Ekato develops hot/cold mixer for cosmetics production
Instead of heating up both the oil and water based phases at the start of the mixing process, the S-JET homogenizer employs a hot/cold mixing method whereby one of the phases is added at a much lower temperature.
Saving time and energy
Energy and time savings are then achieved because less energy is needed to heat the inputs and the cooling phase is reduced.
Ekato said that a conventional 5,000 litre vessel at 80oC can take over eight hours to drop to a temperature suitable for filling, whereas the cooling time for the same vessel using the S-JET homogenizer is only four hours.
Using the hot/cold mixing method Ekato had to overcome the problem of waxing as the oil phase can solidify when mixed with a cooler input.
To avoid this the cooler aqueous phase is added directly into high shear (high speed) zone of the mixer while the oil based phase is kept at a high temperature. To fully ensure that no waxing takes place the cold phase is added quickly, with no air being injected into the mix.
An additional feature of the machine that Ekato claims will save even more time is the presence of an external bypass valve that can be opened as the mixing unit is running. The system is therefore able to eject even thick product without needing additional pumps and cleaning times can be cut.
Suitability and target market
The Ekato hot/cold mixer is suitable for a wide variety of emulsion cosmetics and is currently available in sizes from 50 to 10,000 litres, with laboratory scale systems starting at 3 litres.
UK managing director John Smith said: “The machine is of interest to some of the big name cosmetics firms such as Avon and Estee Lauder along with contract manufacturers."
He told CosmeticsDesign.com that as well as saving time and energy for manufacturers Ekato can offer great R&D back-up to demonstrate and validate the features of the new machine in-house.
