01
Butterfly Valve
DE: Absperrklappe / Drehklappe · IT: Valvola a farfalla
A butterfly valve shuts off product flow by means of a disc that rotates through 90 degrees. In powder processing it reliably separates vessels, piping and process stages from one another. GMP-compliant designs rely on low-dead-space construction, electropolished AISI 316L contact surfaces and fully removable seals, so the valve can be cleaned without residue and validated — essential for pharmaceutical, chemical and food processes with frequent product changeovers.
02
Rotary Valve
DE: Zellradschleuse · IT: Valvola rotativa
A rotary valve discharges powders and granules from silos, vessels or filters in a metered fashion. A rotating cell wheel transfers the product in portions while decoupling two process areas at different pressure levels — for example when feeding a pneumatic conveying line. GMP environments call for low-dead-space designs with polished surfaces and quick-dismantling construction, so that cleaning and inspection are possible without tools.
03
Powder Dosing
DE: Pulverdosierung · IT: Dosaggio polveri
Powder dosing is the precise, metered addition of powdered raw materials into a process — volumetrically via screw or rotary-valve systems, or gravimetrically with a weighing control loop. In pharmaceutical and food production, dosing accuracy directly determines recipe fidelity and batch quality; GMP additionally requires complete documentation of every addition. Modern dosing systems therefore combine precise mechanics with cleanable design and reproducible control — from API addition to continuous extruder feeding.
04
Powder Handling
DE: Pulverförderung / Pulverhandling · IT: Movimentazione polveri
Powder handling covers every step in dealing with powdered products: discharging, conveying, dosing, filling and emptying. The goal is a closed product flow from raw material to filling — without dust release, segregation or contamination. GMP-regulated processes add the requirement that every product-contact component must be cleanable and validatable. Feeding systems link the individual process stages and ensure a controlled, uninterrupted material flow.
05
Lump Breaker / Crusher
DE: Klumpenbrecher · IT: Rompigrumi
A lump breaker crushes agglomerates that form when powders are stored, transported or compacted — for example through moisture or pressure inside a big bag. Rotating breaker tools gently break up the lumps before the product reaches dosing or conveying stages. This ensures uniform bulk density and prevents blockages. With the HR Crusher, CO.RA. has developed a hygienic lump breaker that can be dismantled and cleaned without tools for GMP applications.
06
Pneumatic Conveying
DE: Pneumatische Förderung · IT: Trasporto pneumatico
In pneumatic conveying, powders and granules are transported through closed piping in a stream of air or nitrogen — as vacuum or pressure conveying, in dilute or dense phase. The closed design protects product and environment alike: no dust emission, no foreign contamination. This makes the method the standard in pharmaceutical, chemical and food plants. Components such as rotary valves and butterfly valves form the interfaces between conveying line and process.
07
Powder Containment
DE: Containment / Pulverrückhaltung · IT: Contenimento polveri
Containment refers to measures that prevent product dust from escaping at transfer points — protecting operators from highly active ingredients and protecting the product from contamination. Requirements are defined via OEB bands and OEL limits. Technically, containment is achieved through closed systems, tight shut-off devices and containment-rated valve technology at filling and discharge points. In pharmaceutical production it is an integral part of plant design.
08
CIP/SIP
Cleaning in Place / Sterilization in Place
CIP (Cleaning in Place) and SIP (Sterilization in Place) describe the cleaning and sterilization of plant components without dismantling: cleaning media or pure steam flow through the closed system following validated programs. Prerequisites are a low-dead-space design with defined surface finishes, self-draining geometries and suitable sealing materials. CIP/SIP-capable components significantly reduce downtime and make cleaning results reproducible — a core requirement of GMP validation, decided as early as the engineering stage.
09
Silicone Valve
DE: Silikonventil · IT: Valvola in silicone
A silicone valve seals via sealing elements or molded parts made of platinum-cured silicone — a material that is FDA-compliant and qualified to USP Class VI. Silicone conforms even to the finest powder particles and seals reliably without shearing the product. In pharmaceutical applications, silicone valves are therefore used at product transfer points that demand gentle sealing, cleanability and documented material compliance. The sealing elements are wear parts and can be replaced easily.
10
Pharmaceutical Valve
DE: Pharmaventil / Hygieneventil · IT: Valvola farmaceutica
Pharmaceutical valve is the umbrella term for shut-off devices engineered to hygienic design principles: low-dead-space flow paths, electropolished surfaces with defined roughness, gap-free seals and full material traceability with 3.1 certificates. Add to this the qualification documentation (IQ/OQ) for GMP validation. Whether butterfly valve, rotary valve or special valve — what matters is that every product-contact surface is cleanable, inspectable and documented.
11
Chemical Valve
DE: Chemieventil · IT: Valvola chimica
Chemical valves are shut-off devices for aggressive, corrosive or solvent-laden media. Material selection is the central issue: high-alloy stainless steels, Hastelloy or special alloys for product-contact parts, plus chemically resistant sealing materials such as PTFE or FFKM. ATEX-compliant versions are used in potentially explosive atmospheres. Unlike plain industrial valves, chemical valves for pharmaceutical and fine-chemical processes combine media resistance with cleanable design — both requirements must be engineered together.