Pharmaceutical low shear extruder
Optimize your pharmaceutical pellet production with precision-controlled extrusion, ensuring consistent pellet density and minimizing temperature impact during processing.

The NICA Extruder System, offered by GEA, excels in the pharmaceutical industry for creating precise and uniform spherical pellets and granules. This radial basket extruder operates with low shear, making it ideal for sensitive pharmaceutical applications. Utilizing a radial design with dual rotors, it efficiently processes wet mass into an extrudable paste through a cylindrical screen, ensuring consistent product density and quality. Suitable for both batch and continuous production, the NICA system is adaptable through a range of screen and impeller options, promoting flexibility and precision in product compaction. Capable of handling varying throughput—from the E100 model integrated into GEA’s IPS5 system for small-scale work, to the E220 model scaling up production fourfold—this series meets diverse production needs.
Designed for integration into full pellet production lines, it connects seamlessly with upstream granulation and downstream spheronization and drying processes. The extruder’s energy-efficient variable-speed drives help reduce operational costs while maintaining optimal product treatment and temperature control. Constructed from durable materials and available with CIP systems, the NICA Extruder ensures compliance with GMP standards, guaranteeing quick and thorough cleaning to avoid contamination. As a versatile and robust solution, it is indispensable for pharmaceutical manufacturers targeting high-quality extrudate production, from coated tablets to controlled-release drug pellets.
Benefits
- Enhances product quality with precise and consistent pellet formation.
- Increases production flexibility with adaptable screen and impeller configurations.
- Optimizes operational efficiency through reduced energy consumption and low product hold-up.
- Ensures rapid batch turnover and scalability with both batch and continuous operations.
- Minimizes contamination risk with easy-to-clean design and CIP capabilities.
- Applications
- Supplements,Pharmaceutical pellets,Pharmaceutical tablets,Nutraceuticals,Pharmaceuticals
- End products
- Coated tablets,Nutraceutical granules,Supplement pellets,Controlled-release drug pellets,Spherical pharmaceutical pellets
- Steps before
- Granulation,Wet Mass Preparation
- Steps after
- Spheronization,Drying,Pelletizing
- Input ingredients
- wet mass,sensitive products
- Output ingredients
- extrudable paste,spherical pellets
- Extrusion Speed
- 0.1–8 kg/min
- Extrusion Type
- Radial basket-type
- Rotor Type
- Dual rotor system
- Production Capability
- 500 g (batch) up to 2 kg/min (continuous)
- Batch vs. Continuous
- Batch or Continuous
- Machine Sizes
- E100,E140,E220
- Screen Options
- Multiple hole diameters and thicknesses
- Temperature Control
- Low temperature increase during extrusion
- Speed Control
- Variable speed drives
- Compression Type
- Plug-flow regime
- Working Mechanism
- Radial basket-type with dual rotors
- Batch vs. Continuous Operation
- Batch / Inline Continuous
- Integrated Steps
- Extrusion and Spheronization
- Plug Flow Design
- First in,first out
- Automation Level
- Variable speed drives
- Cleaning Method
- Easy to dismantle and clean
- Abrasion resistance
- Yes
- Biological compatibility
- Yes
- Cleanability
- Easy to dismantle and clean
- Density/particle size
- Varies,compatible with pharmaceutical wet mass
- Corrosive resistance (e.g. acids)
- Suitable for non-corrosive materials
- Machine footprint
- Compact design
- Basket type
- Radial basket-type
- Rotor type
- Single (E100) / Double (E140,E220)
- Feed method
- Gravity fed
- Discharge method
- Plug flow
- Material handling
- Low temperature
- Expandable screen options
- Variety of diameters and thicknesses
- Equipment integration
- Standalone or integrated
- Integration possibilities
- Standalone / Integrated with IPS system
- Screen Options
- Multiple hole diameters / wall thicknesses
- Rotor Speed Control
- Variable speed drives
- Installation Configuration
- Free-standing / Through-the-wall
- Market info
- GEA is known for its expertise in engineering innovative and sustainable equipment and solutions, focusing on sectors such as food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and energy, with a reputation for quality, efficiency, and advanced technological applications in industrial processing.