Surfaces for

maximum functionality

The lifespan of medical implants significantly

depends on surface quality. Specific

requirements such as smooth contact areas

or high-gloss surfaces demand tailored processing

solutions. High-Gloss polished joint

implants: Hip and knee implants benefit

from OTEC Mass Finishing, which removes

machining marks and achieves surface

roughness values of up to Ra = 0.01 μm. Electro

Finishing complements the process by

eliminating micro-scratches, creating highgloss,

biocompatible surfaces that:

– Reduce abrasion.

– Increase glide performance.

– Prolong implant durability.

Complex prostheses

For linked knee prostheses with intricate internal

geometries, OTEC technologies provide

ideal solutions:

– Mass Finishing efficiently processes hard-

to-reach areas through controlled motion

and specific workpiece angles.

– Electro Finishing smooths complex geometries,

enhances resistance to external

factors, and improves the sliding

properties of contact areas

Automation – Efficiency

through advanced technology

OTEC’s SF-Series machines enable high

efficiency with optional robotic loading systems

for seamless integration into production

lines. Future automation within Electro

Finishing processes will further support the

treatment of large volumes with consistently

high quality.

Stents – Smooth surfaces for

optimal biocompatibility

Stent processing requires unmatched precision

and smooth surfaces to optimize

blood flow dynamics and biocompatibility.

OTEC’s Electro Finishing solution efficiently

processes both metallic and polymer-based

stents:

– Burr-free edges Electro Finishing ensures

the gentle removal of burrs that can occur

during the manufacturing process.

– Smoothed surfaces The process also

removes microscopic irregularities and

creates a mirrorsmooth surface that reduces

platelet adhesion.

– Increased longevity via enhanced surface

resistance, critical in corrosive bodily environments.

Impeller – Precision for vital applications

Heart pump impellers demand strict compliance

with requirements for precision,

functionality, and biocompatibility. OTEC

provides tailored methods for processing

these complex components:


page 20/37

– Precision geometries – Drag Finishing

ensures meticulous treatment of intricate

designs like impeller blades.

– Improved surface quality – Electro Finishing

creates smooth, polished surfaces to

optimize blood flow and prevent deposits.

– Comprehensive safety – the combination

of OTEC processes ensures precision

without material weakening, guaranteeing

stability and functionality.

OTEC technologies enable the serial

processing of impellers to consistently high

standards, ensuring the reliable operation of

heart pumps.

Processing of special materials

in medical technology

Titanium and COCR

Titanium and cobalt-chromium alloys

(CoCr) are critical in medical technology

due to their biocompatibility, durability, and

mechanical strength. However, they present

unique challenges in processing. OTEC offers

specialized solutions for precise and

burr-free results:

Titanium: Electro Finishing reduces

roughness and produces chemically stable,

smooth surfaces ideal for in-body use.

CoCr: This hard, wear-resistant material

benefits from a tailored combination

of Drag Finishing and Electro Finishing for

even, high-gloss surfaces, essential for joint

implants and prostheses.

3D-printed components

Additive manufacturing (3D printing) offers

new possibilities in medical technology but

requires extensive post-processing due to

layer lines and rough surfaces. OTEC provides

customized solutions to address these

challenges:

– Mass Finishing: Ideal for complex

geometries commonly found in 3Dprinted

implants or prostheses. Precisely

controlled processing smooths surfaces

without altering geometry.

– Electro Finishing: Creates mirror-like

finishes, enhancing functionality,

biocompatibility, and cleanliness. This

method is particularly beneficial for 3Dprinted

stents and implants, extending

their service life.

The processing of titanium, CoCr, and 3Dprinted

materials demonstrates how OTEC

leverages innovative technologies to meet

the diverse requirements of the medical

technology sector.

OTEC Präzisionsfinish GmbH

D 75334 Straubenhardt

Alles für Ihren Reinraum

aus einer Hand

Bekleidung & Handschuhe

Tücher & Swaps

Reinigungsgeräte- & mittel

Dispenser

Partikelmessgeräte

Staubbindematten

HANS J. MICHAEL GmbH, Hart 11, 71554 Weissach im Tal

hjm-reinraum.de | Tel. 07191/9105-0 | office@hjm-reinraum.de

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

The GMP-compliant RX 4.0 thermoformer packaging machine sets new standards in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries. © MULTIVAC

Innovative solution for medical and pharmaceutical products

MULTIVAC packaging line

with six-axis kinematics for the

first time

With the GMP-compliant RX 4.0 thermoformer packaging

machine, MULTIVAC is setting new standards in the medical

and pharmaceutical industry. For the first time, a Yaskawa

six-axis robot, also GMP-compliant, is used at the end

of the line. This brings many advantages, but in particular a

decisive plus in flexibility.

The MULTIVAC Group, based in Wolfertschwenden, Germany, has

made a name for itself with application-specific packaging solutions

in the pharmaceutical, medical and food industries. The portfolio

of the company, which was founded in 1961 and has around 7,400

employees, includes various packaging technologies, automation

solutions, labeling and inspection systems and, last but not least, packaging

materials.

The growing demands for process accuracy and reproducibility

in the medical and pharmaceutical industries when packaging sensitive

products prompted MULTIVAC to develop a thermoformer

packaging machine that meets the increased requirements of customers,

the market and legislation. At the same time, the RX 4.0 machine

has succeeded in reducing throughput times and maximizing

production efficiency and flexibility.

Premiere: Use of a GMP-compliant six-axis robot

Yaskawa‘s HD series impresses with its reduced kinematics,

which offers decisive advantages in the pharmaceutical and

medical sectors. © MULTIVAC

A new feature of the packaging machine is the use of a six-axis robot

suitable for the medical and pharmaceutical sectors, the first

time MULTIVAC has used a third-party product. „Developing our

own six-axis kinematics would not have made sense with our existing

product range. That is why we decided in favor of a robot from

Yaskawa,“ explains Wolfgang Buchenberg, Senior Director Technics

Solutions at MULTIVAC.

A look at how the machine works explains why the packaging

specialist favored six-axis kinematics for the new machine. The products

to be packaged are placed by a SCARA robot, a MULTIVAC

in-house development, into thermoformed pack cavities formed by

the thermoformer packaging machine in the first step. The RX 4.0

handles the remaining primary packaging processes, including sealing

the bottom film with a top film that is printed inline in multiple

colors before sealing. This is followed by visual inspection of the

print image and separation of the packs by means of a full cut.

Six axes for even more flexibility

At the output of the thermoformer packaging machine, the packs are

removed directly from the cutting unit and separated by the Yaskawa

robot. Wolfgang Buchenberg explains why the use of a six-axis robot

is the best choice here: „Using the MOTOMAN HD7 has decisive


page 22/37

advantages, especially in terms of flexibility. We can unload using

single or multiple picks. In our demo system, for example, we use

a five-pick vacuum gripper. Packs can also be separated on moving

conveyors or at defined stationary positions. And thanks to the six

axes, we have no limitations in terms of access to positions and can

handle many different formats.

