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40 July 2014 Tablets & Capsules Cipla's new capsule filling machine includes automatic checkweigher, troubleshooting the demand for smaller packages has increased to make storage easier. But foremost, the regulations are very strict and we must focus on high qual- ity to be able to compete with local providers." Over the last few years, Cipla has been equipping its plants with high-performance machines. In fact, for more than 10 years, Cipla has been a key Bosch customer and it uses different generations and types of Bosch's GKF capsule filling machines and KKE checkweighers at production sites across India. The lat- est equipment—a GKF 2500 ASB 100% capsule filling machine—was installed at Cipla's Kurkumbh plant. But Bosch wasn't given the business; it earned it. "Just as we do for all our The GKF 2500 ASB 100% capsule filling machine adapts to produce a variety of combination products at rates to 150,000 capsules per hour. I N D U S T R Y a p p l i c a t i o n As India's pharmaceutical industry continues to grow, manufacturers are seeking more sophisticated technol- ogy that can handle complex formu- lations. More sophisticated equip- ment also helps manufacturers meet the stringent safety and quality regu- lations of their export markets, prin- cipally North America and Europe. One such manufacturer is Cipla, founded in 1935 and today one of the world's largest generic pharmaceutical companies. It makes more than 2,000 products in 65 therapeutic categories and more than 40 dosage forms. Its products reach more than 170 coun- tries. Sudhir Gule is head of Cipla's plant in Kurkumbh, Maharashtra. "India has seen a paradigm shift over the last 15 years," he said. "We now have one of the best pharmaceu- tical industries in the world. This has led to numerous changes and an increase in the sophistication of our formulations and exports." In the last decade, according to one report, India's healthcare sector tripled in size, and the growth in pharmaceutical exports has been sim- ilar. And while different reports cite different figures, all predict that the Indian pharmaceutical market is set to grow even more. One predicts that exports will more than double over the next 5 years. "Besides that, further areas of growth are to be found in contract manufacturing and hosting clinical trials," Gule said. Complex formulations on the rise With the growth in complex for- mulations and production volumes comes the need for more sophisticated machinery, Gule said. "For instance, Its empty-capsule sorting magazine ensures that deformed or damaged capsules are removed before they arrive at the filling station. i-BoschIndApp_40-41_Masters 7/2/14 1:31 PM Page 40