CPhI Worldwide 2019 - WACKER Presents High-Density Pyrogenic Silica for Pharmaceutical Applications

Munich, Nov 05, 2019

At the CPhI Worldwide 2019, Munich-based chemical group WACKER will showcase the pyrogenic silica grade HDK^® N20P Pharma for the first time. The product is designed as an excipient for pharmaceutical applications. Even in low amounts, it improves the flow characteristics of powder blends, absorbs moisture from hygroscopic solids and serves as a tablet disintegrant. The new grade’s special feature is its high tap density, which provides tangible logistics and handling benefits for pharmaceutical manufacturers. CPhI will take place in Frankfurt, Germany, from November 5 to 7, 2019.

HDK Packaging — At this year’s CPhI, WACKER will present the pyrogenic silica *HDK^{^®}* N20P Pharma. The new grade’s special feature is its high tap density, which significantly reduces the volume of packaging. (Photo: WACKER)

With HDK^® N20P Pharma, WACKER is expanding its range of pyrogenic silicas tailored to pharmaceutical or food applications. The new product is a compressed version of the HDK^® N20 Pharma grade, which has been proving its merit as an excipient in the pharmaceutical industry for years.

Both grades are hydrophilic pyrogenic silicas; their surfaces are thus wettable by water. Apart from the tap density, they possess the same physical-chemical properties. With a silicon-dioxide content of at least 99.8 percent, both products are highly pure and meet the specifications of the European and the US Pharmacopeia.

Pyrogenic silicas are bulky white powders. In the manufacture of the new HDK^® grade, the flame process, in which the pyrogenic silica is made, is followed by a compression step. At approximately 100 grams per liter, HDK^® N20P Pharma achieves a tap density that is slightly more than double that of its uncompressed counterpart.

The high degree of compaction has a positive effect on logistics and handling of the product. The media used to transport HDK^® N20P Pharma can now be filled with twice the amount of product. This halves the number of bags to be transported and thus the volume of packaging. The packaging-material savings furthermore reduce environmental pollution. There is also significantly less dust produced when the bags are emptied and the compressed pyrogenic silica is processed. Correspondingly less cleaning is required. In addition, the product is easier to meter due to its compactness.

HDK^® N20P Pharma is used as a processing auxiliary in the manufacture of pharmaceutical powders, pellets and tablets. The pyrogenic silica enhances the flow characteristics of powders and can bind moisture. These effects make pharmaceutical powders easier to process. HDK^®N20P Pharma furthermore accelerates tablet disintegration. Amounts of less than one percent are typically sufficient in order to achieve these effects.