Landon Mertz of Cerion Nanomaterials looks at why batch still prevails in one area of the industry
Mixing nanomaterial product at Cerion ’ s plant
Batch v . continuous : Is the nanomaterials industry lagging or leading ?
Landon Mertz of Cerion Nanomaterials looks at why batch still prevails in one area of the industry
At first glance , continuous manufacturing seems a modern-day marvel : a seamless and constant production method that , on paper , promises efficiency , consistency and reduced waste . And yet , the vast majority of industries remain anchored to batch processes , including nanomaterials .
Is this indicative of industries being mired in outdated practices ? Or do underlying practical challenges cast shadows over the promise of continuous manufacturing ? This article delves into the intricate factors guiding this choice , revealing a landscape far more nuanced than it might initially appear .
Nano & pharma
Nanomaterials and pharmaceuticals are tailored for different end products and have widely divergent price points , but they have remarkable parallels in their production methodologies . At the heart of both is a demand for absolute precision and control . Minor shifts in composition or structure can drastically alter the functionality and / or efficacy of the resulting product .
This underscores the importance of unwavering attention to detail in every production phase . Equally crucial is the commitment to rigorous quality standards . This is a pledge to drug safety and effectiveness for pharmaceuticals , while nanomaterials focus on attaining specific material properties .
As of 2022 , 13 drugs were made by continuous manufacturing , a mere 0.03 % of the over 19,000 prescription drugs approved on the US market . The statistics are similar across Europe and Japan . 1 , 2 As a recent example , Pfizer transitioned Lipitor to a continuous process , but the experience was unsatisfactory . The CEO later said that to realise the full benefits from investments in continuous manufacturing , highvolume production was needed . 3
Where continuous shines
Continuous manufacturing ’ s utility emerges in high-tonnage , single-
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