Aseptic excellence in the pharmaceutical value chain: Why nothing has never mattered more

Imagine this: A critical medication is being manufactured, and the difference between success and failure lies in maintaining an aseptic environment where even microscopic contaminants are eliminated from the production process. In the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, every link in the value chain faces mounting pressure to deliver more: more safety, more efficiency, more compliance while tolerating less risk. This pursuit of nothing isn’t about absence – it's about achieving exceptional process control where risks are engineered out. Through our partnership with Franz Ziel, a leader in barrier technology, Körber is enhancing value for customers by integrating proven aseptic technologies into our comprehensive pharmaceutical ecosystem.

Highlights:

• What key trends are reshaping aseptic processing today?
• How do advanced barrier technologies address today’s regulatory challenges?
• What makes the combination of expert collaboration and ecosystem integration so powerful?

Trends reshaping aseptic manufacturing

As the industry shifts toward complex biologics, personalized therapies, and high-potency compounds, three powerful trends are emerging:

• Tighter regulatory frameworks: EU GMP Annex 1 now emphasizes holistic contamination control, continuous monitoring, and documented proof of performance.
• Biotech growth: Advanced therapies demand ultra-secure aseptic environments with zero tolerance for contamination
• Sustainability imperatives: The industry seeks not only safer but more efficient processes, reducing chemical usage, cycle times, and environmental impact

These trends encourage thinking forward about aseptic strategy – evolving from an isolated manufacturing step to an end-to-end value chain priority.

When nothing means everything

How can nothing be your goal? For those responsible for aseptic processing, this paradox makes perfect sense. When lives depend on product purity, the rigorous minimization of contamination risks and the proactive navigation of potential compromises in the process aren’t just desirable, they’re essential. This philosophy drives our approach at Körber: engineering environments where this commitment to safety and precision is paramount.

This pursuit of nothing in aseptic processing is achieved through precision engineering, validated processes, and pharmaceutical expertise – all working to ensure effective risk management and superior handling potential contamination threats.

Technology that meets regulatory demands

At Körber, our commitment to aseptic excellence is clear. Working in partnership with Franz Ziel, our aseptic solutions stand out thanks to their regulatory-compliant design. Behind every technical innovation is a deep understanding of the people who work with these systems daily. Our barrier systems create a shield around your products with unidirectional, protective airflow patterns to keep contaminants away.

We utilize vH₂O₂ with precision-engineered efficiency. Our decontamination technology guarantees microbial inactivation (6log reduction) while optimizing chemical usage and process duration. This enhances sustainability, reducing restart times and delivering significant cost savings.

For secure material transfer, our portfolio includes solutions such as:

• No-Touch-Transfer (NTT): Safely brings pre-sterilized containers into your Grade A/ ISO 5 environment.
• Rapid Decontamination Station (RDS): Enables fast and efficient material transfer including tools, monitoring equipment, and other production materials, into an isolator.

A collaborative journey to excellence

Our approach goes beyond simply delivering technology. We partner closely with you, gaining a thorough understanding of your specific challenges and requirements, to ensure a perfect fit.

Our process begins with a detailed consultation to analyze your products, processes and facility constraints. Based on this, we develop a tailored solution, which includes detailed technical elaborations and visualizations such as renderings. A key step in our collaborative design approach is the creation of a physical wooden mockup, allowing your team to experience and refine the proposed workflow firsthand before production begins.

This integrated design process lays the foundation for seamless integration into a technological framework that multiplies the value of your investment.

The ecosystem advantage

By bringing Franz Ziel’s barrier technology into the broader Körber Ecosystem, we’ve created a seamless solution around the fill and finish process.

This means one partner, one interface, one integrated production line. No gaps, no compatibility issues, no divided responsibility – just a cohesive solution backed by Körber’s global support. This holistic approach doesn’t just protect your product, it amplifies the efficiency and value of your entire production line.

Why nothing matters

In a world where every molecule matters, nothing has become the ultimate measure of success in aseptic processing. Achieving the perfect state of nothing in your aseptic processing is not only possible – it's within your reach. Our team of experts is ready to understand your specific challenges and begin mapping out your ideal solution.

Learn more

Let’s explore together how your aseptic processes could benefit from our approach. Discover how Körber’s aseptic solutions can elevate your manufacturing standards in our brochure, or contact our experts today for more insights.

Contact us today