A buyer’s guide to process equipment

Rachel Morgan from the Adelphi Group of Companies provides an insight into what buyers need to look for when purchasing process equipment.

With all the furore in the UK and beyond surrounding the ‘B’ word, companies in the pharmaceutical industry are looking to the future with an increasingly concerned eye. From start-ups to multi-national corporations, businesses need their process equipment to stand the test of time. Investing once and investing right takes the weight off peoples’ minds, leaving them free to grapple with the wider challenges facing their business.

“So how can I make sure I shop smart?”

It sounds like the oldest mistake in the book, but don’t buy the cheapest process equipment you come across! Purchasing cheaper or plastic process vessels and equipment can become false economy in the long run, as such alternatives are largely less hygienic and less durable. They can also be susceptible to rusting, pitting and corrosion.

For the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, process equipment needs to have been created with a specific eye for hygiene. Look for products with a pit and crevice-free design, to avoid potential bug traps. 316 medical grade stainless steel is the apex, but you need to make certain sure that if you ask for 316, that’s what you get. We hear all sorts of horror stories about vessels being delivered to a medical production environment which are entirely 316… apart from the base, or apart from the lid! Save yourself the hassle; companies who provide material traceability and testing certification should shoot to the top of your supplier list, as they are guaranteeing the quality of the goods you receive. At PHP, our X-ray analyser confirms the metal alloy makeup of your process equipment, while our Surface Finish Analyser checks out surface smoothness, ensuring that those unhygienic nasties have nowhere to hide.

Another major factor to consider when searching for the quality you need, is the challenges presented by an increased focus on sustainability. ‘Environmental footprint’ has gone from a secondary to a primary concern, and businesses are coming under pressure to show that they are willing to invest in making environmentally aware improvements. This is one concern which shows no sign of abating (indeed, it looks be exponentially increasing), so when looking to future-proof your business, your process equipment is a great place to start.

“Stainless steel is one of the most environmentally efficient raw materials available”, states Life Without Plastics, “because of its durability and ability to be recycled”. Over the past twenty years, improved process technology has enabled manufacturers to significantly reduce the quantities of energy required to produce stainless steel. Stainless steel products should last significantly longer than their plastic counterparts under normal usage. Even once their service life is over or they become irreparably damaged, stainless steel items should never enter the waste stream. Stainless steel is 100% recyclable and can be reused to make new products without loss of any of the original properties, such as tensile strength, ductility and corrosion-resistance. On average, most stainless steel items are made of approximately 60% recycled material, with 25% of that derived from end-of-life products, and the other 35% from manufacturing processes.