MULTIVAC‘s decision to use Yaskawa six-axis robots in its

thermoforming packaging machines was not an easy one. On the

contrary: In a detailed market study, those responsible analyzed the

range of cleanroom robots offered by the five largest manufacturers,

compared them on the basis of a complex requirements profile and

made a well-founded decision.

A European development for all types of cleanrooms

The MOTOMAN HD7 is suitable for use in cleanrooms up to the highest

GMP class A. © MULTIVAC

The MOTOMAN HD7 removes and deposits the packs at the output of

the thermoformer packagine machine. © MULTIVAC

In principle, unloading can be based on single or multiple picks; the

demo system uses a quintuple vacuum gripper. © MULTIVAC

The winner of the selection process was the MOTOMAN HD7 from

Japanese supplier Yaskawa. This high-performance robot is a new

European development for sensitive applications, created in close

cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering

and Automation IPA. Like its bigger brother, the MOTO-

MAN HD8, the MOTOMAN HD7 is suitable for use in cleanrooms

from class ISO 5 up to the highest GMP class A. It therefore fulfills

the requirements that MULTIVAC places on the cleanroom suitability

of its robots in every respect.

But the GMP-compliant and cleanroom-compatible design was

only one of many aspects that influenced the decision in favor of

Yaskawa. Wolfgang Buchenberg comments: „For MULTIVAC, the

issue of control technology and integration is also of crucial importance.

The Yaskawa ‚MotoLogix‘ software interface allows MOTO-

MAN kinematics, including cobots, to be seamlessly integrated into

the MULTIVAC control and software platform, which also ensures

centralized line operation from a single source for six-axis robots.

The Yaskawa HD series also features a reduced kinematics design,

which offers significant advantages in the pharmaceutical and

medical sectors. The routing of cables and connections within the

arm, low particle generation and FDA compliance ensure the necessary

customer acceptance and facilitate key requirements such as

easy cable routing.

Setting new standards: the RX 4.0 thermoformer

packaging machine

All in all, with the new RX 4.0 thermoformer packagine machine

and the first-time integration of a Yaskawa six-axis machine, MUL-

TIVAC has succeeded in launching a customized solution for the

pharmaceutical and medical sector. This solution is equally suitable

for applications in primary, secondary and tertiary packaging. Sterile

medical products such as implants, catheters, sutures, needles and

pharmaceutical syringes, vials, ampoules, pens, injectors and combinations

thereof can be packaged reliably, economically and sustainably

in small and large batches with the RX 4.0.

„With this line and its end-to-end sensor-controlled packaging

process, we are achieving a new level of process accuracy and reproducibility.

Thanks to consistent data acquisition and evaluation,

the machine can parameterize itself close to the optimum operating

point and automatically correct itself in the event of deviations from

the target. In addition, we can optimally meet the requirements of

the medical and pharmaceutical industry thanks to the simple operation,

fast changeover, optimized sealing process and the first-time

use of the Yaskawa robot,“ says Wolfgang Buchenberg.

YASKAWA Europe GmbH

D 85391 Allershausen


page 23/37

Latest MES release helps pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturers

simplify system management, improve flexibility and speed time-to-value.

Rockwell Automation Launches

PharmaSuite 12.00 to Accelerate

Secure, Scalable Deployments

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world’s largest

company dedicated to industrial automation and digital

transformation, today announced the launch of FactoryTalk®

PharmaSuite® 12.00. The latest release of its manufacturing

execution system (MES) is designed to support

the unique needs of regulated pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical

manufacturing environments, helping companies

simplify system management, accelerate deployments

and scale production more efficiently.

As the industry seeks to move faster while ensuring compliance,

BioPhorum has noted that current MES solutions are often perceived

as expensive, slow to implement and lacking flexibility required

for modern operations. PharmaSuite 12.00 directly addresses these

pain points, providing a simplified, configurable and future-ready

platform for regulated life sciences production.

The latest release introduces a modular architecture and new

cloud-ready capabilities, providing manufacturers with increased

agility to help meet rapidly evolving production demands. It also features

enhanced cybersecurity to support the stringent compliance

and data integrity standards required in regulated life sciences environments.

„PharmaSuite 12.00 represents a major step forward in helping

life sciences manufacturers embrace modular, digital production

while maintaining the highest standards of performance, availability,

compliance and security,“ said Martin Petrick, business manager,

MES at Rockwell Automation. „With the flexibility to deploy in the

cloud, on-premises or in hybrid models, manufacturers can scale

operations faster, simplify global rollouts and reduce the time and

cost validation.“

Key new features in FactoryTalk PharmaSuite 12.00 include:

– Cloud-Based Deployment: Now runs in Kubernetes using Linux

containers, making setup and maintenance faster and more reliable

– New Setup Tool (MICKA): Automates installation and validation

steps to reduce manual effort in regulated environments

– Modular Design: Containerized components make it easy to scale

across sites and standardize system deployments

– Built-in Monitoring: Centralized tools help detect issues early

and speed up troubleshooting

– Strong Cybersecurity: Built using certified secure development

practices to meet industry standards

– Easier Upgrades: A new upgrade engine helps keep systems

current with the latest features and security updates

FactoryTalk PharmaSuite 12.00 builds on more than 15 years of continuous

development and industry expertise. With this release, Rockwell

continues to provide pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical

manufacturers with a modern, regulatory-compliant MES platform

that supports scalable production, rapid deployment and digital

transformation goals.

Rockwell Automation GmbH

D 40468 Düsseldorf


page 24/37

NY CREATES and Fraunhofer Institute

Announce Joint Development

Agreement to Advance Memory Devices

at the 300mm Wafer Scale

NY CREATES and Fraunhofer IPMS announced at a signing ceremony a new Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to drive

research and development focused on memory devices. The JDA will leverage and link the strengths of each organization

to engineer, develop, and characterize these devices that are critical for advancing the memory development ecosystems of

each respective organization.

„As we build upon the strong connections, we have with semiconductor

R&D centers around the globe to create the technologies that

the U.S. and the world will rely on in the future, we look forward to

this collaboration with Fraunhofer IPMS to further develop next-generation

ferroelectric memory devices at the 300mm scale,“ said

Dave Anderson, President of NY CREATES. „We are proud to work

together to accelerate the processes and the evaluation and deployment

of these materials which can lead to innovative breakthroughs,

maintaining our global R&D leadership.”

