Industry · Pharmaceutical and biotech

Platinum-cured silicone components for aseptic processes and biotechnology

Tubes, gaskets, valves and LSR parts for bioreactors, packaging lines, GMP autoclaves, freeze-dryers and CIP/SIP cleaning processes. Platinum catalysis with USP Class VI and ISO 10993 testing in ISO 8 cleanroom under Good Manufacturing Practice.

  • GMP + ISO 13485Good Manufacturing Practice + medical QMS
  • USP VI + ISO 10993Biocompatibility testing
  • CIP / SIPResistance to steam and cleaning
  • ISO 8 cleanroomsFrance + Italy
What the sector demands

Biocompatibility, CIP/SIP, repeated sterilisation and GMP documentary traceability.

In aseptic pharmaceutical and biotech processes, silicone is in direct contact with active substance, cell culture medium, biological product or water for injection. The GMP framework defines the manufacturing system; USP Class VI and ISO 10993 set the elastomer testing; the European Pharmacopoeia sets the admitted raw materials and additives. Every batch travels under a documentary file archived per MDR 2017/745, accessible for health authority and regulator audits.

Four technical requirements

GMP · CIP/SIP · sterilisation · documentary traceability

01

Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)

A management system governing the production of raw materials, equipment and components for active substance and medical product. Every operation is documented (what, who, when, with what result). EU GMP guide Annex 1 applies to aseptic production. Progress group facilities operate under this documentation aligned with ISO 13485.

02

In-place cleaning · CIP / SIP

Components in contact with the product are cleaned without disassembly (Cleaning in Place) and sterilised with saturated steam on the line itself (Sterilization in Place). The silicone must withstand alkaline agents (NaOH 2-5 %), acids (HNO₃ 0.5-2 %) and steam at 121-134 °C over thousands of cycles without degrading. Series S14 of the Progress catalogue is optimised for this requirement.

03

Terminal sterilisation

Compatibility with autoclave (saturated steam 121-134 °C, ISO 17665), ethylene oxide (EtO, ISO 11135) and 25-40 kGy gamma radiation (ISO 11137). Validation of mechanical and dimensional properties after repeated cycles within the customer's qualification plan.

04

Documentary traceability

Unique batch number assigned at the banbury and maintained across the whole chain. Each shipment leaves with a certificate of conformity, compound data sheet, raw material CoA, dimensional control plan ISO 3302-1 E1 / M2, and references to applicable USP Class VI / ISO 10993 testing. Archive per MDR 2017/745 and ICH.

Manufacturing under GMP

ISO 8 cleanrooms with GMP batch file and dedicated LSR injection line

Apt (France, 550 m² ISO 8) operates extrusion and moulding of compounds for pharmaceutical processes under ISO 13485 with a documented inspection plan. Top Tech Silicones (Italy, 1,500 m²) concentrates aseptic LSR injection with six dedicated presses — the largest pharmaceutical LSR capacity in the group. Both plants operate under the same Progress management system and share an equipment and operator qualification plan.

  • GMP · EU Annex 1
  • ISO 13485 · QMS
  • ISO 14644-1 · cleanroom
  • Full USP Class VI
  • European Pharmacopoeia
LSR injection · moulded parts for aseptic closures, sterile connectors and process valves
LSR injection · moulded parts for aseptic closures, sterile connectors and process valves
Pharmaceutical peristaltic tubes · active substance transfer, vial filling, mixing
Pharmaceutical peristaltic tubes · active substance transfer, vial filling, mixing
Vulcanised gasket · GMP autoclave, freeze-dryer, process steriliser
Vulcanised gasket · GMP autoclave, freeze-dryer, process steriliser
Platinum-cured silicone O-rings · cell culture tank and bioreactor closures
Platinum-cured silicone O-rings · cell culture tank and bioreactor closures
Aseptic production in ISO 8 cleanroom · GMP documentary traceability
Aseptic production in ISO 8 cleanroom · GMP documentary traceability
Inflatable gaskets with active expansion · ISO 8 GMP cleanroom doors
Inflatable gaskets with active expansion · ISO 8 GMP cleanroom doors
Flat silicone gaskets · sealing of aseptic process equipment
Flat silicone gaskets · sealing of aseptic process equipment
Reinforced silicone tubes · process lines under pressure, media transfer
Reinforced silicone tubes · process lines under pressure, media transfer

Standards applicable to the pharmaceutical and biotech sector

European and US regulatory framework for aseptic production of medicines, biotechnology and related processes. Specific coverage of each series is verified case by case according to colorants, fillers and final-customer validation.

