The Benefits of Using Stainless-Steel Vessels for the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industries

The Benefits of Using Stainless-Steel Vessels for the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industries

Using stainless steel manufactured vessels brings an array of advantages and makes the production process much easier and more cost effective for the user. We most commonly see stainless steel vessels being used in chemical, food and beverage, medical and pharmaceutical processing facilities where rigid quality and hygiene controls are of the utmost importance to avoid any contamination.

Spectac International have a proven track record of delivering the highest quality pharmaceutical solutions and have over two decades of experience in delivering innovative stainless-steel vessels that enable companies to produce the best pharmaceutical products.

Our highly skilled workforce enables us to provide our customers with a range of specialist services. Our comprehensive range of capabilities include:

What is stainless steel?

Stainless steel is used for products that must be resistant to corrosion. As per the definition by the British Stainless Steel Association, “Stainless steel is an alloy of Iron with a minimum of 10.5% Chromium. Chromium produces a thin layer of oxide on the surface of the steel known as the ‘passive layer’. This prevents any further corrosion of the surface.” Other alloying elements are often added to enhance the structure and properties of the metal, these include copper, nickel, molybdenum and titanium.

In addition to being highly resistant to corrosion there are many other benefits of using stainless steel such as:

fire and heat resistance,
resistance to impact even at extreme temperature variations,
ease of maintenance and cleaning,
its hygienic, non-porous surface,
its aesthetic appearance,
its durability, making it the least expensive choice when it comes to a life cycle cost comparison.

What are the benefits of stainless steel for pharma?

Year after year the popularity of stainless steel continues to grow within the pharmaceutical industry. The main reason for this is that it fits the criteria established in the industry for the requirements of industry-specific products.

Due to its non-porous surface meaning that if can be very easily cleaned as well as its high corrosion resistance, even at elevated pressures and temperatures, stainless steel is particularly advantageous for the pharmaceutical market where strict hygiene control is necessary.

There are mainly four types of stainless steel used in pharmaceutical equipment manufacturing: 304, 304L, 316 and 316L; the latter being the predominate metal used. This is the primary type of stainless steel that we at Spectac International fabricate our vessels and tanks with. Take a read through this article for a more detailed breakdown on the different types of stainless steel used in pharmaceuticals.

At Spectac International, we supply a wide range of products for various uses, which are:

Aseptic Vessels

These are high quality vessels that facilitate the sterilisation of vessels after each batch is handled and before the next batch is processed, thereby eliminating the risk of bacterial growth. Used in the Pharma, Chemical and Biotech sectors, often to handle ointments, drugs or food/drink.

Bio-Reactors

Bio-reactors handle batches of materials which are acidic and highly corrosive, such as chemicals in the Chemical and Pharma sector. Each vessel is custom designed depending on the handling requirement, location and other key criteria.

Clean-in Place Vessels

Clean-in-place (CIP) vessels offer substantial advantages to manufacturing facilities, from efficient and reliable cleaning of process equipment and piping at lower cost to improved product quality.

De-Ionised Water Storage Tanks

By removing impurities and producing de-ionised water, these stainless-steel tanks ensure maximum service and high-quality output for the user.

Fermenting Vessels

High quality and hygienic standards for our bespoke fermenting vessels (also can be known as Uni-tanks). We produce superior finished tanks that are factory tested in-house at Spectac International.

Holding Tanks

For safe and proper storage, chemical and pharmaceutical companies employ us to design and produce their holding vessels. We ensure that all our holding vessels meet all legal and health requirements.

Mixing Tanks

Mixing tanks produced by us are all manufactured to order. Our stainless-steel tanks are manufactured to specific customer requirements and CAD drawings are used to ensure all specifications are met.

Shell and Tubes

Accurate temperature controls and energy efficient heating of the materials is essential. Shell and tubes are usually built to handle drugs, ointments and chemical mixes.

Skid Units

Skid-units are designed for short-term processing and are mobile to move easily around the facility, to be used as required. They usually combine a mix of vessels, pumps and heat exchangers on a suitable platform.

With over 25 years of experience in stainless steel fabrication, our inhouse fabrication skills are second to none. We have delivered projects successfully for the following companies:

Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a unique, global pharmaceutical company and a leader in a new industry model. We supplied Allergan with small holding tanks for product.

Norbrook is one of the largest, family owned, veterinary pharmaceutical companies in the world. We supplied Norbrook with mixing tank for medicine.

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is an American manufacturer and marketer of prestige skincare, makeup, fragrance and hair care products. We provided Estée Lauder with mixing and holding tanks for product.

Bimeda® is a leading global manufacturer, marketer and distributor of animal health products and veterinary. We supplied Bimeda® with specialised mixing tanks for product.

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