„With the Center Nanoelectronic Technologies (CNT), Fraunhofer

IPMS maintains a leading international competence center for

the development of ferroelectric memories based on hafnium oxide

(HfO₂). These memory technologies are particularly promising for

neuromorphic computing applications as they are very energy efficient,

CMOS compatible and scalable down to very small technology

nodes. We look forward to working with NY CREATES to develop

new promising memory designs based on the expertise of both

parties,” said Dr. Wenke Weinreich, Deputy Director of Fraunhofer

IPMS.

Leaders from the New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement,

Technology, Engineering, and Science (NY CREATES),

based in Albany, N.Y., and the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems

IPMS, based in Dresden, Germany, formalized the JDA

with a ceremonial signing by NY CREATES Vice President of Strategies,

Partnerships, & New Ventures and Chief Operating Officer Paul

Kelly and Fraunhofer IPMS Deputy Director Dr. Wenke Weinreich at

NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex on May 15, with a number

of dignitaries from New York State and Germany in attendance. NY

CREATES and Fraunhofer IPMS will embark on a joint development

project for the co-development of advanced memory devices built

at the 300mm wafer scale, the platform upon which chips are made.

In May of 2023, representatives from Fraunhofer IPMS met with

counterparts at NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex, the largest

non-profit semiconductor research and development facility

in North America. There, Dr. Weinreich signed a Memorandum of

Understanding between the two organizations and in the presence

of Saxony‘s Minister President Michael Kretschmer with the aim of

further advancing economic prosperity through innovation in both

regions.

In October 2024, NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex was

designated as the location of the flagship National Semiconductor

Technology Center facility, the CHIPS for America EUV Accelerator.

The EUV Accelerator is expected to drive significant R&D based on

Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, underpinning U.S. technological

leadership and economic and national security.

Fraunhofer-Institut für Photonische

Mikrosysteme IPMS, D 01109 Dresden

Dr. Wenke Weinreich, stellvertretende Institutsleiterin des Fraunhofer IPMS und NY CREATES‘ Vice President of Strategies,

Partnerships, & New Ventures und Chief Operating Officer Paul Kelly. © NY Creates


page 25/37

Gerresheimer Successfully Completes

Investment in State-of-the-Art Glass

Production Facility in Lohr

– New oxy-hybrid furnace reduces CO2e emissions by up to 40%

– Latest production technology and environmentally friendly cooling system

– Capacity expansion to support planned growth

– Total investment volume of approximately 100 million euros

Gerresheimer, an innovative systems and solutions provider and global partner for the pharma, biotech and cosmetics industries,

has successfully completed an expansion and modernization project at its Lohr site with a total investment volume

of around EUR 100 million after more than two years of planning and construction. The core of the project was the replacement

of one of the two glass melting furnaces with a state-of-the-art oxy-hybrid furnace. The new furnace offers increased

capacity, can operate with up to 50% electricity, and reduces CO2e emissions by up to 40% compared to conventional

furnace technology. The project also included infrastructure measures for the power supply, the expansion of production

buildings, new production machines and a new environmentally friendly cooling system. The modernization and expansion

project at the Lohr site is one of Gerresheimer‘s largest investments in Moulded Glass in recent years. With this project,

Gerresheimer is strengthening its competitive position as an innovative systems and solutions provider and as a reliable,

future-proof employer in the region.

“Our investments in cutting-edge production technology, such as

the new facility in Lohr, secure the future,” explains Dietmar Siemssen,

CEO of Gerresheimer AG. “With state-of-the-art facilities for

high-value products, we are strengthening our competitiveness, securing

long-term jobs in the region and making significant progress

toward our ambitious sustainability goals.”

New oxy-hybrid furnace for enhanced efficiency

and sustainability

Industrial glass production furnaces are usually replaced every 8

to 12 years. Gerresheimer has used the planned replacement of the

white glass furnace in Lohr to upgrade to the latest technology and

expand production capacity to support its planned growth. The new

furnace can operate with up to 50% electricity. This diversifies the

energy supply and reduces CO2e emissions by up to 40% compared

to conventional furnace technology. Currently, the Lohr site sources

approximately 70% of its electricity from renewable energy, with

plans to increase this share to 100% by 2030. Modernization also includes

an upgrade to the cooling system: the new adiabatic cooling

technology is more energy-efficient and consumes less water than

conventional cooling systems, further supporting the company’s

sustainability goals.

Additional infrastructure upgrades

and new production facilities

The project was meticulously planned and executed by Gerresheimer

experts over more than two years and implemented during ongoing

operations. Amber glass production continued without interruption

at the site. To meet increased electricity demand, new power lines

were installed and new supply buildings constructed. The expansion

also involved a new cooling system and the expansion of production

halls. The actual furnace replacement, including the dismantling of

the old furnace and construction of the new oxy-hybrid furnace, took

place from January 2025 and was completed within four months. Se-

Gerresheimer invested around €100 million in an expansion and modernization

project at its Lohr site, including a new state-of-the-art furnace.

The first production run after replacing the melting furnace

with a state-of-the-art oxy-hybrid melting furnace.


page 26/37

veral production lines were also upgraded to the latest generation and

equipped with Gerresheimer’s AI-based inspection system for quality

assurance. This technology will enable the Lohr plant to further increase

its share of high-value products in the future.

Investment supporting further growth

At the Moulded Glass plant in Lohr, Gerresheimer produces a wide

range of glass products made of white and amber glass with around

500 employees from syrup, dropper, tablet and infusion bottles for

the pharmaceutical industry to glass containers and bottles for the

food and beverage industry. The plant in Lohr is one of three Moulded

Glass plants in Germany and one of eight Moulded Glass plants

worldwide within the Gerresheimer Group. The modernization and

expansion project at the Lohr site is one of the company‘s key investment

projects in recent years for the further profitable growth

of the Group.

Gerresheimer AG

D 40468 Düsseldorf

Cleanroom microbiology expert adds new locking lid plate options to Redipor

prepared media range - available from Cherwell and AnalytiChem

Cherwell launches Redipor® TwistLock

plates to enhance sample security in

microbial environmental monitoring

Cherwell (an Analytichem company), cleanroom microbiology solutions

expert, has introduced a new range of plated prepared media

designed to deliver sample security, data integrity, and optimised

workflow in microbial monitoring. Cherwell’s new Redipor® Twist-

Lock plates feature a secure locking lid and side-label with a GS1

DataMatrix barcode to enhance contamination protection, improve

traceability and support automation, ensuring environmental monitoring

(EM) meets exacting industry standards.

The addition of Redipor TwistLock plate options alongside standard

plates in Cherwell’s broad range of Redipor prepared media

products, supports a shift in pharmaceutical and associated industries

towards more standardised, traceable, and risk-based microbial

EM. The new locking lid plates - which are also available globally

within AnalytiChem’s Redipor portfolio - align with GMP Annex 1

and ICH Q9 principles, offering benefits in terms of contamination

control, regulatory compliance, and operational resilience.

