Pharmaceutical Granulation Equipment
Granulation is the process that determines whether your tablet or capsule succeeds or fails. Under-granulated powder causes weight variation and capping; over-granulated material becomes too dense to compress. Getting granulation right — particle size, bulk density, flowability, compressibility — requires equipment engineered precisely for your formulation and process.
Canaan supplies a complete pharmaceutical granulation equipment range: high shear wet granulation, dry granulation via roller compactor, fluid-bed granulation and drying, milling, and hot-melt extrusion — covering every granulation technology used in modern solid dosage manufacturing.
25 L → 1,500 L
High Shear Mixer Range
From R&D bench scale to full commercial production — one platform, consistent granulation parameters across scale.
Solvent-free
Dry Granulation Option
Roller compactor dry granulation — no water, no drying step, no thermal degradation. Ideal for moisture-sensitive and heat-sensitive APIs.
4-in-1
Fluid-bed Multifunctionality
FZ Series fluid-bed handles mixing, drying, granulating, and coating in a single contained unit — reducing equipment footprint and cleaning cycles.
cGMP / FDA
Compliant by Design
All granulation equipment complies with cGMP, PIC/S GMP, and FDA requirements, with WIP/CIP and full IQ/OQ/PQ documentation support.
Which Granulation Method Is Right for Your Formulation?
The choice of granulation technology depends on your API's physical and chemical properties, your target granule characteristics, and your production scale. Use this guide to identify the right starting point.
| Granulation Method | Best For | Avoid When | Canaan Equipment |
|---|
| Wet Granulation (High Shear) | Poorly compressible powders; APIs needing improved flowability; standard tablet / capsule production | Moisture-sensitive APIs; heat-sensitive formulations | LHS Series High Shear Mixer |
| Dry Granulation (Roller Compactor) | Moisture-sensitive APIs; heat-sensitive APIs; effervescent tablets; reduced processing steps | Very low dose APIs requiring precise content uniformity via wet process | LGP / LGC / LGS / LGX Series |
| Fluid-bed Granulation / Drying | Simultaneous granulation + drying in one unit; coating and pelletizing; uniform particle size | Very high bulk density materials; APIs sensitive to air flow | FZ Series Fluid-bed |
| Hot-melt Extrusion | Poorly soluble APIs (BCS Class II/IV); sustained-release formulations; amorphous solid dispersions | APIs with very low melting points or thermal instability at extrusion temperatures | JR Series HME Line |
| Post-granulation Milling | Breaking up agglomerates after fluid-bed or wet granulation; controlling final granule size distribution | — | ZLT / ZL Series Mill |
Granulation Equipment Range
Canaan's granulation lineup covers every technology from wet to dry, bench to commercial scale. Each product series is available with cGMP-compliant documentation and factory acceptance testing (FAT) support.
LHS Series High Shear Mixer
Wet granulation · 25 L – 1,500 L · One-step mixing + granulating
The LHS Series high shear mixer completes mixing, binder charging, and granulation in a single vessel — eliminating intermediate transfer steps and reducing contamination risk. The tangential impeller drives axial, radial, and tangential material flow for uniform powder blending, while the chopper cuts soft mass into controlled-size granules.
Available from 25 L lab scale to 1,500 L commercial production, with PLC program control, variable frequency drives, and multiple charging modes (vacuum / lifter / manual). WIP system standard.
