Tag: Cosmetic/Pharma & Biotech

What cosmetics are we talking about?

Cosmetic products are designed to incorporate a variety of attributes, including essential functions (helping the skin to look radiant), taste preferences (fragrance, color), and different aspects (shower oil, skincare cream and shower gels) etc.

Why is viscosity important?

Creams and gels are two types of cosmetic product used for a variety of applications, such as moisturizing the skin, treating specific skin conditions, or simply for aesthetic purposes. Their consistency varies according to their composition and specific purpose, and this difference in texture plays an important role for the user, whether the cream is soft, greasy or easy to spread on the skin.

Whatever the reason of the cosmetic product, maintaining a constant and controlled viscosity on all production lines is essential to achieve the texture desired by the manufacturer. Furthermore, viscosity can have an impact on the chemical stability of a cosmetic product in its packaging over time.

Viscosity measurement is therefore an essential tool in the cosmetics industry for assessing and controlling the consistency of products such as gels and creams.

 Challenges

During the product production stage, it is important to reduce the waiting time due to taking samples and measurement in laboratory, while increasing production capacity and thus saving time.

In fact, it is necessary to collect certain samples from batches in order to monitor product consistency. Viscosity control is carried out in the laboratory and can take some time, putting the rest of the manufacturing process on standby while the analysis is carried out.

Consistent measurement of batches is necessary to maintain high quality standards for your products. By identifying deviations from specifications as soon as they occur, you can take corrective action to ensure that your products meet quality requirements.

By analyzing batch measurement data over time, trends and patterns in the production process can be identified. This can help identify ways of optimizing your process to improve efficiency, reduce costs and increase productivity.

Sofraser’s viscometers solutions for cosmetics

MIVI has been designed and is used to measure the viscosity of all types of liquids and viscous fluids 24/7, providing continuous and instantaneous information. It’s the instrument that ensures everything runs smoothly during the manufacturing and preparation process. What’s more, batch recording ensures perfect traceability.

MIVI process viscometer saves samples and laboratory measurements that are costly and have a long response time that increases the global batch duration. This reduces batching time, resulting in more production. It also helps to determine unexpected events during the whole batch process, enabling you to have complete traceability of the production

Designed to determine viscosity at a high shear rate, MIVI comes in different configurations. Ranging from the “Basic” version to the “Sanitary” version including the “Hygienic” version with its design certified by EHEDG.

This viscometer guarantees the irreproachable quality of your final product while respecting the cleanability requirements and thus meeting the latest European standards.

Sofraser’s 50 years of expertise and great track record of decade-lasting sensors allows our clients from all around the world to closely monitor and improve their processes without worry.

The shampoo industry

In the cosmetics industry, and in the hair sector in particular, viscosity is closely monitored. In order to guarantee the consistency, density, malleability and fluidity of the products.

The industry faces the challenge to combine high quality product with optimized resources and time. That is why measuring instruments are implemented on the process: to optimize it and control the product’s final quality.

Measuring the viscosity of shampoo is an important part of quality control. To meet customers’ expectations, the liquid has to be applied easily to the hair and skull while still giving a “rich” feeling.

It is highly important for both the customer and the manufacturer to have a shampoo with a good balance between a rich feeling and a good application to the skin.

Thickness and flow properties are directly related to viscosity. This influences cleaning effectiveness, user perception, foaming properties, production filling, packaging, storage and long-term stability.. Assuring good viscosity on a batch of shampoo decreases the risks all through the process. 

Identifying critical viscosity operations and the causes of viscosity changes improves ingredient production management and reduces overall process time.

 

Sofraser’s viscometers solutions for shampoo viscosity

The MIVI can be used to measure the viscosity of all types of liquid and viscous samples. It is the most suitable instrument with its wide choice of electronic interfaces.

Thanks to the inline viscometer’s data throughout the all process line, customers acquire the ability to optimize and automate the mixing process, the real-time display of data helps you make sure you control the batch as closely as possible.