Sample security is ensured by the secure seal on the plate enabled

by TwistLock technology, preventing contamination and protecting

sample integrity when transporting within and between

facilities. Designed to deliver data integrity and reliability, Redipor

Cherwell’s new Redipor® TwistLock plates feature a secure locking lid

and side-label with GS1 data matrix to enhance contamination protection,

improve traceability and support automation.

TwistLock plates maintain the highest standards of data accuracy

and traceability supported by GS1 barcodes on side-labels. They also

support automated colony counting, plus integration with LIMS and

electronic batch records. Additionally, the plates’ user-friendly design

aids laboratory workflow efficiencies as they streamline handling,

reduce errors and minimise costly retesting.

Like Cherwell’s standard Redipor prepared media plates, Redipor

TwistLock plates are available triple-wrapped and gamma irradiated

in Petri and contact plate formats to guarantee sterility and

extend shelf-life to six months. Bespoke options are also available - a

key offering of Cherwell’s Redipor range is the ability to customise to

user needs in terms of differing media formulations, fill volumes and

packaging formats.

As the UK prepared media manufacturing site for AnalytiChem,

Cherwell is ensuring security of local supply to the pharmaceutical

and medical manufacturing market. Expanding direct supply globally,

within the Analytichem global group, Redipor TwistLock plates

will also be manufactured in the U.S. and mainland Europe, in the

Netherlands. This gives manufacturers choice in plated media for

sampling when EM protocols may require use of locking lid plates as

an alternative to standard plates.

“As a trusted supplier to the pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing

industry we are always endeavouring to best understand

our customers’ needs and flexibly offer the products that fit their

requirements – including bespoke options,” said Yoggya De Silva,

Microbiology Product Specialist, Cherwell. “Meeting Annex 1 and

other key regulatory requirements by ensuring data integrity and reducing

contamination risk in sterile product manufacturing processes

is one such key need. The launch of our new locking lid Redipor

TwistLock prepared media plates provides an answer to the demand

for ever-increasing vigilance, and building resilient and reliable microbial

EM programmes.”

Cherwell Laboratories Ltd

OX26 4XB BICESTER

Vereinigtes Königreich


page 27/37

N 760 blister packaging machine by Romaco Noack

Romaco at PCI Days in Warsaw, Poland

VENTILUS® Pilot fluid bed

processor by Romaco Innojet

Premiere for the Noack N 760

blister packaging machine

The N 760 blister packaging machine from Romaco Noack will be making its trade

fair debut at this year’s PCI Days in Warsaw, Poland. Romaco, the one stop solutions

supplier, will also be presenting innovative processing technologies that

set new standards when it comes to granulating, drying, coating and tableting oral

solid dosage forms.

This is the first time that Romaco will be

showing the new Noack N 760 platen sealing

blister machine at a trade fair. At the

upcoming PCI Days in Warsaw, Poland, this

compact standalone machine will manufacture

recyclable blister packs from PET

mono-material.

Romaco will additionally be presenting

more key technologies along the pharmaceutical

process chain, such as the VENTI-

LUS® Pilot fluid bed processor from Romaco

Innojet and the KTP 420X C containment

tablet press from Romaco Kilian. The one

stop supplier’s solutions for manufacturing

and packaging oral solid dosage forms are

offered as standalone machines or as fully

integrated pharmaceutical lines. They ship

in a variety of configurations and performance

classes from laboratory-scale models

to high-volume production equipment and

high-speed packaging lines.

All Romaco technologies share the

same focus on sustainable system design

and are therefore ideal for energy-efficient

production processes that make sparing use

of resources, hence reducing the carbon

footprint of the end products. In 2024, Romaco

was awarded its first-ever gold medal

in the EcoVadis sustainability ratings for its

commitment to climate protection.

N 760 blister packaging machine

by Romaco Noack

The N 760 from Romaco Noack is an intermittent

motion blister packaging machine in

balcony design for universal use. It is perfect

for packaging a very broad range of products

from solid dosage forms, ampoules and medical

devices to semi-solids. Blisters with a

maximum forming area of 155 x 138 mm and

a maximum forming depth of 25 mm can be

produced in this way. Product changes can

be carried out quickly and easily, because

only a very few compact and lightweight

format parts need to be replaced and all

parameters are electronically stored. The

N 760 has an exceptionally space-saving

layout and is easy to operate, fulfilling all of

the requirements of the contract packaging

sector, which needs to respond quickly and

flexibly at any time to dynamic market situations.

With a maximum output of up to 200

blisters per minute, the technology is mainly

deployed to produce smaller batch sizes

in the low to medium speed segment. The

product feeding unit is available in different

configurations and is either manual or fully

automatic, for example when used with

high-tech systems for demanding products

or multi-dose blisters. The electrical cabi-

net can be swung out, meaning the N 760

is readily accessible for maintenance work.

Furthermore, the extremely short foil web

from the forming station to the die-cutter

restricts the amount of waste while running

in and retooling the machine to a minimum.

Last but not least, the Romaco Noack N 760

blister packaging machine can be optionally

connected to a cartoner and a case packer.

Romaco will be taking advantage of PCI

Days to demonstrate how the Noack N 760

blister packaging machine manufactures

blister packs from recyclable mono-material

supplied by Liveo Research. The forming

and lidding foils for these blisters are both

made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate),

which is a sustainable choice for the primary

packaging of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.

Where products are currently

packaged in PVC/aluminum blisters, the

PET/PET blisters provide equivalent barrier

properties to their PVC/aluminum counterparts.

Kilian KTP 420X C containment press

The containment version of Romaco Kilian’s

KTP 420X C rotary tablet press fulfills

all requirements for processing active pharmaceutical

ingredients up to OEB Level 3

with medium toxicological potency. This includes

numerous medications, for example

for treating hypertension, ventricular ulcers

or bronchial asthma. The containment tablet

press is configured with a Restricted Access

Barrier System (RABS) featuring glove

ports to protect the operator as well as a

Rapid Transfer Port (RTP) for contaminati-


page 28/37

KTP 420X C containment tablet press

by Romaco Kilian

on-free material transfer. Negative pressure

in the compaction area and electric door

locks as well as dust-tight docking systems

and a dust-tight tablet chute moreover ensure

GMP compliance. The efficient implementation

of high-quality containment

processes is additionally supported by the

proven hygienic design of the KTP 420X

C. The hermetical separation between the

compaction and technical areas prevents

tablet dust from entering the mechanical

compartment. The compaction area itself

is designed as a deep-drawn, single-piece

run-off containment with polished surfaces

and large radii, so that far less effort is

necessary for cleaning. Protective clothing

is only required for cleaning the press and

is not essential during production. The very

good OEE (overall equipment effectiveness)

and extremely low TCO (total cost of ownership)

are key characteristics of the Romaco

Kilian KTP 420X C. With a maximum output

of 475,200 tablets per hour, the technology

is classed as a high-speed press for containment

applications.