StandardScope of application
EU GMP (Annex 1)Good Manufacturing Practice for sterile medicinal products · process system
ISO 13485Quality management system for medical devices · applicable to pharmaceutical components
ISO 9001General quality management system
USP Class VIUS Pharmacopeia · biological compatibility test on elastomers
USP <87> / <88>In vitro and in vivo biological reactivity · complementary tests to USP VI
ISO 10993-1 / -5 / -10Biological evaluation · cytotoxicity, sensitisation, irritation
European PharmacopoeiaRaw materials and additives accepted for pharmaceutical components
ISO 14644-1Cleanroom classes · ISO 8 room for aseptic production
ISO 17665 / 11135 / 11137Validation of sterilisation by steam, EtO and gamma radiation
21 CFR 177.2600FDA · rubber suitable for food contact and pharmaceutical processes
ISO 14971Risk management applied to medical devices and components
REACH (CE 1907/2006)Registration, evaluation and restriction of chemical substances
RoHS (2015/863)Restriction of hazardous substances in EEE associated with production
  • USP Class VI, USP <87>/<88> and ISO 10993 certifications are at formulation level. GMP and ISO 13485 are at system level. Final validation of the component as fit for aseptic pharmaceutical use (filling, mixing, biotech) is the responsibility of the medicinal product manufacturer.
  • Progress catalogue series with full USP VI + ISO 10993 coverage: S10, S12, S17 and S30. The S14 series (steam and autoclave resistant) is optimised for CIP/SIP processes — FDA + BfR IX/XV, without full USP VI.
Recommended Progress series

Platinum-cured catalogue for pharmaceutical and biotech processes

Four series of the Progress catalogue cover the typical sector scenarios: contact with active substance (S17), peristaltic transfer pumps (S30), in-line CIP/SIP cleaning with repeated autoclave (S14) and visual process observation (S12).

01

S17 · NuSil · Full USP Class VI

NuSil-based platinum-cured VMQ · Shore A 25-80 · range −60 / +200 °C · full USP <87>/<88> and ISO 10993-1/-5/-10 testing. Qualified short-term implantable (

02

S30 · Peristaltic pump platinum-cured

Platinum-cured VMQ · Shore A 50-65 · range −60 / +180 °C (+215 °C transient). Resistance to repeated deformation (controlled compression set) for peristaltic pumps transferring medium, aseptic filling and active substance dosing. FDA + USP VI + ISO 10993.

03

S14 · Steam + autoclave · CIP / SIP

Peroxide-cured VMQ · Shore A 60-70 · range −60 / +200 °C. Optimised for resistance to saturated steam, coolant and oils in repeated CIP/SIP cleaning cycles. FDA + BfR IX/XV. For autoclave, freeze-dryer and GMP equipment gaskets with in-line sterilisation.

04

S12 · High-certification transparent platinum-cured

Platinum-cured VMQ · Shore A 20-90 (widest range of the platinum catalogue) · range −60 / +200 °C (+300 °C transient). Translucent version for visual detection of obstruction in process lines. FDA + CE 1935 + ISO 10993 + USP VI where the colorant allows.

GMP file per batch

Every pharmaceutical component travels with its file · documented, archived, auditable

The base polymer arrives with the supplier's CoA and declaration of compliance to USP Class VI, USP <87>/<88>, ISO 10993 and European Pharmacopoeia. Each banbury assigns a unique batch number maintained from formulation to primary packaging — mixing, calendering, extrusion or injection, post-cure in sealed stainless-steel oven, dimensional control and packaging.

Each shipment leaves with a GMP certificate of conformity, compound mechanical data sheet, dimensional control plan ISO 3302-1 E1 (extrusion) or M2 (moulding), sterilisation cycle history if applicable, and reference to applicable USP / ISO 10993 testing. The file is archived per MDR 2017/745, ICH Q7/Q9/Q10 and ISO 14971, accessible for audits by notified bodies and health authorities.

Recommended products for the sector

Reference catalogue of the families most requested in aseptic pharmaceutical and biotech production: bioreactors and cell culture tanks, packaging lines and vial filling, single-use systems, GMP sterilisation equipment (autoclaves, freeze-dryers) and ISO 8 cleanroom doors.

ProductTypical application in the sectorData sheet
Pharmaceutical LSR injectionAseptic closures, sterile connectors, process valves, single-use systemsView details
Peristaltic hosesActive ingredient transfer, vial filling, aseptic mixingView details
Reinforced hosesPressurised process lines, transfer of media and water for injectionView details
Vulcanised sealsGMP autoclave, freeze dryer, process steriliser, flanged connectionsView details
Platinum-cured O-ringsSealing of cell culture tanks, bioreactors, fermentersView details
Inflatable sealsISO 8 GMP cleanroom doors with active expansion on closingView details
Flat gasketsSealing of aseptic process equipment, reactor lids, packaging linesView details
2K bi-material overmouldingPlastic-silicone components for single-use valves and connectorsView details
  • For each product the applicable series is confirmed (S17 / S14 / S30 / S12), USP / ISO 10993 tests available, assigned group plant and tested sample lead time. The S14 series is assigned by default to components with repeated CIP/SIP.
Applicable group capabilities

How a pharmaceutical component is manufactured in the Progress group

A pharmaceutical component under GMP?

Send us the process context (filling, mixing, biotech, single-use), the CIP/SIP cleaning requirements, the sterilisation method (autoclave, EtO, gamma), dimensions and estimated series. We confirm the applicable series (S17, S30, S14 or S12), available USP / ISO 10993 testing, assigned group plant and sample lead time tested. No purchase commitment.