A process viscometer helps, saves laboratory measurements and reduces batching time, resulting in more production. I also helps you determine unexpected events during the whole batch process, enabling you to have complete traceability of the production 

Designed to determine viscosity at a high shear rate, MIVI comes in different forms. Ranging from the basic version to the sanitary version including the EHEDG hygienic version.

This viscometer guarantees the irreproachable quality of your final product while respecting the hygiene requirements and thus meeting the latest European standards.

Sofraser’s 50 years of expertise and great track record of decade-lasting sensors allows our clients from all around the world to closely monitor and improve their processes without worry.

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An enteric coating (delayed-release); is a barrier applied to oral medications that control where it is absorbed in the digestive tract. Most enteric coatings work by having a coated surface that is stable at a very acidic pH. Which is found in the stomach, but the enteric coating decomposes under non-acid conditions; found in the intestine and thus releases the drug.

The main applications of enteric coatings are pharmaceuticals in solid oral dosages and livestock feed.

The functionality of enteric coatings depends, essentially, on a change in the pH of the environment to which the soluble enteric product is exposed. Enteric polymers remain unionized (and thus insoluble) at low pH values; and begin to dissolve at pH values of about 5. 0 to 5. 5.

The choice of polymer and coating thickness are absolutely essential to control the pH solubility; profile of the enteric-coated dosage form. The quality of the film coating is absolutely essential and affects the shelf life and disintegration of enteric tablets.

Control of viscosity to optimize efficiency and quality in the coating process

It is therefore essential to maintain high quality standards in the pharmaceutical industry. Each coating formulation and film-forming polymer has its maximum viscosity limit characteristic. Regarding processability, that depends on batch size, coating equipment and process.In order to optimize efficiency and quality, it is imperative to maintain optimal viscosity throughout the coating process.

Since spraying, coating distribution and drying occur at the same time. Tablet coating is a dynamic and complex process that is affected by many variables. In order to optimize efficiency and quality, it is absolutely necessary to compensate for the loss of solvent by adding a small amount of solvent from time to time during the operation. To help maintain optimal viscosity for use through adjustments depending on conditions.

Since the early 1990s, the MIVI sensor has been integrated into multiple product developments in the biotechnology industry. Therefore allowing the filing of half a dozen patents in which the Sofraser viscometer serves as a reference for measuring enzymatic power.

The solution goes through Sofraser’s MIVI viscometer, using the vibrating type at resonant frequency principle invented and patented by Sofraser for almost 50 years. For this type of project, the size of the needle, the active part of the viscometer as well as its high sensitivity, offer an original and effective solution.

Thanks to its current and or serial outputs, Sofraser’s viscometers are easily implemented in automated solvent distribution systems.

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Definition of the enzyme :

Almost all biomolecules capable of catalyzing chemical reactions in cells are enzymes. Their main function is to decrease the activation energy of a chemical reaction. This increases the reaction speed of a preparation.

Today, in addition to natural enzymes, many synthetic versions are created in the laboratory. This improves their activity, develop new properties, in order to adapt them to the industrial sector and to produce; among others, natural cleaning products that are increasingly effective.

To measure the activity of the cellulase solution an efficient technique is needed to control the manufacturing process and ensure the final quality. The technique called DNSA method, based on the reduction of the viscosity of a CMC solution in contact with the enzyme is one of the most efficient, but requires a viscometer whose performance is up to the challenge.

The solution goes through Sofraser Needle, the inventor of the vibrating type at resonant frequency MIVI viscometer. For this type of project, the small size of the needle, the active part of the viscometer, as well as its high sensitivity offers an original and automated solution.

Since the early 1990s, the MIVI sensor has been integrated into multiple product developments. Allowing the filing of half a dozen patents in which the Sofraser viscometer is used as a reference for the measurement of enzymatic power.

They say about us:

“The analysis method with the MIVI sensor is the most efficient. The accuracy of the enzymatic activity perfectly matches our need, the sample volume is minimal and the operators appreciate the ease of cleaning the needle.” – Enzyme laboratory researcher, in Denmark

See also our case study on a biotech industry.

