News overview and blog about products

What are the top industrial mixers for chemical production? Ploughshare, helical, paddle and ribbon mixers, vacuum mixer-dryers and high-shear compared, with selection criteria.

Who are the best suppliers of high containment powder handling systems in Europe? A comparison by use case: split valves, complete lines, single-use and containment around milling and mixing.

Which companies supply powder conveying systems in the Benelux? An overview of suppliers for vacuum, pneumatic and mechanical conveying, plus five factors to choose the right system.

Which containment requirements apply to API manufacturing? EU GMP, HBEL/PDE, OEB classes and occupational safety law explained, plus the translation into technology per OEB level.

Which safety requirements apply to powder handling in ATEX zones? The two ATEX directives, dust zones 20/21/22, dust explosion parameters and practical measures explained.

What solutions exist for dust-free big bag filling and discharging? Filling heads, discharge stations, endless liners and containment up to OEB 5, with a selection guide per situation.

How do you choose a vacuum conveying system for pharmaceutical powders? A six-step plan: from product data and GMP design to filters, containment, ATEX and validation.

What are the best automated packaging systems for the food industry? An overview by type, with well-known suppliers and the selection criteria that matter in 2026.

In addition to the presentation, we will also be showcasing our best-selling product at Solids Antwerp. The LAS-MC (Liner Anschlusssystem Manual Connect): a solution for the safe connection and disconnection of liners, designed to minimise product exposure and emissions to OEB 4.

???? See the LAS-MC in action:
https://lnkd.in/eQSSKGgV

More information about the LAS-MC:
https://lnkd.in/ef4Q9iJs

Would you like to join us? Use the link below for a free VIP admission ticket, including free parking, access to the VIP lounge and a drink:
https://lnkd.in/eQREKusJ

???? Solids Antwerp
???? Stand 4390, near the entrance
???? 21–22 October 2026

We look forward to seeing you in Antwerp!

#SolidsAntwerp #Containment #PowderHandling #BulkSolids #OEB #OEL #Pharma #ChemicalIndustry #FoodIndustry #PowderProcessing #HECHT #LASMC

On Wednesday, 21 October, we will be giving a presentation at Solids Antwerp on behalf of HECHT Technologie GmbH:

“Safe Handling of Powders and Granules Under Containment Requirements”

Reiner will share his expertise on the safe handling, processing and transportation of powders and granules where containment is required. Topics will include:

• The basic principles of containment (protecting both employees and product)
• OEL and OEB classification
• Primary vs. secondary containment
• Practical solutions and examples from the pharmaceutical, chemical and food industries.

Would you like to attend? Use the link below for a free VIP admission ticket (including free parking, access to the VIP lounge and a drink):
https://lnkd.in/eQREKusJ

We look forward to seeing you at Solids Antwerp (21–22 October)!

Big Bags are highly efficient for transporting and storing large quantities of powder. But once they are introduced into production, manual handling, product loss, dust generation and waiting times can quickly drive up costs.

At HECHT Technology, we regularly see companies treating Big Bag handling as an isolated process step. Yet this is often exactly where opportunities for improvement can be found.

A well-designed and automated Big Bag system can not only improve safety and ergonomics, but also make the process more efficient and deliver an attractive return on investment.

Big Bag handling: more than just discharge

Integrating a Big Bag efficiently into the production process is more complex than it may initially appear.

Real cost savings in Big Bag handling start with looking at the entire process step: from supplying and positioning the Big Bag to controlled discharge, dosing and enclosed transport of the product to the next process stage.

When these steps are not properly aligned, unnecessary costs can arise:

• Product loss through spillage and dust generation

• Extensive manual work

• Ergonomic strain on operators

• Inaccurate or inefficient dosing

• Waiting times between process steps

• Increased risk of product contamination

• Unnecessary cleaning and maintenance work

With an integrated and well-designed system, many of these losses can be reduced.

