Can we fill different formulations/products on the same filling machine?

Posted 6th Mar 2023

Can we fill different formulations/products on the same filling machine?

There are instances when formulations/product variants are similar enough to be able to purge one through with the next – and if this is possible, it is the preferable option – because it avoids taking apart and cleaning the equipment. However, there are a few things that can get in the way of this option:

• Compatibility: if there is incompatibility between formulation/product variants this completely removes the ‘purging one through with the next’ option.

• Viscosity: vasty differing viscosities between formulation/product variants can cause problems when trying to purge one product through with the next – a thicker product will effectively push through a thinner product, but a significantly thinner product will take the path of least resistance and tunnel it’s way through the centre of a thicker product.

• Quality standards; while it is acceptable for most operations to push one batch through with the next, in some instances a sufficient amount of material needs to be purged to insure a complete ejection of the prior batch, were batch traceability is absolutely key it may rule out the option to purge one batch through with the next.

So, whilst purging one batch through with the next is a very efferent way to operate, there are instances where it is not acceptable – where batches and product variants cannot be purged one through with the next, and the volumes of each variant to be filled do not justify their own dedicated equipment, it is advisable that the filling equipment specified is quick and easy to disassemble, clean, and reassemble.