The origins of industrial progress are basically always motivated by elementary questions about known problems of companies or even entire industries. At FLOWNETICS, we have asked ourselves two closely interwoven questions:
From Pain to Gain – waiting is no longer an option !
SRIDHAR BALARAM
FOUNDER & Managing Director
FLOWNETICS offers a fully vertically integrated
“Problems can never be solved– Albert Einstein
with the same way of thinking
that created them”
The global pharmaceutical market has experienced significant growth in recent years. According to Statista, the total global pharmaceutical market is estimated to be worth around USD 1.6 trillion in 2023. This corresponds to an increase of over USD 100 billion compared to 2022. Regardless of the key economic data, the industry faces enormous challenges, some of which are literally home-made.
This is particularly true with regard to the batch production (99% usage), which dominates the process chain for the production of raw materials and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). In view of the limitations and restrictions of the process and the visions of green chemistry, this is an almost unacceptable dominance. Once again, this seems to confirm that hardly anything can be changed more slowly than old habits - especially when the market is characterized by high political and regulatory requirements, as in the case of pharmaceuticals.
For around 15 years, however, there has been increasing movement in the encrusted structures. The COVID-19 pandemic in particular highlighted the weaknesses of a centralised supply chain and paved the way for a critical examination of the status quo. In addition, calls for more sustainable chemical production became ever louder. China’s dominance with 80% market share in the area of raw materials and APIs is also causing headaches in many places.
The conclusion is clear: The path of the batch past with a 99% share will lead to a dead end. It became equally clear that batch production cannot really solve any of the criticised problems due to its inherent limitations and restrictions. But at least there was and is a perspective called “Flow Chemistry”.
Flow chemistry has already proven to be effective, efficient and more sustainable in the laboratory. In addition, Flow Manufacturing is considered safe in risk areas, the entire process can be monitored with appropriate sensors, can be displayed transparently via the data and is therefore also suitable for AI / ML analyses. The modularity of the Flow Reactors would also make it possible to design the production facilities as smaller, more flexible units and thus position production close to the end consumer. It was obviously only a matter of time before the industrial revolution arrived in the pharmaceutical industry. And this is happening right now!
FLOWNETICS Engineering, a high-tech start-up from India, is currently setting the course for change and at the same time opening a window of fascinating opportunities for Pharma 4.0 and green chemistry.
The company impresses with a consistent end-to-end offering from a single source and on a subscription basis – from process development and system engineering through to scale.
FLOWNETICS Engineering is positioning itself at the forefront of transformation in the pharmaceutical industry with its pioneering end-to-end Flow Manufacturing Platform. The aim is to democratise production and pave a reliable path for independent and decentralised supply chains in the field of fine chemical raw materials and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). In addition to the necessary scalability and flexibility, the end-to-end offering also impresses with increased cost-effectiveness and resource efficiency. It also offers controlled and monitored process conditions for maximum quality and reliability.
“Flow Technology enhances product quality, lowers costs, reduces waste, shrinks inventory and boosts flexibility”– US FDA
All in all, FLOWNETICS promotes the departure from traditional production paradigms and the breaking up of encrusted industrial structures. As a transformation accelerator, FLOWNETICS relies on the advantages of a subscription model. Users can choose between Performance-as-a-Service (PaaS) for contract manufacturing and Factory-as-a-Service (FaaS) for in-house production at the customer site. Both variants avoid the risk of a high initial investment, enable needs-based conditions and offer the convenience of continuous improvement, predictive maintenance and efficient resource management thanks to an integrated Pharma 4.0 architecture.
Independent and decentralized Flow Manufacturing promotes sustainable and resilient pharmaceutical supply chains by enabling local production. This reduces transportation emissions and logistics costs. It also increases the resilience and reduces dependence on individual supplier countries.
Flow Manufacturing increases cost efficiency by reducing waste, minimizing downtime and constantly improving yield. Thanks to the faster throughput, it is also possible to react more quickly to market changes.
Flow Manufacturing is highly customizable from development to scale-out. The modular design enables flexible expansion or reconfiguration to scale production volumes. This responsiveness increases overall competitiveness while also ensuring high productivity.
Flow Manufacturing offers maximum end-to-end reliability. Equipped with robust, fail-safe mechanisms and manufactured from high-quality materials, FLOWNETICS’ systems operate continuously and deliver consistent, high-quality products. Users can rely on the processes to deliver consistent results every time.
Flow Manufacturing offers transparency with AI / ML at the highest level. This increases operational efficiency and improves decision-making. By using data and AI analysis, FLOWNETICS optimises production processes, reduces downtime and ensures consistent quality.
