The Hot-Melt Extrusion (HME) technique, initially developed in the 18th century for lead pipes, has become a versatile process used widely across plastics, rubber, and food industries.
Today, over half of plastic products, such as bags and sheets, are made using HME, highlighting its adaptability.
In pharmaceuticals, HME is a key method for creating various drug delivery systems.
The process involves pumping raw materials through a heated barrel at controlled temperatures and pressures to produce uniform products.
Pioneered by Breitenbach and advanced by Follonier, HME excels in creating sustained-release polymer-based pellets.
Key Steps in HME:
1. Feeding: Raw materials are introduced via a hopper.
2. Mixing & Grinding: Materials are mixed and ground to desired sizes.
3. Venting & Kneading: Ensures proper material processing and removal of gases.
4. Extrusion: The material flows through a heated barrel and is shaped by a die.
Typically, the extruder has one or two rotating screws inside a stationary barrel, designed for optimal melting and shaping. The die at the end defines the final product shape, ensuring precise control over temperature, pressure, feeding rate, and screw speed for efficient material transformation.
Discover the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing with Hot-Melt Extrusion (HME).
Our innovative technology transforms drug delivery, creating precise molecular dispersions of active ingredients within polymer or lipid matrices.
HME offers a versatile alternative for diverse dosage forms.
Aligned with FDA's Process Analytical Technology, it ensures consistent, quality-controlled manufacturing.
Explore the components, processing technologies, materials, and applications of HME in oral drug delivery systems – unlocking a new era in pharmaceutical excellence.