Product news
More than 99 percent yield, less filtration, without SIP and CIP: GEA presents new single-use pharmaceutical separator kytero®.
22 Aug 2022
GEA World premiere: With the kytero® 2000 Single-Use Pharma Separator, GEA presents another single-use centrifuge with the proven technology of the large GEA Pharma centrifuges at ACHEMA 2022 in Frankfurt. The pharmaceutical specialist is thus once again fulfilling the wishes of its renowned global pharmaceutical customers for a single-use machine that excels in terms of high yield, ease of operation and compactness. The kytero is ready for production in just a few minutes. Filter areas can be saved by up to 75 percent. The system requires only a conventional power connection; intermediate tanks are a thing of the past. CIP (clean-in-place) and SIP (sterilize-in-place) are eliminated thanks to the simple exchange concept.
GEA presents the new single-use pharmaceutical separator kytero® at ACHEMA 2022. (Photo: GEA)
While the kytero ® 500, which is in high demand worldwide, was a machine for research and development and small-scale production, the kytero® 2000 is suitable for pilot-scale and production applications, such as cell harvesting. The kytero® 2000 processes mammalian cell cultures from 150 to 500 liters per hour and E.coli from 30 to 120 liters per hour. At just over 99 percent for mammalian cells, the yield is very high.
With the kytero® series, GEA engineers have now succeeded in making single-use separators with disc stack technology available to manufacturers in the single-use process. The proven technology of the large steel separators is characterized by its high efficiency, gentle production process, fast processing and compactness.
Reduction of filter areas by up to 75 percent possible
In contrast to filtration, centrifugation does not separate the medium by means of filter media (filter plates and filter cloths), but by utilizing the centrifugal force that occurs in conjunction with a disk pack for increased clarification efficiency. The mobile "Plug & Produce" unit kytero© with minimal footprint fits easily into any production room and laboratories.
The proven GEA feed system guarantees particularly gentle product treatment. The vitality of shear-sensitive products is preserved. Product runs and scientific investigations at the ZHAW School of Engineering in Zurich have confirmed this.
100 percent biocontainment
With the single-use separator, all parts in contact with the product are replaced after use, preventing any cross-contamination without the need for cleaning and sterilization. The frictionless drive system provides 100 percent biocontainment by eliminating the need for seals or mechanical bearings. Set-up and changeover time (only five to ten minutes for preparation) is minimal. No utilities such as water, buffers or tanks are required. Changing single-use parts is very easy using aseptic connector systems. The design of the aseptic connector system makes the exchange of single-use components fast and very easy.
The elimination of CIP and SIP processes eliminates not only labor, but also the cost of chemicals, ultrapure water and energy.
Sophisticated drive system ensures low noise level
GEA engineers have developed an unprecedented drive for kytero®: GEA breezeDrive®. This frictionless drive system ensures that no contamination of the product can occur, as the system completely dispenses with a conventional drive with spindle, mechanical seal, and mechanical bearing.
The noise level is very low at less than 69 dBA due to the newly developed breezeDrive® drive system.
The unavoidable temperature increase of the product during centrifugation is minimal at less than two degrees.
GEA provides test machines
GEA provides test machines. Interested parties can obtain information and register at the web address www.gea.com/kytero.
Contact
Dr. Michael Golek
Media Relations
GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft
Ulmenstrasse 99
40476
Düsseldorf
Germany
+49 211 9136-0
About GEA
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.
