Trade press release
July 10, 2024

ConsiGma® DB modules offer standalone continuous dosing and blending operations, either using a ribbon blender or a linear blender. (Photo: GEA)
To dispel the common myths that #GoingConti is overly complex and expensive, Hovione and GEA Pharma & Healthcare recently announced an industry first collaboration that holds great promise for the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector. Together, the two companies aim to significantly increase the adoption of continuous manufacturing by providing enhanced capacity, flexibility, standardized equipment, improved quality and increased efficiency.
Based on a successful customer-supplier relationship spanning several years, the collaboration combines GEA’s engineering expertise with Hovione's development and manufacturing experience. At the time, GEA Pharma & Healthcare’s Phillip Gabb, Strategic Business Director, Pharma Solid Dosage, noted: “Continuous manufacturing systems allow for leaner and risk-reduced development paths, leaner supply chains, increased built-in quality and, in general, manufacturing processes that are more flexible and less complex. In the context of this strategic collaboration, Hovione and GEA will combine their strengths to further advance the technology and contribute to the establishment of higher standards and new levels of market acceptance.”
For example, the ConsiGma® CDC Flex (patent pending) has been designed as a truly versatile system that can operate seamlessly in both continuous and batch modes, offering both high and low throughput functionality.
With a focus on user-friendliness, the ConsiGma® range will be further augmented with new developments to simplify routine operations, introduce automated workflows, and Smart control interfaces. This will empower operators to streamline production processes.
“We believe that continuous tableting can offer significant benefits to our customers, not only by expediting time-to-market and reducing development and manufacturing costs but also by improving product quality and sustainability,” commented Filipe Gaspar, Vice President of Technology Intensification at Hovione. “Through our collaboration with GEA, we aim to revolutionize the continuous production of oral solid dosage forms, making the technology more accessible and efficient for pharma customers.”
#TalkingPharma
GEA is one of the world’s largest suppliers of systems and components to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.
The international technology group, founded in 1881, focuses on machinery and plants, as well as advanced process technology, components and comprehensive services. For instance, every second pharma separator for essential healthcare products such as vaccines or novel biopharmaceuticals is produced by GEA. In food, every fourth package of pasta or every third chicken nugget are processed with GEA technology.
With more than 18,000 employees, the group generated sales of about EUR 5.5 billion in more than 150 countries in the 2025 fiscal year. GEA plants, processes, components and services enhance the efficiency and sustainability of customers’ production. They contribute significantly to the reduction of CO2 emissions, plastic usage and food waste. In doing so, GEA makes a key contribution toward a sustainable future, in line with the company’s purpose: ”Engineering for a better world.”
GEA is listed on the German MDAX, the European STOXX® Europe 600 Index and is also a constituent of the leading sustainability indices DAX 50 ESG, MSCI Global Sustainability and Dow Jones Best-in-Class World.