Color-perfect, efficient, environment-friendly tablet production

• BASF presents an innovative modular system for manufacture of colored tablet coatings
• Shorter coating process saves money and spares the environment
• Reliable colors; minimized logistics effort

Distinctive coloring, robust and rapidly soluble: a new BASF tablet coating system enables individual, on-site production of tablet coatings in countless shades from only seven basic colors. A combination of the tried and tested water-soluble BASF IR film former Kollicoat^® with a new production process and novel color concept makes tablet coating production more efficient.

Its excellent processing properties are what make the polymer so special: Kollicoat IR has low viscosity and allows a shorter spray process because it can accommodate high concentrations of solids. As a result, pharmaceutical manufacturers cut their energy bills and spare the environment by reducing CO₂ emissions in the production process. Other benefits: the granules are dust-free and have excellent flowability, which greatly simplifies handling during the production process. The BASF coating system module consists of just seven basic colors which are combined to produce the desired color. Hence, tablet manufacturers can optimize their inventories and the supply chain benefits from less complexity.

Kollicoat IR is a graft copolymer composed of polyethylene glycol and polyvinyl alcohol. It is extremely flexible and does not require additional plasticizer. The polymer dissolves rapidly in the stomach, resulting in prompt release of the active substance and rapid onset of action after the tablet is swallowed.

Since elderly people in particular may have difficulty telling tablets apart, more and more pharmaceutical manufacturers are starting to package active substances in colored tablets. A striking color supports and enhances treatment compliance and also prevents mix-ups during tablet production.

More information is available on our website at www.coating-systems.basf.com.

A press photos can be found at www.basf.com/pressphoto-database  under the keyword “BASF SE” and the search term “Pharma Solutions”.

About BASF’s business unit Pharma Ingredients & Services

BASF produces and markets a broad range of active ingredients and excipients, as well as exclusive synthesis services for the pharmaceutical industry. These products are made using the latest technologies, to the highest quality standards and in compliance with cGMP guidelines. Further information can be found at www.pharma-ingredients.basf.com.

About BASF

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals and oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €62 billion in 2008 and had approximately 97,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

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