Solids Solutions: expert in the physical aspects of solids

Solids Solutions B.V., based in Wateringen (South Holland), is a Contract Research Organisation (CRO) specialising in the physical aspects of solids such as powders and granulates. With over 40 years of experience and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, they assist companies in the pharmaceutical, chemical, food, cosmetics and building materials industries with research, material development and consultancy.

Who is Solids Solutions?

Solids Solutions offers comprehensive services in (bulk) solids behaviour, the porosity and surface structure of materials, the size and shape of particles, composition and powder behaviour, and even nanomaterial testing. Thanks to special setups for properties such as mixing, fluidisation, cohesiveness, dust formation and particle strength, the organisation provides customised research with short turnaround times—usually within 10 working days. Their “Delft Solids Solutions Method” guarantees that each study closely matches the customer’s application, with realistic process conditions.

Coating particles: technology and significance

Solids Solutions has a separate focus on the analysis of coating particles. In coating processes, powder or granulate particles are provided with a protective or functional layer. The behaviour of coating particles is crucial for the consistency of product properties such as solubility, stability and release profiles—for example in pharmaceutical tablets or food supplements.

Solids Solutions measures and characterises coating particles with precision: among other things, they determine the coating layer thickness, adhesion, structure, surface distribution and strength of individual particles. This is done using advanced physical techniques such as porosity analysis, particle size measurement and SEM. Such analyses can greatly improve the quality of coating processes, while reducing the risk of breakage, flaking or uneven architecture of coating particles.

Granulation: process, challenges and optimisation

Another core activity is granulation, the process of combining powder particles into larger particles (granules) with specific properties. Granulation improves flowability, density, solubility and physical stability, among other things. Solids Solutions provides support in research and development, consulting and testing phases.

Their laboratory facilities enable them to explore granulation techniques such as spout-fluid bed and high-shear granulators, where the interaction between liquids and solids (binders, moisture) is carefully studied. For example, they can measure the effect of granulation parameters on mechanical integrity, particle size distribution and dust formation. Using this data, they advise on setting up processes with stable output, minimal residues and optimal quality of the final granulate.

Why choose Solids Solutions?

1. Extensive expertise: decades of specialisation in porosity, surface structure, powder behaviour and granulate technology
2. Multidisciplinary capabilities: from coating particles and granulation to nanomaterial testing and troubleshooting in powder processes 
3. Flexibility: research tailored to customer products and industrial applications, customised
4. Speed and reliability: analyses and experimental results usually within 10 working days
5. Wide range of applications: from pharmaceuticals to chemicals, food, building materials, cosmetics and more 

Key points

• Focused on coating particles and their physical properties within various coating processes
• Specialist in granulation and the optimisation of granulate characteristics
• Extensive experience and fast turnaround with customised R&D and consultancy

Curious about what Solids Solutions can do for your specific product or process? These experts are ready to tackle your challenges in coating particles, granulation or powder technology with state-of-the-art research and customised solutions.