VENTILUS® Pilot fluid bed processor

from Romaco Innojet

The VENTILUS® Pilot fluid bed processor

from Romaco Innojet is a mobile allrounder

for pilot scale applications or small batches.

The technology impresses with excellent

results in terms of flow properties as well

as powder and granulate compressibility.

Mounted on four wheels, this compact machine

fits through any standard door frame

and is designed for plug and play installa-

tion. An all-in-one solution intended for

batch sizes from 4 to 25 liters, it granulates,

dries or coats particles of any size from 10

μm to 2 mm. The technology meets all the

requirements for laboratory use as well as for

GMP-compliant production of clinical samples.

The spray liquid is applied optionally

according to the conventional top spray

method or using a bottom spray system with

a central nozzle – either the ROTOJET® or

the new FLEXIJET®. The latter was specifically

developed for granulation processes

and is not only very easy to handle, but also

quick to clean. The cylindrical container

featuring the ORBITER® booster permits

controlled, gentle batch intermixing. The

homogeneous flow conditions improve

product quality and reduce the spray liquid

consumption while simplifying scale-ups.

In addition, the VENTILUS® Pilot is suited

for hot melt coating processes, which merely

requires connection of the patented Innojet

IHD hot melt system. The processing time is

consequently up to 85 percent shorter and

the processor’s carbon footprint is significantly

lower.

Romaco Group

D 76227 Karlsruhe

WEIL STANDARD IM REINRAUM NICHT GENÜGT!

Entwickelt, um die anspruchsvollsten Anforderungen der Pharmaindustrie zu erfüllen – robust, ergonomisch und leistungsstark.

Der PILOT der 3. Generation verbindet modernstes Design mit maximaler Zuverlässigkeit – LIFE SCIENCE READY.

Edles Design und

Langlebigkeit

Modularer

Aufbau

Ex-Zulassung

nach ATEX/IECEx*

*In Zertifizierung für Zone 2/22

Schutzart

IP66 + IP67

Für mehr Informationen

den QR-Code sannen oder

www.systec-solutions.com

besuchen.


Laser World 2025: technotrans showcases

future-proof cooling systems

with R290 and flexible OEM solutions

– Expansion of the PRO300.chiller series with natural refrigerant

– Compact and flexible: Peltier systems and p1000/24V liquid cooling units as integrable OEM assemblies

– Customised solutions for high purity requirements in the semiconductor industry

At this year’s Laser World of Photonics, technotrans will present its comprehensive

portfolio of thermal management solutions for laser applications in medical

technology. The highlight of the trade fair presentation is the extended PRO300.

chiller series for 19-inch rack systems. These systems use the environmentally

friendly refrigerant R290 and offer users a future-proof solution in view of tightening

regulations in Europe and the USA. In addition, the company will showcase

its precise Peltier coolers as well as p1000/24V liquid cooling units as OEM assemblies

for optimal integration into various laser applications. Thanks to cleanroom

production, technotrans also provides solutions for demanding application

areas such as the semiconductor and medical technology sectors.

those of the European F-Gas Regulation or

the US EPA directives. This provides customers

with global planning and investment

security. In addition, the chillers feature

precise temperature control with a stability

of < ±0.1 K, the modern ZKS-5 controller

with clear-text display, and a wide range of

communication interfaces (RS485 standard

and Ethernet).

Reliable, precise, and flexible integration

pe0040 Mini-Tower Kühllösung (Copyright:

Roman Walder)

Kompakter Laborkühler piko_HP (Copyright: technotrans SE)

“technotrans serves the specific requirements

of the laser industry with futureproof

and energy-efficient thermal management

systems,” says Denis Roessel, Business

Development Manager at technotrans

systems GmbH. “We offer tailored solutions

with high temperature stability for every

type of laser. At the same time, we actively

support our customers in switching to natural

refrigerants to ensure long-term legal

compliance.”

At its booth, the thermal management

specialist will showcase the extended

PRO300 series, now consistently available

in sizes from 4 to 12 height units (HU) as both

air- and water-cooled versions. All devices

in the series are designed for the use of the

eco-friendly, natural refrigerant R290. With

a particularly low GWP (Global Warming

Potential) value of 0.02, they already meet

upcoming regulatory requirements such as

Also on display are compact Peltier cooling

systems: they enable precise, low-vibration

temperature control without any refrigerant,

making them ideal for particularly sensitive

measurement environments or laboratory

applications. The Peltier units are flexibly

available as 19-inch rack modules or as benchtop

versions. Flexibility is also at the heart

of the p1000/24V series. Based on advanced

miniature compressor technology, these devices

deliver high cooling performance in a

very small footprint. They are available not

only as compact stand-alone solutions, but

also as highly integrable OEM assemblies.

This enables space-saving and individual

integration into a wide range of customer

applications.

Another key topic at the trade fair is

technotrans’ enhanced capabilities for applications

with the highest purity requirements.

With cleanroom production capacities

conforming to ISO Class 7, technotrans

is able to develop thermal management solutions

that meet the stringent requirements

of technologically advanced sectors such as

the semiconductor industry. “This capability

is crucial in supporting our customers in

high-tech markets and providing them with

decisive advantages in terms of energy efficiency

and precise temperature control,”

Roessel emphasises.

technotrans SE

D 48336 Sassenberg


page 30/37

Solutions for safe, efficient, and

high-purity automation applications

With its test marks, Fraunhofer IPA

has already tested and certified

over 2,500 products and materials

worldwide for their cleanliness and

cleanroom suitability.

© Fraunhofer IPA/Photo: Rainer Bez

At this year’s Automatica trade fair, the Fraunhofer Institute

for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA showcased

numerous solutions that – thanks in part to artificial

intelligence (AI) – greatly simplify and accelerate the planning,

programming, and training of robots.

Whether in the production hall, cleanroom, or laboratory, robots and

other automation components are now used everywhere, primarily

to assist with repetitive, physically demanding, or dangerous tasks.

However, it often takes much time to install, program, and set them

up. The big goal is therefore “automation of automation.” This means

that setup and implementation with suitable tools is much more

automated than before, saving time and money.

From June 24 to 27, 2025, Fraunhofer IPA was presenting a whole

range of solutions at Automatica in Munich that also use AI technologies

to massively simplify and accelerate the planning, programming,

and training of robots by (partially) automating these processes.

A software framework for all machines and systems

Scientists led by David Breunig from the research team “IT Architectures

for Production” at Fraunhofer IPA have developed a software

framework that enables companies to automate their entire production.

