Process analytical technology tools for process control of roller compaction in solid pharmaceuticals manufacturing

Powders are often granulated to improve their flow properties, content uniformity and processability. Dry granulation is increasingly becoming a preferred granulation technique in the pharmaceutical industry because it makes manufacturing and processing of moisture and heat sensitive active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) possible. This process has also grown in popularity due to its cost and energy efficiency which results from fewer unit operations, shorter manufacturing times and the absence of the drying step (evaporation of solvents).
Roller compaction is a dry granulation process in which powder blends are com- pressed between two counter-rotating rollers to form dense ribbon compacts. Subsequently, ribbons are milled through screens to obtain granules, which are further mixed with excipients to form a compression or encapsulating mixture.

Abstract
This article presents an overview of using process analytical technology in monitoring the roller compaction process. In the past two decades, near-infrared spectroscopy, near-infrared spectroscopy coupled with chemical imaging, microwave resonance technology, thermal effusivity and various particle imaging techniques have been used for developing at-, off-, on- and in-line models for predicting critical quality attributes of ribbons and subsequent granules and tablets. The common goal of all these methods is improved process understanding and process control, and thus improved production of high-quality products. This article reviews the work of several researchers in this field, comparing and critically evaluating their achievements. Download the full publication here: Process analytical technology tools for process control of roller compaction in solid pharmaceuticals manufacturing

Acta Pharm. 70 (2020) 443–463 Review
A DULAR VOVKO, F VREČER