Technical Specifications
| Model | Nominal Vol. (L) | Feed Qty (L) | Impeller Power (kW) | Impeller Speed (r/min) | Granulation Power (kW) | Granulation Speed (r/min) |
|---|
| LHS25 | 25 | 10–20 | 2.2 | 20–200 | 1.1 | 1000–2000 |
| LHS50 | 50 | 20–40 | 4 | 20–200 | 2.2 | 1000–2000 |
| LHS100 | 100 | 40–80 | 11 | 20–200 | 4 | 1000–2000 |
| LHS200 | 200 | 80–160 | 18.5 | 15–175 | 5.5 | 1000–2000 |
| LHS300 | 300 | 120–240 | 22 | 15–175 | 7.5 | 1000–2000 |
| LHS600 | 600 | 240–480 | 45 | 15–175 | 11 | 1000–2000 |
| LHS1000 | 1000 | 400–800 | 55 | 10–120 | 15 | 1000–2000 |
| LHS1500 | 1500 | 600–1200 | 75 | 10–100 | 2×18.5 | 1000–2000 |
Full range: LHS25 / 50 / 75 / 100 / 150 / 200 / 300 / 400 / 500 / 600 / 800 / 1000 / 1200 / 1500. Contact us for intermediate models.
Best for: tablet wet granulation · capsule granulation · nutraceutical powder blending · one-step mixing + granulating
View LHS Series DetailsFZ Series Fluid-bed Granulator / Dryer
Fluid-bed granulation · Top / bottom / side spray · Mixing · Drying · Coating · Pelletizing
The FZ Series is a multi-functional fluid-bed processor that completes mixing, drying, granulating, coating, and pelletizing in a single contained vessel. Material powder is fluidized by heated air, then binder is atomized through the spray gun to agglomerate particles — producing granules with improved porosity, reduced bulk density, uniform size, and excellent flowability.
Supports top spray, bottom spray, and side spray configurations. Process control by time, volume, or power. PID precision temperature control. Movable design with filter cartridge dust containment.
✓ Top / bottom / side spray
✓ PID precision control
✓ R&D and scale-up ready
✓ cGMP / PIC/S / FDA
✓ Movable design
✓ Small footprint
FZ Series Technical Specifications
| Parameter | FZ10 | FZ20 | FZ30 | FZ60 | FZ120 | FZ200 | FZ300 | FZ500 |
|---|
| Container Dia. (mm) | 800 | 1000 | 1000 | 1200 | 1400 | 1600 | 1800 | 2000 |
| Container Vol. (L) | 29 | 59 | 86 | 166 | 370 | 634 | 870 | 1504 |
| Granulating Cap. (kg/batch) | 4–10 | 7–20 | 10–30 | 20–60 | 40–120 | 70–200 | 100–300 | 170–500 |
| Yield (%) | 98 |
| Inlet Air Flow (m³/h) | 1000 | 2000 | 2000 | 3500 | 5500 | 7000 | 8500 | 10000 |
| Fan Power (kW) | 11 | 11 | 11 | 18.5 | 30 | 30 | 45 | 55 |
| Weight (kg) | 1400 | 1500 | 1500 | 1900 | 2400 | 2800 | 3200 | 3600 |
Steam pressure: 0.4–0.6 MPa across all models. Compressed air: 0.4–0.7 MPa. Chilled water option available (6–8°C).
Best for: fluid-bed wet granulation · spray drying · tablet coating · pellet coating · nutraceutical processing
View FZ Series DetailsRoller Compactor Series — Dry Granulation
LGP · LGC · LGS · LGX — solvent-free · moisture-sensitive API compatible · cGMP
Canaan's roller compactor range compresses powder directly into compact slabs using high-pressure rollers, then mills the slabs into uniform granules — with no water, no solvents, and no drying step required. This makes dry granulation the preferred choice for moisture-sensitive and heat-sensitive APIs, effervescent formulations, and any application where reducing processing steps improves product stability.
LGP Series — Standard Roller Compactor
Dual-screw feeding system with vacuum for improved density and yield. Three-side adjustable scraper (US Patent). Fully dismantlable contact parts for easy cleaning. Casting extrusion box for roller precision under pressure.
| Model | LGP150/50II | Granule Fineness | 10–80 mesh |
| Feeding Capacity | 1–100 kg/h (lactose) | Roller Pressure | 4 T/cm² |
| Motor Power | 8.9 kW | Weight | 1,200 kg |
Customizable configurations available.
