Greener techniques for the production of pharmaceutical co-crystals through

Pharmaceutical manufacturers face increasing pressure to reduce solvent use, energy consumption and waste. Mechanochemistry explores mechanical force rather than heat to drive chemical reactions in the absence of solvents, and offers a promising alternative. At the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung in Germany, Dr Jan-Hendrik Schöbel and Dr Michael Felderhoff are exploring how large, industrial milling technologies can be adapted to produce high-value pharmaceutical co-crystals cleanly and efficiently. Their recent studies demonstrate that both drum mills and attritor mills, equipment long used in mining and materials processing, can be repurposed for greener production of ibuprofen:nicotinamide co-crystals.