Optimal Humidity in the Pharmaceutical Industry

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Benefits

Humidity control in the pharmaceutical industry is essential in many production and testing processes to maintain quality and reduce waste.

Product stability

Humidity control helps during storage time, ensures drug quality and safety.

Precise manufacturing

Optimal humidity protects the hygroscopic materials and supports the processes.

Prevents contamination

Humidity control prevents degradation and microbial growth.

Humidity control in the pharmaceutical industry

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Prevention of static electricity

Levels of humidity below 40% RH can lead to static build-up. The results of this include materials adhering to each other on the production line and not locating correctly inside of packaging. A humidity level of between 55 - 65% RH will significantly reduce the probability of electro static discharge, which is vital for sensitive electronic equipment or where flammable gases or substances are being used.

Stability testing

Regulations on accelerated or longterm stability testing mostly require humidity to be controlled within a tolerance of ±5% RH. If the condition of the atmosphere falls outside this window, it can result in a test having to be restarted. This is expensive and can even delay the launch of a new product.

Humidification and dehumidification in tablet coating

Successful coating of a tablet largely depends on the composition of the tablet at the time of exposure to its coating. If the tablet’s surface is too dry, due to incorrect humidity levels, the coating will not adhere correctly. Likewise if the humidity post coating is not optimal, the coating may dry too rapidly, detrimentally affecting its properties.

Humidity control in fluid bed drying

Consistent and responsive humidity control in Fluid Bed Drying processes results in the product’s moisture content reaching the target level more rapidly and with less wastage through over or under drying. Close control resistive steam humidifiers running on pure RO water can provide a precision of ±2% RH.

Dehumidification in tablet pressing processes

Production and processing procedures in the pharmaceutical industry have always been associated with special requirements: this also applies to the manufacture of tablets. Even the raw materials require constant environmental parameters in order to maintain their effectiveness. To avoid the risk of the tablets being contaminated by dirt particles, germs, or spores in the air during the manufacturing process, a relative humidity of 35–50 percent at air temperatures of 21–27 degrees Celsius is optimal.

Use cases

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Projects and references

Centre De Recherche Pierre Fabre

With 13,000 employees and annual revenues of 2.282 billion euros, it is one of the largest companies in the pharmaceutical industry. In addition to a wide range of specialized research and development departments, the Research Center in Toulouse is also home to one of the world's most renowned oncology research centers. At this site, teams have access to the equipment they need to research and create new molecules, and can concentrate on research relating to natural, chemical and biological molecules. The campus is known as a national center of excellence, and provides a site where public and private research institutions, doctors, hospitals and patients can all come together in one place. Condair steam humidifiers are used to meet the many requirements for indoor air in laboratories and common areas.

Pierre Fabre Research Center, Toulouse - France

Beijing Fuyuan Pharmaceutical

In 2024, Fuyuan Pharmaceutical was awarded the title of one of Beijing's first "Green Credit Grade A Enterprises" and was included in the "2024 China Pharmaceutical R&D Comprehensive Strength Top 100."
Air quality is crucial for pharmaceutical production environments. If the air humidity is too low, it can significantly impact production processes, thereby affecting drug quality. The Condair PS humidifiers provide steam humidification for HVAC systems.

GW Pharmaceuticals

GW Pharmaceuticals is a leader in therapies based on its proprietary cannabinoid product platform to treat a number of diseases. The company was the first to receive FDA approval for a CBD-based treatment for severe forms of childhood epilepsy in its Epidiolex lead product.The company has established extensive experience in researching, developing and delivering novel, breakthrough medicines, undertaking pioneering work to unlock the medical benefit of cannabis through rigorous scientific investigation, extensive clinical trials and regulatory approvals. Much of what is known about the medical uses of cannabis was discovered by GW Pharmaceuticals.Condair RS resistive steam humidifiers are maintaining the ideal humidity level in GW's research laboratories and are being supported with Condair's planned preventative maintenance services.

Sanofi

Sanofi engages in the research and development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical drugs principally in the prescription market, but the firm also develops over-the-counter medication.

L'Oréal - Centre de Recherche & Développement

L'Orital's Research Development Centre in Vitry-sur-Seine is one of the group's main global sites dedicated to innovation in cosmetics. The centre employs over 4,000 researchers of various nationalities, specialising in more than 50 scientific and technical fields. The centre is also involved in green chemistry and eco-design initiatives, contributing to L'Orital's objective of creating beauty that respects the planet Condair is proud to have supplied, installed and commissioned Condair EL and EC electrode steam humidifiers to help maintain the consistent and accurate humidity levels needed for the sensitive testing processes.

Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Condair RS , for HVAC Condair SETC for FBE

Cipla Ltd, Kurkumbh , Maharashtra

Condair Mk5 , for HVAC

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd., Hyderabad

Condair RS , for laboratory Fluidized Bed Equipment

Lupin Ltd, Aurangabad

Condair SETC for FBE

Lupin Ltd, Pithampur , M.P.

Condair RS , for HVAC

Lupin Ltd. Nagpur

Condair RS , for HVAC

Lupin Ltd. Research Park, Pune

Condair RS , for HVAC

Downloads

Application brochure

Humidification in pharmaceutical manufacturing document · 2,0 MB

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Frequently asked questions

Why is it so important to control humidity in pharmaceutical industries?

What is the ideal humidity for pharmaceutical processes?

What kind of dehumidifier is best for pharmaceutical processes?

There are two main types of commercial dehumidifier - condensing and desiccant. Condensing dehumidifiers work effectively at temperatures between 20°C and 35°C, achieving humidity levels from 45%RH to 95%RH. Achieving less than 40%RH is challenging with this technology, and overall control accuracy is about +/-10%RH. Condensing dehumidifiers either require a drain connection or daily maintenance to empty the condensate tanks. Desiccant dehumidifiers operate in a wide temperature range from -30°C to +40°C and relative humidity from 0-100%. They can lower humidity to below 10%RH, maintain stable control within +/-2%RH, and require only a ducted wet air vent to expel moisture, with no drain connection needed.

Boost your pharma yields

Want to achieve up to 60% higher production yields, minimize waste, and ensure GMP-compliant humidity control in your pharmaceutical manufacturing?

Humidifiers and dehumidifiers often used in the pharmaceutical industry

Condair DL

The Condair DL is the next generation of the Condair Dual2—the successful system for adiabatic air humidification. Its hygienic credentials have proven successful in practice and were verified and certified by independent organisations with public responsibility.

Condair RS

Innovative scale management removes the separated minerals from the steam cylinder during operation and automatically conveys them into the designated scale collecting tank. Scale deposits are thus continuously removed from the steam cylinder.

Condair DA

Condair DA desiccant dryers are designed for applications requiring extremely low humidity, such as in sensitive industrial manufacturing processes, and for environments with very low temperatures or where precise moisture control is essential.