Wet granulation is the oldest and the most population technique in the pharmaceutical industry. Below are some of the advantages of wet granulation:
1. Masking of Tabulation Deficiencies
Creating a tablet with a perfect shape can be challenging, especially when the material lacks such qualities. Yet, with the aid of wet granulation, this is achievable because this process masks the defects of the materials used in the production of the drug.
But, dry granulation will submit to the characteristics of the material. Thus, the tablets produced through wet granulation are usually more spherical. They also often have better flow properties.
2. Better Compressibility
One of the challenges of dry granulation is that it usually leads to the use of high pressure during compression. No pharmaceutical products manufacturer will face this problem with wet granulation.
This procedure offers better compressibility, thereby cutting out the need for high pressure during compression. This method saves time and effort in aspect. Moreover, it extends the life of the machine by reducing machine wear.
3. Aids Tablet Coating
Due to factors such as the smell of the active ingredient, tablet coating is sometimes necessary in the pharmaceutical process. Yet, it is a procedure that takes place after the completion of the manufacturing process.
So, dry granulating will not be effective at that point. Instead, wet granulation makes this procedure easy because the tablet remains malleable for post-processing operations. This is one of the reasons many pharmaceutical companies invest in wet granulators despite their higher cost.
4. Reduces the Risk of Air Entrapment
One of the enemies of tablet compressibility is air entrapment. Once air is trapped between the particles of the powder form of the drug, it becomes difficult to compress. Meanwhile, a tablet loses its professional appeal without excellent compression. Thus, pharmaceutical companies often try their best to prevent this situation.
The good news is that wet granulation offers an effective solution in this aspect. This is one of the reasons this procedure offers higher powder compressibility in comparison to dry granulation.
5. Limits the Level of Dust
The last thing pharmaceutical product manufacturers want is the contamination of drugs during the production process. Drugs are meant to heal people and not make them sick. One of the ways to avoid contamination during this process is the prevention of dust. Wet granulation reduces the chances of exposure to dust, and this also protects the employees involved in the process.