Want to learn more about our MIVI Hygienic? Download its detailed fact sheet on our MIVI page.

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In the cosmetic industry, consistency, density, malleability and fluidity are elements that constitute viscosity.

In cosmetic samples, the challenge for the leaders in skin care products is to combine high product quality with an optimized use of resources and time.

The material of cosmetic products :

Whether face creams, shower gels, make-up removers or various cleansers, which cover a wide range of viscosities. Cosmetic production sites mix ingredients in industrial tanks; production cycles last up to six hours and include several operations at critical viscosities. In addition to determining the exact viscosity at critical steps, monitoring the viscosity evolution and its root causes is crucial.

The MIVI Viscometer is designed to quickly determine the viscosity at high shear rate, both in process monitoring and in a development laboratory. The MIVI is easy to use and can be used to measure the viscosity of all types of liquid and viscous samples in the course of daily laboratory activities.

EHEDG certified in January 2021, SOFRASER’s MIVI is the only viscosity sensor to be compliant with the principles and rules of hygiene control, from the choice of materials to the design, installation and maintenance of the equipment. Thanks to this know-how towards sensitive products in a hygienic environment, Sofraser’s MIVI is the most suitable instrument with its wide choice of electronic interface allowing correlations (such as consistency, concentration…), installed in-line but other installation options on tanks are available.

With MIVI, continuous and instantaneous viscosity monitoring in each mixing tank improves the non-conformance rate by 30%. Identifying critical viscosity operations and the causes of viscosity changes also improves ingredient production management and reduces overall process time.

The inline viscometer therefore allows for optimization and automation of the mixing process. For the operators, the display of the instant viscosity is a satisfaction and has a positive and far-reaching effect.

They say about us:

“The impact on our production is huge. Since we have been using the MIVI viscometer on our production lines the processor reacts directly to bad viscosity values. In addition to this, the volume of blocked product is reduced, the idle time of the tank is reduced and the loss of ingredients is now insignificant. We were able to banish all dead zones and avoid any cross contamination. Sofraser’s Solution is perfectly suited to our mixing process.” – Quality manager of a skin care production

Read our case study about a cosmetics industry.

Want to know more about our MIVI Hygienic? Download its detailed data sheet on our MIVI page.

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In the pharmaceutical industry, the perfection of encapsulated products requires total control. Several processing steps including encapsulation, which consists of enclosing a substance in a stable envelope called a capsule.

The encapsulation of these capsules is to protect the substance from interactions with the external environment; or to transport the substance to the place where it will be released to act.

Today, there are two types of capsules: the hard-shell capsule and the soft-shell capsule. They both consist of a gelling agent (gelatin), an animal protein or polysaccharides and derivatives.

The quality of the final product depends on the upstream production of the gelling agents. Through the processing of materials of natural origin; the manufacturing of the shells and their sealing after filling with the active ingredient.

Viscosity is a key specification of the gelling agent. That will be involved in the manufacturing of the empty capsules through the dipping process and in a later step in their sealing after filling with the active ingredient.

The solution provided by SOFRASER:

The resonant frequency vibrating type MIVI viscometer, invented by Sofraser; is known for its great versatility which allows the MIVI viscometer to be used for difficult or sophisticated transformation processes; including hygienic processes. In addition to its contribution to upstream gelatin production, the sensitive and reliable measurement allows perfect monitoring and control of viscosity during capsule manufacturing and sealing.

The MIVI Viscometer is successfully used by gelatin producers whose concern is quality, safety and compliance with the final product specifications. Capsule manufacturers take advantage of the viscosity control to ensure the best performance of the dipping process in the gelatin bath. Finally, MIVI is used in the pharmaceutical industry to control the viscosity of the sealing agent during the application step and to guarantee the safety of the final consumers. Moreover, thanks to its instantaneous and continuous measurement, MIVI ensures the traceability of the manufacturing conditions.

Discover also our case study on a pharmaceutical industry.

You want to know more about our MIVI Hygienic? Download its detailed sheet on our MIVI page.

Join us on LinkedIn and YouTube