HECHT Technology offers a comprehensive range of powder handling equipment for the process industry. Our product range includes solutions such as endless liner systems for contamination-free bulk transfer and powder dosing systems for precise and safe powder feeding — engineered for pharmaceutical, chemical, food, and battery applications.
Industrial dryers for powders
Industrial drying is a critical process step in the pharmaceutical, fine chemicals, food, and battery recycling industries. But not all drying processes are the same. While traditional hot-air ovens promise quick results, they put valuable products at risk: degradation, moisture sensitivity, and safety issues.
This is where vacuum drying comes in. And Bachiller is one of the few manufacturers that truly masters this technology.
What is vacuum drying and why do manufacturers choose it?
The basic principle
Vacuum drying works on a simple yet elegant principle: the lower the air pressure, the lower the boiling point of water.
Normal water boils at 100°C. In a vacuum of 0.1 bar, water boils at about 45°C. This means that sensitive products—vitamins, medicines, biological components, battery materials—can be dried without thermal damage.
The machine gently heats the product, while a condenser collects the evaporated water. No hot air, no oxidation, no migration.
Four reasons why the industry chooses this option
1. Preserving product quality
Heat-sensitive active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), vitamins, enzymes, and biological substances remain intact. No degradation, no discoloration, no loss of potency.
2. Moisture control down to the micron level
For pharmaceuticals (USP/EP), the residual moisture content must be below 2%. For battery materials, it must be below 1%. Vacuum dryers consistently achieve this.
3. Energy efficiency
Vacuum drying uses 60–80% less energy than lyophilization (freeze-drying). For batches of 500L or more, this is no small matter...
4. Compliance-ready
Bachiller machines are designed in accordance with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and EHEDG (European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group) standards. Validation is standard—not a nightmare.
Bachiller’s three core products
1. Paddledry: the horizontal mixer
For: Products with high viscosity and pseudoplastic behavior (requiring mixing and high torque)
- Design: Two counter-rotating paddles in a horizontal drum
- Heating: Via jacket and paddles (maximum contact surface area)
- Batch capacity: 5 L to 500 L+
- Typical products: Pastes, dough, high-viscosity active ingredients, pigments
Advantage: Intensive mixing ensures even heat transfer. The paddles break up clumps, making moisture evaporation much more efficient.
Typical cycle: 2–6 hours (depending on the batch and product).
2. Conusdry: the vertical screw
For: Crystalline and low-viscosity liquid products
- Design: Vertical conical drum with center tube and screw assemblies
- Heating: Via jacket and direct contact with dry wall
- Batch capacity: 10 L to 1,000 L+
- Typical products: Crystalline salts, low-molecular-weight organics, fine chemicals, catalysts
Advantages: Compact (vertical = less floor space), energy-efficient, suitable for lower viscosities.
Typical cycle: 3–8 hours
3. Sanidry: the sanitary paddle dryer
Intended for: Stringent food and pharmaceutical applications where hygienic design is non-negotiable
- Design: Paddle dryer variant with all edges and corners eliminated (GMP hygienic)
- Material: 316L stainless steel (corrosion-resistant)
- CIP-ready: Clean-in-Place without disassembly
- Certification: EHEDG-validated
Advantage: Perfect for sterile pharmaceutical processes; no hidden corners where bacteria can grow.
How do you choose your Bachiller model?
Quick decision guide
| Your product is... | Kies... | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Crystalline, liquid, low viscosity | Conusdry | Moisture removal via wall contact; compact footprint |
| Dough, paste, high viscosity, mixing required | Paddledry | Paddles ensure intensive mixing & torque |
| Sterile, food-grade, hygiene-critical | Sanidry | Hygienic design, CIP, EHEDG |
| Battery materials, fine chemicals, catalysts | Conusdry of Paddledry | Depends on viscosity; consult first |
Capacity & Scalability
Both models are available in sizes ranging from small lab-scale (5L) to large-scale production (500L+ Paddledry, 1000L+ Conusdry). This means you don’t have to upgrade to a different type of dryer as your business grows—you simply upgrade to a larger size.
GMP and EHEDG: Why This Is Non-Negotiable
GMP 101
If you work in the pharmaceutical industry, your dryer must comply with GMP standards. This means:
- Validation: IQ (Installation) / OQ (Operational) / PQ (Performance) protocols
- Documentation: All batches recorded, traceable, and reproducible
- Change management: Every change must be validated and documented
- Audit readiness: FDA, EMA, or other inspectors may arrive unannounced
Bachiller machines are GMP-designed as standard. This saves months of validation work.