The FLOWNETICS end-to-end systems are compact and massively reduce the space required in production. This space efficiency not only reduces overheads, but also enables greater flexibility in plant design and decentralisation, which increases strategic operations.
Flow production increases safety, especially for hazardous substances and critical reactions. In addition, the precise control and automation of flow systems minimises human error and improves reaction safety resulting in safer working conditions and more consistent, reliable production processes.
In direct comparison with traditional batch synthesis, Flow Manufacturing is far more efficient and sustainable, resource-saving and safer for people. As a result, flow technology promotes the implementation of the 12 principles of green chemistry in the pharmaceutical sector.
The range of knowledge and services combines the innovative spectrum ...
FLOWNETICS offers its customers various equipment and size classes. It all starts with a lab-scale reactor system as a generalized R & D platform including a software suite. The platform is specially designed to close the gap between traditional and modern technologies from the very first idea and to pave the way for customers into the digital future of Flow Manufacturing. Because what works on a laboratory scale also works in practice, from the development of the basics to the expansion of variable production capacities that can adapt scalably to dynamic market demand.
In the area of software excellence, FLOWNETICS combines state-of-the-art control technologies with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to provide users with a seamless transition and a high level of efficiency and control. Key features of the FLOWNETICS system include individual user access, DoE (Design of Experiments) software for optimized experiments and a high-tech control system with a uniquely intuitive human-machine interface for easy entry into the world of Flow Manufacturing. The system is also capable of interpreting the results and displaying complex interactions between variables. Users get a quick introduction to flow technology and often shorten the experimentation phase by up to 50 %.
Modular Design
3 different sizes possible
Smart Control
FLOWNETICS combines state-of-the-art control technologies with Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning and Cloud Computing.
A user-friendly interface to explore and adapt to the principles of flow chemistry
Harnesses the power of AI-driven data analytics to facilitate smooth transition and development of flow process
In this post-COVID era, significance of resilient supply chains has become apparent, especially in critical sectors like pharma and healthcare where key ingredients are sourced from a few suppliers, increasing costs and vulnerability. It is very well known that governments and concerned bodies are now encouraging the local manufacturers to elevate their capabilities in R&D and commercial operations.
The Key Starting Materials (KSMs) and Intermediates are foundational components serving as the backbone of pharmaceutical manufacturing and therefore are arguably the most critical component in the supply chain. They are the essential building blocks from which complex pharmaceutical compounds are derived. The global shortage of important ingredients and the high dependency on China with 80% coverage are the key problems in the industry.
“Democratize Chemical Manufacturing” is our vision – FLOWNETICS enables you with the necessary tools for Progressive Manufacturing to make your supply chain more resilient and sustainable.
Therefore please check what is your most critial ingredient in your supply chain.
At FLOWNETICS, we are committed to enhancing the capabilities of the small, medium and large chemical product owners and brands as well as manufacturers and importers with advanced technologies.
We believe, to truly incorporate a resilient supply chain, the transformation has to start from the early stages of the pharmaceutical value chain now.
Please contact us to optimize your supply chain, either we produce your ingredients (Paas) or we produce your product locally at your factory (FaaS) !
CHETHAN RAJU SUNDAR
Engineering / Research & Development
FLOWNETICS have a continuous R & D program to cover and establish flow processes for several functional segments in the chemical space. A few examples that comprise over a 100 molecules validated by us over the last few years.
Nitration followed by reduction
Protection, condensations followed by deprotections
Multistep synthesis
Multistep synthesis
High pressure reactions
Selectivity reactions
Substitution reaction
Multistep synthesis
Friedel craft alkylation, Grignard reaction
Cyclopropylation and hydrogenation
Butyl lithium, Grignard, LDA, Ethyl diazoacetate and LAH
Palladium catalyzed reaction
Diels Alder reaction
... over a 100 molecules validated by us over the last few years
commercial value
3 stage synthesis of a hydroxyquinoline intermediate
Early intermediates for anti-malarial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer applications.
sustainability focus
4 stage synthesis of a pyrimidine intermediate
Common ingredient in personal care and cosmetic products.
supply chain optimization
N-protected amino acids
Key raw materials for a new class of peptide-based drugs for diabetes and weight loss.
FLOWNETICS Performance-as-a-Service represents a highly specialized and robust lab platform that accelerates the adoption of this technology and provides a competent rental rate that still guarantees an ROI on equipment and development costs in less than 12 months.
The introduction of Flow Manufacturing in pharmaceutical production undoubtedly involves a high initial investment. In this context, a Factory-as-a-Service (FaaS) approach is an innovative solution to facilitate the transition to this advanced manufacturing technology, even for small and medium-sized companies.