This could render programmable logic controllers (PLCs) obsolete,

which currently control the operation of machines and systems

and are installed in large numbers in factories. “Anyone who buys a

PLC from an established manufacturer today is making themselves

dependent on that manufacturer’s hardware, development environment,

and programming language,” says Breunig, “and that’s exactly

what we want to change with our software framework.”

To demonstrate how this software-defined automation works,

Breunig and his team have built a demonstrator that shows how the

framework works and how it can be used. Visitors to Automatica

could use it to learn about the individual modules of the software

framework on screen and create or optimize their own automation

projects.

Together with three colleagues, Breunig plans to start his own

business with the software framework. Their start-up, retavi GmbH,

will officially begin operations at the end of this year.

Flexible, intelligent mobile manipulators

2ndSCIN® is a protective enclosure for robots and other

automation components intended for use in clean rooms.


Humanoid robots are currently receiving a lot of attention in the media

and will also play a major role at Automatica. However, according

to a study by Fraunhofer IPA as part of the AI Innovation Center

“Learning Systems and Cognitive Robotics”, many companies have

little interest in robots that can walk like humans. Instead, the experts

surveyed see the greatest potential in humanoids being able to

grasp objects with the same flexibility as humans. This is precisely

where a current development from Fraunhofer IPA comes in. Due

to the many degrees of freedom of a robot hand, it is not efficient to

program robots extensively for these gripping tasks. To address this,

Fraunhofer IPA is researching approaches for the fast and intuitive

teaching of complex gripping and handling movements.

Grasping processes can be taught in simulation and with deep


page 31/37

reinforcement learning, for example. The focus is not only on controlling

robot hands, but also on intuitively instructing and teaching

new applications for fully flexible robot systems – including mobile

multi-purpose platforms with multiple arms and grippers. Modern

methods such as imitation learning and so-called foundation models

are used for this purpose. Natural language instructions, teleoperated

executions, and human-demonstrated sequences are used

to efficiently teach robot skills.

The demonstrator at the booth provided practical insight into

selected aspects of the technology and showed examples of how

central ideas from current research can be transferred into application.

In addition, visitors had the opportunity to learn more about

the challenges of current imitation learning methods and foundation

models, as well as how a hybrid approach can close existing gaps

in a targeted manner by combining proven, parameterizable robot

capabilities with learning-based methods.

Flexible laboratory robotics for handling and dispensing liquids

The prevailing shortage of skilled workers also affects laboratories

and medical facilities. Existing staff spend a large part of their daily

working time on monotonous routine tasks that delay higher-value,

value-adding activities. Automation solutions are therefore in high

demand in this environment. However, an off-the-shelf system is

usually unsuitable because the tasks and objects to be handled are so

diverse. Fraunhofer IPA is therefore developing a customizable software

kit for autonomously operating laboratory robots that enables

such routine tasks to be automated efficiently. For example, robots

should be able to collect process-relevant consumables, independently

dose chemicals or samples, retrieve sensitive samples from refrigerators

or heating cabinets “just in time”, or, in the future, carry

out experiments completely independently. To do this, the robot

must be able to perform tasks such as locating and gripping a wide

variety of containers, precisely weighing different liquids and solids,

opening cabinets and doors, and navigating autonomously.

At Automatica, Fraunhofer IPA showcased the current state of

development with a demonstrator that can automatically dispense

liquids of different viscosities to a target weight and divide them into

defined target containers.

Implementing safe human-robot collaboration

in a semi-automated manner

Due to small batch sizes, modern automation solutions need to be as

flexible as possible. However, this also means that safety measures

With the new software framework “retavi”, companies can automate

their machines, systems, and processes independently of hardware.


CARA simplifies the risk assessment process for collaborative robots

through intelligent, semi-automated user support. © Fraunhofer IPA

must be continuously adapted. This is based on risk assessment and

CE marking – two processes that are currently still very time-consuming

and require a great deal of expert knowledge. Fraunhofer IPA

has therefore developed tools for both the planning and operation

phases that simplify and accelerate safety design.

The trade fair exhibit “CARA” is a tool for the planning phase

that provides comprehensive support for safety design. It uses 3D

simulation to help experts plan and implement all necessary safety

measures in six steps before a system is put into operation. CARA

considers parameters such as potential hazards, safety distances,

and possible interactions between humans and machines. Collision

and entrapment hazards are automatically identified. The tool then

suggests measures to reduce risk.

Collision models determined on an automated test bench developed

by Fraunhofer IPA also help in the planning phase. They address

the challenge that maximum permissible forces and pressures

in case of collisions can limit the speeds and cycle times of the robot,

thereby reducing the performance of the system. However, forces

occurring during operation are difficult to calculate mathematically.

Once created, the collision models enable the performance to be

accurately estimated as early as the planning phase. CARA can draw

on these models.

Intuitive robot programming with the help

of a new user interface

Cobots are measured once on the automatic collision test bench,

generating a collision model that can be used for safety design.


Robot programming is still often a bottleneck when it comes to efficiently

setting up or retrofitting an application. A new user interface

on display at the trade fair booth uses a simulated disassembly

application to show how the necessary expertise can be reduced and


page 32/37

how robots can be programmed efficiently even with a high degree

of variety. The user interface allows individual skills, i.e., robot capabilities,

to be combined into a complete task. This is achieved using

skill modules from the Fraunhofer IPA’s “pitasc” software, which can

be compiled and combined for specific applications without any

programming knowledge.

Automation in high-clean environments:

2ndSCIN® and Tested Device®

2ndSCIN® is a patented protective cover that makes robots and

other moving automation components ready for use in ultra-clean

production. The cover consists of a permeable, flexible, multi-layer

textile that mimics the function of human skin. The textile layer is

equipped with sensors that continuously measure parameters such

as particle concentration, chemical contamination, pressure, and

humidity. AI-based algorithms evaluate this sensor data and enable

predictive maintenance, for example. Depending on the application,

two or more textile layers can be superimposed and separated by

spacers.

Air can be sucked in or expelled in the spaces between the

layers. This allows particles from the environment or from the automation

component to be removed. The introduction of special

gases into the spaces between the system components enables

sterilization, for example. The cover can be changed in about an

hour and can be reused after decontamination. “2ndSCIN® is extremely

versatile in its design, allowing us to meet individual demands.

This enables us to address many requirements for cleanliness-compatible

protective covers for cleanroom components

that previous products have not been able to meet,” explains

Udo Gommel, Head of the Clean and Dry Room Manufacturing

Divison at Fraunhofer IPA. He and his team were presenting

2ndSCIN® at Automatica.

For many years, Fraunhofer IPA has also been offering processes

for particle emission, outgassing, ESD, and other requirements. The

Tested Device® test mark is awarded to the products tested, and visitors

to the booth can also find out more about this at the stand.

