Application Note: Retrofitting Process Equipment Achieves Containment For A Range Of Manufacturing Operations

By ALAN E. GEORGE

Retrofitting refers to the addition of new technology or features to older systems. This generic definition is somewhat basic but applies to enhancing process equipment and facilities.

The key objective is to apply proven containment technologies to minimize negative effects on production while optimizing benefits to the organization. Minimizing shutdown time, reducing interferences or impediments to production, and significantly reducing capital (as well as the subsequent depreciation costs) are a few negative aspects that can be turned into positives.

Additionally, organizations can maximize benefits with the ability to manufacture hazardous active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) on existing process equipment as needed, within regulatory compliance, with reduced cleaning and cleaning validation, in a manner that supports speed to market, and at safety levels to the nanogram protection range.