EHEDG: hygienic engineering
EHEDG guidelines ensure that your machine:
- Has no dead corners where bacteria can grow
- Is CIP-clean without disassembly
- Uses corrosion-resistant materials (no leaching, no contamination)
All Sanidry models and many Paddledry units are EHEDG-certified. This is essential for sterile pharmaceutical and food applications.
Validation process (brief summary)
- IQ: Check delivery, documentation, and specifications
- OQ: Test machine functionality (temperature distribution, vacuum stability, cycle integrity)
- PQ: Testing your actual product and your actual recipe; must be reproducible
Duration: 6–12 weeks (much faster than custom equipment). Cost: Depends on complexity (€5k–€20k for guided validation work).
Applications by industry
Pharmaceutical: Bachiller’s core competence
- API drying: Drying active pharmaceutical ingredients to <2% moisture content
- Excipients: Drying excipients without degradation
- Vitamins & biologics: Leaves enzymes intact
- Tableting: Crystalline precursors in the correct form
Example: A vitamin B12 manufacturer reduced drying time from 12 hours (tray oven) to 4 hours (Conusdry) and saved 40% on energy costs.
Food & beverage
- Fruit pulp, concentrates: Nutrients preserved
- Lactose powder: Fine texture, low moisture content
- Ingredients (gums, starches): Reactivity preserved
Fine chemicals & coatings
- Pigments: No discoloration due to heat
- Resins, polymers: Crystalline form preserved
- Catalysts: Activity preserved
Battery Industry (growing market)
- Cathode & anode materials: Moisture = corrosion & safety issue
- Electrolyte drying: Critical for battery performance
- Recycled materials: Preparation for reprocessing
Cost Components: what you need to know
CapEx (capital expenditure)
- Paddledry 100L: €60k–€120k
- Conusdry 100L: €50k–€100k
- Sanidry 50L: €80k–€150k
(Prices are approximate; request a quote from your distributor)
OpEx (per batch / year)
Energy costs: ~€5–€15 per kg of dry product (depending on initial moisture content, capacity, and energy rate).
Compared to freeze-drying: ~€25–€40 per kg. Vacuum drying is more cost-effective in the long run.
ROI
For batches >100L, 2x per week: Payback in 2–3 years. After that, pure savings.
Why Hecht Technology is your ideal partner
Hecht Technology is a Bachiller specialist in the Benelux and neighboring markets. What this means:
- Technical expertise: Engineers who understand drying, not just selling machines
- GMP & validation support: We help you develop and implement your validation protocol
- Tailored solutions: Not one-size-fits-all; your process, your budget, your timeline
- Maintenance & training: Preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, team training
- Local support: No long wait times, quick response to issues
Our consulting process
- Analysis of your product, moisture content, and temperature sensitivity
- Pilot study (optional: lab-scale test)
- Scale selection and cost estimate
- Implementation + validation support
- Ongoing support and optimization
Next steps
If you’re still exploring your options
- Read our article: How Does Vacuum Drying Work? (Technical Fundamentals)
- Compare models: Paddledry vs. Conusdry: Which One
If you’re seriously considering it
- Industry-specific guide:
- Pharma: vacuum drying + GMP validation
- Battery & chemicals: industrial scale-up
- Download: GMP validation checklist (free PDF)
- Schedule an appointment: technical consultation (30 min, no obligation)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How long does a drying cycle take?
A: It depends on the product, batch size, and initial moisture content. Typically 2–8 hours. Your validation protocol determines the minimum.
Q: What moisture content can a Bachiller dryer achieve?
A: Up to <0.5% for ultra-sensitive products; typically 1–3% for pharmaceuticals. Exact specifications depend on the process.
Q: What about maintenance? Is it complicated?
A: No. Routine checks on a weekly basis (condenser water, seals) and monthly basis (pump, heater). Major maintenance: annually. Read the maintenance guide.
Q: Can we clean the dryer without disassembling it?
A: Sanidry: Yes, fully CIP-compatible. Paddledry & Conusdry: Partially; some parts must be removed for deep cleaning.
Q: What happens if I don’t perform validation?
A: For non-regulated industries: not strictly required. For pharma/food: the FDA/EMA may impose sanctions. GMP validation is not optional.
Q: Can Bachiller dryers be used for sterile drying?
A: Yes, especially the Sanidry. Sterile validation is an additional step (STER-PD protocol), so it involves extra costs and time.
Q: Where can I find parts and service in Europe?
A: Hecht Technology stocks the most common parts. For specialty parts: order directly from Bachiller or through a distributor.
In summary
Bachiller vacuum dryers are the solution for you if:
- You need to safely dry sensitive, high-value products
- GMP compliance is non-negotiable
- You want to save energy and costs compared to traditional methods
- You want to scale up without replacing your equipment