Microencapsulation

The ‘science and art’ of microencapsulation, is a way of taking an active ingredient, using a particular technique to encapsulate it within a microsphere, so that it remains isolated, protected and stable until such time that it is released by a certain trigger mechanism.

There are also some hybrid techniques that use physical mechanisms to form a droplet or particle, so that chemical techniques can then be utilised.
Micropore's patented membrane emulsification process is capable of producing uniform droplets from 10µm upwards, that can then be post-processed with a variety of chemistries to provide a microcapsule, or microparticle system with the desired properties. Generally, encapsulation technologies are divided into two groups – chemical encapsulation and physical encapsulation.
Some examples of chemical encapsulation technologies include, simple & complex coacervation, interfacial polymerisation, solvent evaporation, etc.
Some examples of physical encapsulation technologies include, spray drying, spray chilling, freeze drying, fluid bed coating, etc.

Microsphere encapsulation systems can be designed to:

• Trigger the release of selected active ingredients during application.
• Deliver a tailored release profile to suit formulation and application.
• Prevent unwanted interaction between ingredients during the mixing of components.
• Mask undesirable components (sharp tastes, low fat elements).
• Protect ingredients from oxidation during application (eating, ingestion, spraying).
• Extend the shelf life of products.

​Types of encapsulated microspheres

(CLICK ICON FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EACH)

Biodegradable polymeric materials (e.g. PLGA)

Liposomes and lipid nano particles

Core-shell coacervates

Meso-porous silica

Hydrogels

Eco microbeads producible on industrial scale

​Dave Palmer, Micropore's Technical Support Manager, describes the potential of Micropore's technology for the industrial scale-up of the encapsulation process for more ecological friendly micro beads.

Read news article

Applications

Pharmaceuticals

Cosmetics, Fragrances and Skincare

Agrochemicals

Nutraceuticals

Vetinerary and Animal Foods

Chromatography

Inks

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​​Working with Micropore was a very positive experience for us.
​The speed with which we progressed reflects how user-friendly we found the Micropore equipment.

​Customer, food sector

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​We have achieved significantly improved production economics. We were initially sceptical as we had had problems when we’d tried membrane emulsification in the past.  Micropore has developed a truly elegant solution

Customer, ​household products

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​​We set aside a day for trials on the Micropore AXF-1.  We were finished in less than an hour with all trials completed satisfactorily.  We were surprised at how simple Micropore’s equipment is to set up and operate

​​Customer, fragrance sector

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​​Micropore’s precision engineered products mean we don’t have problems with creaming or phase inversion any more.  We are working to convert manufacture of all our products to Micropore’s approach because of the ease of operation/cleaning and improved yields

​​Customer, personal care sector

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We approached Micropore after failing with others because we needed to replicate an in-flight problem.  Micropore delivered everything we hoped for and more.  The result was we were able to engineer a solution for major safety improvements and rapid implementation

​​Customer, aerospace sector

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