Vacuum solutions for pharmaceutical production

As a pharmaceutical manufacturer, you have specific, non-negotiable needs. The most pressing are to:

Prevent product contamination
Ensure worker safety
Improve production uptime
Comply with regulations

We design tailor-made cleaning machines and third-party certified vacuum solutions with these needs built in.

From floor to ceiling, source to disposal — explore the certified capabilities behind our pharma solutions.

Clean from floor to ceiling

Cleanliness is the key to compliance, safety, and product quality.

Audit-ready cleaning from floor to ceiling, in every zone of your facility. Our GMP-compliant equipment and accessories are designed for the hygiene standards pharmaceutical production demands.

Collect dust at the source

A small amount of dust can be a big issue.

Certified capture of dust and hazardous particles at the source, wherever they occur. Depending on your facility's explosion risk classification, ATEX or ACD-rated solutions keep your collection systems safe and compliant.

Gently convey materials

From A to B, gently, hygienically, without compromise.

Gentle, hygienic transfer of capsules, powders and granules between production stages, without contamination risk or manual handling. Engineered to keep your materials moving - and your product uncompromised.

Contain hazardous particles

Protecting your operators starts with the right containment solution.

High-containment solutions for potent compounds, including APIs and HAPIs, validated to protect your operators and your process. Our containment systems are tested to third-party SMEPAC certification, aligned to your facility's OEB classification.

From the research and development to final packaging and warehousing, every stage of pharmaceutical production has its own specific requirements (and potential risks). Vacuum solutions make a critical difference. Click the arrows below to see how.

How can vacuum solutions help your unique production environment?

Contact a Nilfisk expert for a site assessment

What types of cleaning machines are used in the pharmaceutical industry?

Pharmaceutical facilities rely on specialized equipment to maintain strict hygiene and compliance. Common solutions include industrial vacuums with HEPA or ULPA filters for hazardous dust, Clean-in-Place (CIP) systems for tanks and pipes, compact scrubbers and sweepers for floors, and pneumatic conveying systems for moving raw materials without contamination. In some cases, pressure washers and steam cleaners are also used for equipment and facility cleaning.

Why is cleaning so important in pharmaceutical manufacturing?

Cleaning is business critical in pharma. It prevents cross-contamination, protects product quality, safeguards workers from hazardous dust, and ensures compliance with GMP and other strict regulations. Effective cleaning also reduces downtime, helping facilities run efficiently and avoid costly fines or recalls.

Why is dust collection at the source important in pharmaceutical production?

Dust collection at the source — sometimes referred to as dedusting — captures particles at the point of generation, before they can disperse into the production environment and cause harm.

In pharma production, uncontrolled dust poses multiple risks. Fine particles from APIs and HAPIs can expose operators to potent compounds even at low concentrations. Airborne dust settling on equipment and surfaces leads to cross-contamination between batches and compromises product quality. Where combustible powders are handled, accumulated dust also creates a serious explosion risk.

Certified vacuum systems with HEPA or ULPA filtration capture dust directly at the source — whether at a tablet press, mixing vessel, or lab workstation — keeping operators safe, processes compliant, and changeovers faster. At Nilfisk, our dust collection solutions are third-party certified for pharmaceutical environments, with ATEX and ACD-rated options available where combustible dust is a concern.

What is cleaning validation in pharma?

Cleaning validation is the documented process of proving that cleaning procedures consistently remove residues to predetermined, safe levels. It is a regulatory requirement designed to ensure patient safety, product integrity, and compliance with governmental regulations and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).

How often should pharmaceutical equipment be cleaned?

Frequency depends on the type of product, process, and equipment. Some equipment requires cleaning after every batch, while others can be cleaned on a scheduled basis. Regulatory guidelines, risk assessments, and standard operating procedures all determine the exact cleaning intervals.

How are vacuum solutions used across the stages of pharmaceutical production?

Vacuum solutions play a distinct role at every stage of pharmaceutical manufacturing. In research, suction hoods and central vacuum systems capture dust and protect researchers from potent compounds. During mixing and blending, vacuum systems contain fine particles at the source to maintain product integrity. In granulation, pneumatic conveyors move materials safely between processes while preventing segregation. At the tablet press and during encapsulation, certified collection and containment systems manage the dust generated by high-
speed mechanical processes. Coating requires clean handling of fine spray particulates, while blistering and cartoning rely on vacuum systems to capture packaging waste and debris continuously. Finally, in warehousing and hallways, scrubbers and vacuum solutions reduce contamination risk and maintain hygienic storage conditions for raw materials and finished products.

What is ATEX-certified equipment?

ATEX is a European regulation that defines safety standards for equipment used in explosive or hazardous environments, such as areas with combustible dust. In pharmaceutical production, ATEX-certified vacuums and systems should be used in many ways to protect workers, prevent ignition risks, and keep facilities compliant with strict safety regulations.

How can Nilfisk help with pharmaceutical cleaning challenges?

Nilfisk provides certified cleaning solutions designed for pharmaceutical environments. From third-party certified ATEX vacuums and dust containment systems to cleanroom-compliant accessories, our machines are built for safety, compliance, and reliability. Backed by a global service network, we help you stay productive, compliant, and audit ready.

Ready to talk? Get expert guidance on compliant, efficient solutions.

What matters most in pharmaceutical production?