This year’s Achema World Forum Innovation Award has been granted to PSL for its advanced aseptic formulation solution for polymeric microspheres, the MicroSphere Refiner technology.
Suspended microspheres obtained from various micro encapsulation processes require unique handling that differs from a typical filtration and drying operation. Following the synthesis stage, microspheres have to be washed, classified by size, filtered then dried under appropriate conditions to obtain the final free flowing injectable or inhalation microsphere product.
Microspheres are random in size and need to be filtered and classified into the micron size range desired before drying. PSL technology has been designed to meet these criteria from washing to classifying and drying.
With PSL’s unique design, utilising side and bottom filtration, size classification is readily achieved, being the most difficult task associated with microsphere delivery devices production. Microsphere formulation processes require sterility, so PSL solutions have been designed with Steam-In-Place and drainability capabilities.
'It is an honour to be recognised by Achema with one of the mechanical process industry’s most prestigious awards,' said Amanda Pitcher, PSL’s Managing Director. 'This award is another milestone in our international growth and constant thirst for innovation.
'Within a couple of weeks, our business received two major awards and has been nominated to represent Britain as an export success. We are proud of the quality services we are providing to the top pharmaceutical groups, supporting them in bringing new generation drugs into the marketplace faster, using the latest technology in containment and production equipment.'
PSL team at the E3 Business Awards Ceremony at the Macron Stadium in Bolton. From left to right: PSL’s John Quinn, Diana Woodruff, Karen Pitcher and MD, Amanda Pitcher with Lynn Shaw from UK Trade & Investment
On the 11 June 2015, PSL was awarded Best International Company of the Year by the renowned North West E3 Business Award. The Awards set out to recognise businesses that have shown a real investment in Enterprise, Education & Employment (E3), and acknowledge PSL’s continuous efforts towards its global client base with exports accounting for 95% of its growing turnover.
PSL’s export success was also noticed by the Maria Eagle. Member of Parliament for the Garston and Halewood constituency, who nominated the company as part of the Exported By Britain campaign launched by the APMG (All-Party Parliamentary Manufacturing Group) and the APDIG (All-Party Parliamentary Design and Innovation Group) in 2015.
'I am nominating PSL for their Advanced Process Equipment as they have an excellent reputation locally, nationally and internationally. They have operations in countries around the world, including the UK, USA, Europe, India and Australia,' she said. 'Powder Systems have received awards recognising their excellent work. Their activities are continuously growing in Britain and abroad. Working with many of the world’s leading pharmaceutical brands including Pfizer, Teva and GSK, they are a fantastic ambassador for British business and innovation.'