Case study: nutritional supplement manufacturer

A major nutritional supplement manufacturer was experiencing several challenges in its Big Bag workflow.

Some of the raw materials were handled manually from the Big Bags. Dosing was not optimal, and the process generated more dust and product loss than necessary.

HECHT Technology designed an integrated solution comprising four Big Bag stations for the controlled discharge of raw materials, combined with weighing technology for accurate dosing.

The mixed products were then transported in an enclosed process using 25 ProClean Conveyors, feeding ten different filling lines.

The result was a largely automated material flow in which multiple process steps were integrated with one another.

Where are the gains?

For Big Bag handling, automation is not simply about reducing the number of operators.

The greatest gains are achieved when multiple improvements are realised simultaneously:

Less manual work
Operators have to perform fewer heavy and repetitive tasks.

More accurate dosing
Integrated weighing and dosing technology enables a more controlled supply of raw materials.

Less product loss
An enclosed process helps reduce spillage and unwanted dust generation.

Higher process availability
By properly coordinating different process steps, waiting times and unnecessary process interruptions can be reduced.

Better process control
An automated material flow makes it easier to execute the process in a reproducible and controlled manner.

Automation starts with the entire process

The question is therefore not simply: “How can we discharge this Big Bag?”

The better question is:

“How can we move the product from the Big Bag to the next process step as efficiently, safely and controllably as possible?”

At HECHT Technology, we therefore look at the complete system: Big Bag handling, containment, dosing, weighing, conveying and the connection to the rest of the production line.

Because when these components are designed as one integrated process, the greatest potential gains can be achieved.

Big Bag handling does not have to be a cost centre. With the right engineering, it can become an important link in a more efficient production process.

HECHT Technology has more than 50 years of experience in containment and powder handling systems for companies that require precision and safety. We do not design standard solutions — we design systems that deliver a return on investment.

The safe discharge of powder drums containing powders is an important step in many production processes. Particularly when handling highly potent or toxic products, it is essential to prevent operator exposure, product loss and cross-contamination.

HECHT Technology, a specialist in containment and powder handling for the pharmaceutical, chemical, food and battery industries, offers various solutions for this purpose. In this article, we look at two systems for contained powder drum discharge: the CFE-K-EC and the CFE-K-OC.

Both systems have been developed with the same objective: to safely and controllably transfer powder from a drum. The way they achieve this differs.

Why is containment important when discharging powder drums?

Opening and discharging a powder drum can release dust. When handling highly potent or toxic products, even a small amount of dust can result in unwanted exposure.

A well-designed high-containment drum discharge system minimises contact between the operator and the product while ensuring controlled product transfer.

The right solution depends on factors including the required containment level, the product, the process operation, and how the drums are connected and discharged.

CFE-K-EC Easy Connect: for maximum containment

The CFE-K-EC Easy Connect is designed for applications requiring a very high level of containment, for example when processing highly potent APIs and other critical powders.

The drum is lifted and precisely docked onto the Easy Connect port. A liner system ensures that the product remains within the containment process during connection, discharge and disconnection.

The powder is then transferred for further controlled processing, while direct contact between the operator and the product is prevented.

CFE-K-OC: a different approach

In addition to the Easy Connect solution, there are situations where a different approach to drum discharge is better suited to the process.

The choice between the different systems is therefore determined not only by the required containment level, but also by factors such as product properties, capacity, ergonomics, cleaning requirements and how the system is integrated into the existing process.

Which solution is right for your process?

There is no single universal solution for powder drum discharge. The right choice starts with the product and the process.

In short:

• CFE-K-EC → maximum containment and controlled docking
• CFE-K-OC → alternative configuration for specific process requirements
• Final selection → depends on the product, containment level and process operation

At HECHT Technology, we therefore look beyond the machine itself and consider the complete process step: from supplying and connecting the drum to safely discharging and subsequently conveying the powder.

Would you like to know more about contained drum discharge or one of our other powder handling solutions? Visit hecht-technology.nl for more information or contact us directly.