View LGP Details →LGC Series — Servo Roller Compactor (Hercules-85)
Two-stage granulation system (pre-fabricated + final granulation) for high-quality granulates with minimal undersized particles. IPC-based HMI for easy operation. Unique horizontal + vertical feeding synchronisation prevents blockage.
| Roller Dia. | 250 mm | Max Capacity | 400 kg/h |
| Roller Width | 85 mm | Press Force | 1–20 KN/cm |
| Press Gap | 0.1–7.0 mm | Power | 25 kW |
| Material | AISI 316L | Machine Weight | 1,600 kg |
View LGC Details →LGS Series — Servo Roller Compactor (Hercules-100)
Designed for large-yield granulation, particularly suited for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) processing. High rigidity, large capacity, fully cleanable. Modular disassembly for production convenience.
View LGS Details →LGX Series — Roller Compactor
High-efficiency granulating equipment essential for variable active drug production. Dual-screw feeding with vacuum. Three-side adjustable scraper (US Patent). Particularly suited for thermosensitive and humidity-sensitive drugs.
View LGX Details →* Roller compactor specifications (roller diameter, compaction force, output) available on request — contact us with your throughput and granule size targets.
Best for: moisture-sensitive APIs · heat-sensitive formulations · effervescent tablets · TCM granulation · reduced processing steps
ZLT / ZL Series Pharmaceutical Mill
Post-granulation milling · Agglomerate breaking · GMP · Movable design
Both ZLT (lifting mill) and ZL (vacuum mill) series are designed to break agglomerated granules after wet granulation or fluid-bed processing, producing uniform, qualified granules ready for tablet compression or capsule filling. Widely used in pharmaceutical, chemical, and food industries.
ZLT Series — Lifting Mill
Integrated stationary lifting + vacuum conveying + milling. Granules from fluid-bed chamber are vacuum-transferred directly into the mill — closed transfer, no dust, no manual handling. Movable casters with adjustable height.
| Model | Capacity (kg/h) | Power (kW) | Weight (kg) |
|---|
| ZLT100 | 100 | 0.75 | 310 |
| ZLT200 | 200 | 1.1 | 320 |
| ZLT450 | 450 | 3 | 400 |
| ZLT700 | 700 | 4 | 600 |
| ZLT1000 | 1000 | 5.5 | 700 |
Screen mesh: 5–30. All models GMP compliant.
View ZLT Details →ZL Series — Vacuum Mill
Frame + milling system + control system. Movable casters with height adjustment. Avoids dust and cross-contamination. GMP compliant.
| Model | Capacity (kg/h) | Speed (rpm) | Power (kW) | Weight (kg) |
|---|
| ZL200 | 20–200 | 0–900 | 1.1 | 60 |
| ZL450 | 45–450 | 300–900 | 3 | 270 |
View ZL Details →Best for: post-granulation size correction · agglomerate breaking · integration with fluid-bed lines
JR Series Hot Melt Extrusion (HME) Line
Amorphous solid dispersion · Poorly soluble APIs · Sustained release · Solvent-free continuous process
Hot-melt extrusion (HME) is a continuous, solvent-free process technology for improving the bioavailability of poorly soluble APIs (BCS Class II and IV) and preparing sustained-release formulations. The API and polymer-based carrier are co-extruded at elevated temperature, creating an amorphous solid dispersion with significantly improved dissolution rate.
The JR Series production line consists of a hot-melt extruder, feeder, slurry feeder, and pulverizer. Stage-by-stage temperature-controlled barrel with threaded elements performs feeding, melting, mixing, and die extrusion in sequence. The pulverizer completes continuous cooling, solidification, and size reduction of the extrudate.
