I2APM Centres - RCPE
Together with the global players in the pharmaceutical industry, the K1 Competence Center Re-search Center Pharmaceutical Engineering (RCPE) performs cutting-edge research in the field of process and product optimization. The main focus is on the development of new drug delivery systems and the associated production processes and their monitoring. In addition to an experienced multidisciplinary and international team, the outstanding achievements of the center are due to its proximity to the universities of Graz. Thus, being a link between science and industry, RCPE offers state-of-the-art business-oriented research. RCPE is owned by Graz University of Technology (65%), the University of Graz (20%) and the Joanneum Research GmbH (15%).
RCPE Pilot Plant
The pilot plant is extensively equipped, including a continuous extrusion system with hot-melt extruders, a wet extruder, a die-face cutter, a pelletizer, various feeding systems, a fully-instrumented laboratory tablet press, fluid-bed systems, a compaction simulator, granulators, nano-spray driers, capsule filling systems, filters, blenders, drug printers, crystallizers, coaters and much more.
The machines are used for process development, process understanding and the implementation of process-analytical tools for in-process monitoring, control and process optimization.
Regular maintenance and certification of the equipment and extensive training of the employees guarantee top research results and performance.
- State-of-the-art pilot plant
- Mixers, wet & dry ganulators, compaction, coating, spray drying, continuous processing, etc.
- Online NIR, Raman, UVVis, OCT, NIR GMP certified
- Value of equipment > 6 M€
RCPE will open a new Pilot Plant (OEB 4 Level) in the first Quarter 2017 with
- 500 m2 of state-of-the-art facilities
- Pharma Standard Clean Rooms (ISO 7)
- Investment 6.2 M€
Extruder © Lichtmeister Photography Productions
RCPE Laboratory Facilities
Over the last years, RCPE has developed its own process and analytical laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment.
At the laboratory facility solid dosage forms are investigated (powders, tablets, pills, pellets, granules, capsules, etc.) which are relevant to pharmaceutical applications. For material characterization, comprehensive laboratory equipment is available. The analytics laboratory (chemical identification via UPLC, HPLC, 2 online NIRs, FTIR, online-Raman, UV-Vis, dissolution, particle analysis, structure, flowability, DSC, X-ray, etc.) comprises state-of-the-art equipment as well.
- State-of-the-art analytical laboratory
- Detailed maintenance plans
- Equipment certification available
- Value of equipment: > 3,5 M€