The product- and customer-specific test report provides companies

with confirmation of the cleanliness and cleanroom suitability of

their systems, devices, or consumables. The tests include the production

environments of atmospheric cleanrooms, dry cleanrooms,

and vacuum conditions.

Fraunhofer-Institut für Produktionstechnik und Automatisierung IPA

Nobelstraße 12

D 70569 Stuttgart

Telefon: +49 711 970 1667

eMail: joerg-dieter.walz@ipa.fraunhofer.de

Internet: http://www.ipa.fraunhofer.de

REINRÄUME NACHHALTIG PLANEN,

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höchsten Qualitätsstandards sind unser

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Leistungsspektrum, das von der Beratung und

Planung über die Realisierung und Qualifizierung

Unsere Reinräume werden auf Ihre individuellen

Produktions- und Qualitätsanforderungen angepasst.

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sichert Ihnen die Nachhaltigkeit in Bau und Betrieb.

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ONLINE


The machinery and equipment manufacturers’ association will again present itself

with a special area and extensive programme on the outdoor premises of K 2025

VDMA “The Power of

Plastics Forum” at K 2025 – 8 - 15 October

Only a few months to go until K 2025, the

world’s leading trade fair of the plastics and

rubber industry, will open its doors again

from 8 to 15 October and welcome exhibitors

and visitors from throughout the world.

Machinery and equipment manufacturers

traditionally account for the biggest group

of exhibitors occupying two thirds of the

exhibition area. Exhibitors showcase their

innovative technologies in the halls as well

as in six pavilions on the outdoor premises

of K 2025. Thorsten Kühmann, Managing

Director Plastics and Rubber Machinery at

VDMA, one of the sponsoring associations

of K, stresses: “Boasting an impressive 70%

of international attendance among exhibitors

and visitors K 2025 will be the most

international plastics trade fair in the world.

It is the guiding star of the plastics industry

providing orientation for technology development,

also in view of the highly dynamic

sales markets worldwide.”

The Power of Plastics Forum:

Green – Smart – Responsible

The Forum on the outdoor premises of K

2025 provides a good opportunity to hone

in on the trade fair’s motto and guiding topics

and to illustrate the key role technology

providers play in implementing the circular

economy and digitalisation by means of

practical examples. Important aspects here

include:

– Green: Saving resources and reducing the

carbon footprint through circularity.

– Smart: Digitalisation, automation and AI

increase efficiency and feasibility.

– Responsible: Man is centrestage – especially

the young talents in the industry.

Kühmann: “The transformation towards

a circular economy is in full swing, and machinery

and equipment manufacturers play

a pivotal role in it as enablers. They enable

the production of recyclable products

and the reuse of plastic waste to produce

new, high-quality products. VDMA and its

members zero in on the motto of K 2025

“The Power of Plastics! Green – Smart –

Responsible” with absolute conviction and

demonstrate the great potential of plastics

that is unleashed by continuous technology

and material developments. We need plastic

products in nearly all application areas of

our daily lives for people’s well-being. They

make a significant contribution to maintaining

supplies and prosperity in our world

VDMA Pavilion - Credit: VDMA

while becoming more and more sustainable

at the same time.”

At the Forum amongst others plastic

recycling and recyclate processing machines

in operation will breathe life into “The

Power of Plastics!”. The VDMA members

will present their technology highlights in

the pavilions. Visitors can watch live how

high-quality re-granulate is made from plas-

Companies participating

in the outdoor Forum:

– ARBURG GmbH + Co KG

– Coperion GmbH

– EREMA Group GmbH

– Lindner-Recyclingtech GmbH

– Vecoplan AG

– Wittmann Battenfeld GmbH

– VDMA e.V. Kunststoffund

Gummimaschinen


page 34/37

tic waste or how recyclates are processed

into attractive, highly functional and circular-ready

products by means of various processing

methods. At the same time, they will

see how digital solutions in manufacturing

also pave the way for the circular economy.

In addition, the VDMA pavilion will provide

ample opportunities for networking

and feature a daily, themed programme on

circularity, digitalisation as well as young talents

and careers.

Young Talents in machinery & equipment

manufacturing

Trainees, students and career starters at

plastics and rubber machinery manufacturers

have joined forces and will jointly moderate

the daily “Young Talents Time” in the

VDMA Pavilion at K 2025. They will discuss

with experts and project their image of the

plastics industry of the future. The VDMA

initiative EnSHEneer explicitly provides female

mechanical engineering students with

a platform for networking and making contact

with technology producers. On Career

Sunday over 50 women will get together at

the VDMA Pavilion to exchange experiences,

hold discussions and go on a tour of the

trade fair.

Messe Düsseldorf GmbH

D 40001 Düsseldorf

Chillventa, the world‘s leading fair for refrigeration technology, is expanding its exhibition

space in 2026. From 13 to 15 October 2026, trade visitors to Nuremberg can expect an even larger

selection and optimised orientation.

Chillventa presents new hall concept

The 2026 round of Chillventa, the world’s leading fair for refrigeration technology, will feature a new hall configuration. An

extra hall will be added to increase the available display area. From 13 to 15 October 2026, specialists from all around the

world will find an even larger product range and improved layout at the Nuremberg exhibition venue. Consequently, the

trade fair is once again underlining its position as the key platform for the international refrigeration, AC, ventilation and

heat pump sector and continues to evolve as a unique and high calibre gathering of experts.

Chillventa 2024 impressed the community across the board. Exhibitors

and trade visitors alike reported outstanding outcomes from the

event, as the show report emphatically underlines. As Daniela Heinkel,

Director Chillventa, explains: “Chillventa 2024 was a resounding

success and was fully booked. The pre-booking phase for 2026 has

shown that the original display area does not offer any scope for new

exhibitors or larger stands, so we are adding another hall – hall 1. Therefor

the new configuration will provide huge growth opportunities

in all segments and makes it easier for all participants to navigate

the venue. We are delighted to be developing Chillventa to meet the

preferences of our community and reinforcing it as a platform for

innovation, dialogue and networking.

What’s staying, what’s changing?

The main refrigeration product categories in Halls 8 and 9 will

be akin to 2024. In future, AC, ventilation and heat pump technology

will be exhibited in Halls 7 and 7A, which offer greater

display area and more options for companies in these product

categories. The refrigeration technology from Hall 7A will mostly

be showcased in Hall 4A, while the refrigeration technology

from Hall 7 will be accommodated in Halls 1 and 4. The main product

categories in Halls 5 and 6 will be swapped over, with C&I

technology housed in Hall 6. Which will therefore be the main

link between the product segments refrigeration, AC and ventilation

technology. These changes will create more space for diversity

and innovations. Hall 1 will also close the visitor circuit

through the entrance Eingang Mitte, which helps improve navigation

and visitor flow.

