Innovation, quality and commitment to sustainability
Rioja Nature Pharma is a Spanish laboratory based in Arnedo. It specialises in the customised development and manufacturing of nutritional supplements, foods for special medical use and dietary products for third parties. Founded in Calahorra in 2007, it has established itself as a leader in Spain and internationally, collaborating with major companies in the pharmaceutical and dietary sectors.
The company is committed to continuous innovation and incorporates leading technology. Also, they are anticipating trends in the nutraceutical market thanks to its multidisciplinary team of pharmacists, engineers and biochemists. This team supports each project from design to registration and commercialisation, fostering relationships built on trust. The manufactured formulations are backed by scientific evidence. It focuses on efficacy and consumer safety while respecting the environment through the use of natural sources, sustainable materials, and efficient resource management.
Rioja Nature Pharma offers a comprehensive service including design, pharmaceutical development, format selection, packaging, European registration and ongoing legal support. A wide variety of pharmaceutical presentations are available, including hard and soft capsules, monolayer and bilayer tablets, single-dose sachets, sticks, powders, liquid syringes, vials, syrups, gummies and blister packs, as well as biodegradable formats. Automated technologies, including machine vision, guarantee precision and control at every stage of the process.
The challenge: space limitations, format changes, and quality issues
At Hispack 2017 trade fair, Rioja Nature Pharma’s production director and founding partner visited us. They wanted to learn about our company and the container unscrambling technology we supply. The smallest machine in our portfolio particularly impressed them during the visit. The MICRA 100 is a bottle feeding module from our InLine series that has been specifically designed for pharmaceutical manufacturers.
They explained that they had a rotary container orienter that was causing various problems with format changes and container quality. After a brief explanation, they understood the benefits that Packfeeder’s InLine technology could bring to their packaging line.
In the following months, the Packfeeder team visited the Calahorra factory to assess the significant challenges posed by the layout and available space. The existing line was cramped within the cleanroom and there was very little possibility of replacing the centrifugal system. The visit also proved crucial in determining the range of PET vial formats that the equipment would need to handle.
Following the visit, the technical-economic proposal phase was carried out in detail, covering all the installation requirements to ensure the Packfeeder solution would fit correctly with the client’s production processes. The collaboration agreement was finally reached in October 2018.
Implementation of inLine technology
The Packfeeder operations team then took over, executing the project based on a standardised process using a MICRA 100 model of standard equipment. They successfully met the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) commitment in the presence of the founding partner and production manager. Following the straightforward installation of the Packfeeder equipment at the customer’s plant, the bottle unscrambler is now operating at full capacity. It supplies the production line with the required containers, enabling the customer’s team of operators to work more efficiently, particularly with regard to format changes and overall line operations.
The team has functioned properly ever since, to the extent that, when Rioja Nature Pharma moved to its new facilities, they once again relied on Packfeeder’s experience and technology to equip themselves for the new jar line project.
Production capacity has doubled compared to the first automatic container feeder project in this case, thus supporting RNP in scaling its business through manufacturing, which continues to expand year after year. Interestingly, the second Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) took place during a Spanish power outage. The equipment was so technically simple and had such low power consumption that it was able to proceed despite the inconvenience, making it a memorable day and FAT.
Packfeeder as a technology partner for efficient pharma bottle unscrambling
Our inLine technology solved the problems of space, format change, quality and air consumption presented by the client’s previous equipment. In this case, as the project was for the pharmaceutical sector, the design, ease of access and visibility of the entire process were key to providing the client with a solution that met their expectations.
If you’re facing space constraints in your packaging rooms and production lines, or need format changeover equipment that can be easily operated by your team, our technology can solve these and other common challenges. Our technicians and experts are available to discuss your requirements in detail and recommend the most suitable container orientation solution. Whether you need mechanical bottle unscrambling technology or more advanced and complex alternatives for sorting containers made of any material and in any shape for any industry.
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