CONCLUSION
Stainless steel continues to lead the way for mass-production drugs and fixed-system approaches. Disposables equipment has
moved into the biotechnology–pharmaceutical mainstream. Only 3% of biopharmaceutical manufacturers use no disposables today,
according to the Third Annual Report on Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Capacity and Production, issued in June 2005 by BioPlan.
Additionally, the Biopharm Miram Murge Study estimated capitol costs reduction of 40% by single use systems. This trend is
expected to continue as the industry evolves into a more pragmatic approach to regionalized and smaller-dose drugs. The need
for lighter and more efficient components and systems will become increasingly important as quick changeover and low costs
move to the forefront. The PVDF fluoropolymer alternative has continued to gain acceptance as a single fluid contact surface
as it offers biopharm engineers the advantage of reduced risk and a universal polymer-system approach.
Gary M. Dennis is market manager for highpurity fluropolymer resins, Charles Weidner is a business development manager, and Saeid Zerafati is a senior research engineer, all at Arkeme Inc., 900 First Avenue, King of Prussia, PA 19406. tel., 610.205.7535 gary.dennis@arkeme.com
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