Unmissable event for the heat pump sector

Successful Chillventa 2024: Well-attended exhibition stands and full

exhibition aisles underline the success of the event and the need to

expand for 2026. This will create better orientation and diverse growth

opportunities for all participants.

While the preparations for Chillventa 2026 are in full swing, another

highlight in the calendar of the global heat pump community is

taking place in Nuremberg as early as October 2025. At the European

Heat Pump Summit on 28 and 29 October 2025, international

experts will discuss current market developments, research results,

innovations, and application trends. The congress will be complemented

by the accompanying foyer expo, where manufacturers will

present their latest products and services.

NürnbergMesse GmbH

D 90471 Nürnberg


page 35/37

parts2clean 2025:

Higher demands on

component cleaning

Specifications calling for stricter cleanliness for parts and

components, greater demands for cost-effective cleaning,

and more exacting requirements for energy and resourceefficiency

in processes – industrial component cleaning is

facing a variety of challenges. parts2clean presents solutions

for reconciling these sometimes contradictory objectives.

The information and procurement platform with the world‘s

most comprehensive range of industrial cleaning technology

will be held from October 7 to 9, 2025 at the Stuttgart Exhibition

Center in Germany. The supporting program of the

21st leading international trade fair also offers a transfer of

knowledge on trends, innovations, and benchmark applications

that is in demand worldwide.

Whether new mobility, electronics, the semiconductor industry,

sensor technology, optics, medical technology, the pharmaceutical

industry, aerospace, or defense – components and assemblies in almost

all sectors are becoming increasingly compact, complex, and

sensitive to contamination. This is resulting in more stringent cleanliness

requirements for component cleaning. Accordingly, adapted

or optimized cleaning processes are required. In parallel to this, the

cleanliness of the production environment is becoming increasingly

important in order to minimize contamination and to avoid crosscontamination

and recontamination. These aspects also play a key

role when it comes to the cost-effectiveness of cleaning. In addition,

husbanding of resources and a reduced carbon footprint are also becoming

increasingly vital core requirements in component cleaning.

Cleaning solutions that are in demand

„With the most up-to-date and comprehensive international offering

in the field of industrial cleaning technology, parts2clean will

present solutions that can effectively meet the increased demands

on component cleaning from a technological, economic, and ecological

point of view,“ reports Ramtin Randjbar-Moshtaghin, project

director at Deutsche Messe AG since June 1, 2025. The exhibitors‘

solution portfolio is optimally adapted to the respective production

step, the component geometry, and material as well as to the contamination

and cleanliness requirements – from deburring and pre- or

intermediate cleaning to final and high-purity cleaning. Topics such

as automation, digitalization, and artificial intelligence (AI) also play

a role. „The complete and innovative range of exhibits makes parts2clean

the world‘s most important information and procurement

platform for industrial cleaning technology. This is also indicated

by the fact that the leading international trade fair attracts almost

exclusively trade visitors (99%), about 80% of whom come with intent

to invest,“ adds Ramtin Randjbar-Moshtaghin. The 21st leading

international trade fair for industrial parts and surface cleaning will

be held from October 7 to 9, 2025 at the Stuttgart Exhibition Center

in Germany.

Supporting program with p2c.EXPERTFORUM

and award ceremony

The exhibitors‘ cleaning solutions crossing industry, technology,

and material disciplines will be complemented by an attractive supporting

program. This includes the bilingual p2c.EXPERTFORUM,

which has established itself as a highly prized source of knowledge.

It will be organized and held in cooperation with the Fraunhofer

Cleaning division and the German Industrial Parts Cleaning Association

(FiT). „The topics of the simultaneously translated (German

<> English) presentations will provide information about current

challenges, new developments, and trends in industrial parts cleaning

as well as benchmark applications and basic knowledge,“ explains

Ramtin Randjbar-Moshtaghin.

A highlight of the supporting program at this year‘s event awaits

visitors at the FiT‘s special show area: the presentation of the 4th

FiT2clean award. The annual award, which is endowed with a 10,000

euro prize, honors outstanding achievements and innovative solutions

in industrial parts cleaning.

Deutsche Messe AG D 30521 Hannover

(Image source: Deutsche Messe AG)




page 36/37

They are classics in the world of conveyor systems: ball transfer units. They are the first choice

whenever it is necessary to turn, move or transport workpieces with minimal effort. That’s why

Ganter is now introducing new versions.

Movement in All Directions

Like many standard parts, ball transfer units are rarely noticed in

everyday life – but their function is nevertheless essential: They

enable energy-efficient, rapid and secure movement of workpieces

along complex conveyors or production lines. Because the balls

move omnidirectionally, they can be employed in many different

areas, including highly specific applications.

Consequently, ball transfer units have a fixed place in the Ganter

portfolio, and the market leader in standard parts has now expanded

the GN 509 series with new steel and stainless steel variants.

The version GN 509.5 can be easily and securely mounted with

a threaded stud on the bottom of the housing – ideal for applications

in which the ball transfer units must be secured against loss.

The turned housing is available as a plain cylinder or with a collar.

In contrast, GN 509.6 has a short internal thread, and its cylindrical

housing makes it ideal for side guides, for example.

An integrated, vertical spring extends the functionality of GN

509.7. The spring ensures more even distribution of the load to neighboring

ball transfer units, reduces wear and is gentler on the components

– a clear advantage especially when the underside of the

workpieces is uneven. There is also an overload protection function.

If the maximum load is exceeded, the ball transfer unit retracts entirely.

This prevents continued motion of the conveyed goods, avoiding

damage.

A much simpler design is found on GN 509.8, which has a sheet

steel housing that also serves as a mounting flange. This ball transfer

unit is designed for lower loads and is also available with a POM

(Polyacetal) ball. With GN 509.10, the relatively small stainless steel

ball moves within a plastic friction bearing.

GN 509.11 is based on a completely different concept – at first

glance, the ball transfer unit resembles a spring plunger with external

thread, but it has a ball in a plastic friction bearing integrated into the

tip. The external thread can be used to mount the ball transfer unit as

well as to make precise adjustments.

Overall, the GN 509 family encompasses nine types of ball transfer

units, which differ in dimensions, bearing types, fastening options,

materials and load values. Ganter has prepared a technical information

sheet to simplify selection and dimensioning. It contains

practical information on how to optimally arrange the ball transfer

units with respect to the direction of conveyance and the interaction

between friction, temperature resistance and conveying speed.

With the expanded product range, Ganter now offers designers

an even wider spectrum of solutions for efficient, flexible and longlasting

conveyor systems.

Otto Ganter GmbH & Co. KG

Triberger Straße 3

D 78120 Furtwangen

Telefon: +49 7723 65070

Telefax: +49 7723 4659

eMail: info@ganternorm.com

Internet: http://www.ganternorm.com

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

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