Who is Almac Pharma Services?

Almac Pharma is a leading global pharmaceutical and biotechnology outsourcing partner. With a heritage spanning over half a century, the company employs more than 1,600 skilled professionals across sites in the UK, Europe, and North America. Its comprehensive services include drug development, manufacturing, clinical packaging, commercial launches, and worldwide distribution, serving clients in over 70 countries.

A Decade-Long Collaboration with Akona

Since 2010, Almac Pharma Services has partnered with Akona Process Solutions, specifically leveraging the capabilities of blending and sifting equipment. Over the years, this partnership has evolved from initial installations to large-scale investments, thanks to Akona’s ability to provide standardized, scalable designs that align with Almac’s rigorous process requirements. Our deep understanding of Almac’s systems and operational standards has made Akona a reliable engineering partner for continuous growth and innovation.

Almac Pharma Service Facility Expansion

As part of its global strategy to expand capacity, Almac recently completed a major facility expansion at its headquarters in Craigavon, Northern Ireland. The 32,000 sq. ft. building was designed to accommodate increased manufacturing and packaging volumes, particularly for sachet drug products. Key features of the expansion include additional blending suites, automated packaging lines, and enhanced quality control testing capabilities.

One of the central objectives of this project was to address the growing global demand for sachet drug products, without compromising quality or process efficiency.

Tailored Processing Solutions from Akona

To meet the new production demands, Almac invested in upgraded blending and sifting equipment from Akona, including:

• MO-B-V Centrifugal Sifters (x2) – Designed for high-throughput screening of powders and granulates, these sifters provide continuous operation for both dry and moist materials.
• 400L V-Cone Blenders (x2) – Ideal for sensitive or abrasive materials, these units offer gentle mixing with minimal residual buildup and superior discharge efficiency.
• 4200L Double-Cone Blenders (x2) – Built for large-batch tumble blending, these machines deliver uniform mixes with low maintenance requirements, aligning with cGMP expectations.

All equipment met strict ATEX, CE, and GMP compliance criteria and featured redesigned control systems to support audit trails and data integrity. Key factors in regulated pharmaceutical environments. Integration with site-wide digital infrastructure (LDAP) and support for additional processing routes were also implemented to future-proof the setup.

Installation and Commissioning

The installation phase was carefully coordinated to ensure minimal disruption and timely execution. A thorough on-site assessment preceded the process, and any emerging challenges were resolved promptly. Commissioning was completed on schedule, with the new systems becoming fully operational as planned.

Proven Mixing and Centrifugal Sifter Results

Since commissioning, the new equipment has delivered consistent performance in multiple key areas:

• Operational Reliability – Equipment uptime has remained high, ensuring steady production cycles.
• Process Accuracy – The systems deliver precise, repeatable mixing and sifting, meeting the tight tolerances required for pharmaceutical-grade materials.
• Ease of Use – Intuitive interfaces and user-friendly controls help operators work efficiently, while reducing training and error potential.
• Low Maintenance – Designed for quick cleaning and service access, the equipment reduces downtime and boosts productivity.

Long-Term Vision and Ongoing Partnership

Almac continues to maintain a strong working relationship with Akona Process Solutions. Regular communication, responsive support, and shared expertise are the hallmarks of this collaboration. Looking ahead, Almac plans to further engage Akona for future expansion projects, confident in the proven quality and adaptability of their solutions.

“Our collaboration with Akona has been valuable. Their understanding of our needs and their ability to deliver high-quality, reliable equipment has enabled us to significantly enhance our manufacturing capabilities. We look forward to continuing this successful partnership as we expand and innovate to meet the growing demands of our global clients.”

Wayne McCarten, Technical Specialist, Almac Pharma Services

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