✓ Continuous process
✓ Solvent-free
✓ Online parameter monitoring
✓ High repeatability
✓ Fewer process steps
✓ GMP / cGMP / FDA / CE
JR Series Technical Specifications
| Parameter | JR8 | JR16 | JR18 | JR20 | JR25 | JR34 |
|---|
| Screw Diameter (mm) | 8 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 25 | 33.4 |
| Aspect Ratio (L/D) | 20 | 20/30 | 20/30/40 | 27 | 20/30/40 | 40 |
| Max Speed (rpm) | 300 | 600 | 600 | 600 | 1000 | 739 |
| Torque (N·m) | 6 | 15 | 32 | 35.8 | 100 | 140 |
| Max Power (kW) | 0.5 | 2 | 5 | 6.5 | 25 | 37 |
| Productivity (kg/h) | 0.005–0.05 | 0.02–2 | 0.05–5 | 0.5–10 | 5–20 | 100–200 |
* Multiple aspect ratios per model available. Contact us for configuration suited to your formulation.
Best for: BCS Class II/IV APIs · amorphous solid dispersions · sustained-release formulations · low-solubility drug bioavailability enhancement
View JR Series DetailsFAQ — Pharmaceutical Granulation Equipment
●What is the difference between wet granulation and dry granulation?
Wet granulation uses a liquid binder to agglomerate powder particles in a high shear mixer or fluid-bed, followed by a drying step. It produces strong, well-shaped granules and is the most common method for standard tablet and capsule production. Dry granulation uses a roller compactor to compress powder into dense slabs without any liquid — eliminating the drying step and making it the preferred choice for moisture-sensitive and heat-sensitive APIs, as well as effervescent formulations where water contact must be avoided.
●How do I select the right high shear mixer size for my production scale?
The LHS Series is sized by nominal volume (25 L to 1,500 L), with a working fill range of approximately 40–80% of nominal volume. For example, LHS100 handles 40–80 L of material per batch. To select the right model, start with your target batch size in kg, convert to volume using your blend bulk density, then select the model where your batch volume falls within the feed quantity range. Contact our process engineers with your batch size, material density, and daily production target for a specific recommendation.
●Can the roller compactor handle traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) extracts?
Yes. The LGS Series (Hercules-100) is specifically designed for large-yield granulation of TCM extracts, which typically have high hygroscopicity and sticky characteristics that challenge standard roller compactors. Its high rigidity frame, large capacity, and modular disassembly design are optimised for the demands of TCM granulation in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
●What is hot-melt extrusion and when should I use it?
Hot-melt extrusion (HME) is a continuous, solvent-free processing technology that co-melts an API with a polymer carrier at elevated temperatures to produce an amorphous solid dispersion. It is primarily used to improve the bioavailability of poorly soluble APIs classified as BCS Class II or IV, and to prepare sustained-release or controlled-release formulations. HME is also used to produce fixed-dose combinations in a single continuous operation. It is not suitable for APIs with very low melting points or those that degrade at the temperatures required for polymer processing.
●Do Canaan granulation machines support scale-up from R&D to commercial production?
Yes. The LHS High Shear Mixer range spans from 25 L (lab/R&D) to 1,500 L (commercial), and the FZ Fluid-bed series also covers R&D through production scale. Because the equipment geometry and process parameters are consistent across sizes, granulation recipes developed at bench scale can be transferred to production scale with predictable results — reducing the number of validation batches required during scale-up.
●Are Canaan granulation machines compliant with GMP, FDA, and PIC/S requirements?
Yes. All Canaan granulation equipment is designed and manufactured to comply with cGMP, PIC/S GMP, and FDA requirements. Contact-part materials (316L stainless steel, food-grade seals) meet pharmaceutical grade standards. WIP/CIP cleaning systems are available across the range. Full IQ/OQ/PQ validation documentation packages are available to support customer site qualification. Explosion-proof (Ex) options are available for solvent-handling applications.
Select Your Granulation Equipment
Tell us your API properties, batch size, target granule specification, and production scale — our process engineers will recommend the right granulation technology and provide detailed specifications within 24 hours.
✓ Response within 24 hours ✓ Dedicated process engineer ✓ NDA available on request
Complete Your OSD Production Line
Granulation sits at the heart of solid dosage manufacturing. Canaan supplies the complete upstream and downstream OSD equipment — all built to the same cGMP standard.
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