LYOSENSE® for Online Moisture Control
LYOSENSE® from GEA, based on multipoint NIR measurements, provides the comprehensive and non-destructive evaluation of freeze-dried product cakes in real-time.

The lyophilization of pharmaceutical products such as vaccines enhances their stability and shelf-life. However, these properties can only be maintained when the resulting cake has a residual water level of 0.2–5.0%.
For this reason, regulatory guidance indicates that this parameter must be controlled and determined. Until now, however, techniques to measure such properties have been both destructive and time-consuming, and therefore uneconomical.
Our GEA LYOSENSE® sensor uses multipoint NIR measurements to comprehensively and non-destructively evaluate freeze-dried product cakes in real-time. This easy-to-install and use online measuring device is a fast and a non-invasive solution to moisture determination, enabling the effortless detection of residual moisture.
The LYOSENSE® STATION was designed for the quick, accurate and mobile testing of pharmaceutical glass vials for residual moisture. Mounted on wheels for easy maneuverability, the LYOSENSE® STATION is 900 mm wide and can readily pass through the doors and corridors of most pharmaceutical production areas.

The LYOSENSE® and LYOSENSE® STATION automatically measure the residual moisture content in lyophilized glass vials, which are manually loaded via a tray on the infeed turntable. Process parameters such as vial speed can be controlled using an integrated touchscreen and residual moisture limits can be controlled by a laptop via an interface. Checked vials are stored on the outfeed table and can be collected manually on the infeed tray.
The NIR sensors measure the vials from the side and/or from below. The results are sent to an external computer, which is isolated from the process area and reports any out-of-specification data. Rejected vials are collected in a container adjacent to the conveyor.
This miniaturized probe is simple to calibrate and enhances product development by facilitating Quality by Design. It also offers the following benefits:

Our LYOSENSE® products are verified before delivery in a factory acceptance test (FAT). The results comprise part of the documentation package. Designed to comply with the European Union’s CE Guidelines, they are supplied with a manual, safety instructions and wiring diagram.

GEA’s LYOVAC® industrial-scale freeze dryers are built to customer specifications and are available with production areas of 1–60 m² and condenser capacities of more than 1000 kg.

ALUS® Automatic Load & Unload Systems minimize the risk of operator/product contamination while loading and unloading a freeze dryer.

Thermoforming has long played a central role in food packaging. Now it is facing a major shift. As regulations tighten, materials evolve and costs rise, form fill seal lines must do more than run reliably – they now shape how food stays fresh, affordable and recyclable. Take a look at the key thermoforming trends informing the food packaging and delivery landscape.

Von den Obstplantagen am Kap bis in die Regale von 40 Ländern – das südafrikanische Verpackungsunternehmen Betko hat sein Geschäft auf Frische, zeitliche Präzision und Zuverlässigkeit aufgebaut. Dank der Kühltechnologie mit kontrollierter Atmosphäre von GEA kann das Unternehmen nun Äpfel und Birnen bis zu 14 Monate lang lagern und den Energieverbrauch um 20 % senken. All dies basiert auf einer mehr als 30-jährigen Partnerschaft.