FLOWNETICS as a Service Solutions offer a cost-effective, scalable and technologically advanced manufacturing solution that allows companies to focus on innovation while minimizing risk and maintaining strong customer relationships. The highlights in the overview are more than convincing ...
Manufacturers can concentrate on Research & Development as well as Marketing & Sales
By adopting a servitization model, manufacturers can shift from capital expenditure (CAPEX) to operational expenditure (OPEX), allowing for a more flexible and predictable financial model.
XaaS enables manufacturers to scale production up or down based on demand without the need for heavy upfront investment in machinery, facilities and personnel.
XaaS ensures access to the latest manufacturing technologies in engineering, process, hardware and software.
XaaS reduces the risk associated with equipment obsolescence and unexpected breakdowns
XaaS can enhance overall customer relationships by providing a better customer experience, longer customer lifetime value and a wider choice of products with the flexibility to upgrade or downgrade as needed.
The integration of IIoT and cloud based advanced analytics enables predictive maintenance, ensuring equipment longevity and reducing downtime.
We're thrilled to share the success of our recent participation in the Continuous Process Intensification (CPI-24) conference at IIT Bombay and the India Lab Expo (ILE 24) in Hyderabad!
learn more ...“Our goal is to become the go-to provider of flow chemistry solutions in India and globally.”
Read the NeoScienceHub interview with Chethan R Sundar, Engineer at Flownetics about the "Factory as a Service".
“Customers only pay for what they get. The risk of moving into flow chemistry, which has been used for years as an argument against moving away from traditional batch chemistry, is therefore completely lost.”
Read the CHEManager interview with Sridhar Balaram, Founder and CEO of Flownetics Engineering about the the subscription revolution in flow chemistry.
Read on chemanager-online.comThank you for visiting us at Achema 2024 or for your interest in our cutting-edge solutions. We are thrilled to share our insights and innovations with you, as we believe flow chemistry is poised to revolutionize the future of chemical manufacturing.
learn more ...Flownetics Engineering is a pioneering company offering end-to-end flow manufacturing platforms, enabling decentralized, efficient, and sustainable chemical production.
Flownetics Engineering is a pioneering company offering end-to-end flow manufacturing platforms, enabling decentralized, efficient, and sustainable chemical production.
Flow Chemistry involves continuous chemical reactions in a controlled environment, offering higher efficiency, safety, and scalability compared to traditional batch processes.
Flownetics uses flow manufacturing, which allows continuous reactions, reducing waste, improving yields, and enabling real-time process control and scalability.
This refers to Flownetics’ goal of making advanced chemical manufacturing accessible to companies of all sizes by providing flexible, scalable platforms.
Key advantages include reduced energy consumption, lower waste, safer operations, and quicker scalability.
Flownetics offers Performance-as-a-Service (PaaS) for contract manufacturing and Factory-as-a-Service (FaaS) for in-house production.
PaaS allows companies to outsource production, while FaaS enables them to install Flownetics systems on-site with full support, eliminating large upfront investments.
By decentralizing production and allowing local manufacturing, Flownetics reduces dependence on centralized suppliers, particularly for APIs.
Flownetics prioritizes sustainability by reducing waste, improving energy efficiency, and supporting green chemistry principles.
Flownetics integrates AI, machine learning, real-time monitoring, and advanced process controls to optimize chemical production.
Flow chemistry inherently reduces risks by controlling reactions in smaller volumes and offering real-time monitoring for safer operations.
Yes, the platforms are modular and can be customized for different production needs and reactions.
Flownetics supports Quality by Design (QbD) and Process Analytical Technology (PAT) to meet regulatory standards, ensuring consistent product quality.
Benefits include cost efficiency, scalability, reduced environmental impact, increased product quality, and faster time-to-market.
Flownetics’ modular systems allow easy scale-out, where additional units can be added to increase production capacity without new infrastructure.
AI and ML optimize reaction conditions, predict maintenance needs, and improve overall production efficiency through real-time data analysis.
Flownetics offers continuous support, including predictive maintenance, remote monitoring, and regular upgrades to ensure optimal performance.
By integrating digital technologies such as IoT, AI, and real-time data analytics, Flownetics enables smart, automated production systems, driving the future of Pharma 4.0.
Long-term benefits include improved competitiveness, reduced environmental footprint, supply chain independence, and the ability to quickly adapt to market changes.
FLOWNETICS Engineering
Private limited
148/A, Industrial Suburb 1st Stage,
Yeswanthpura-560022
Bangalore, India
sales@flownetics-engg.com
+91 9035021855