Lotion Processing Plant & Machinery Solutions

The water phase with humectants and stabilisers and the oil phase with emollients, esters and waxes are prepared separately in jacketed vessels. Both phases are heated by steam through the jacket until the waxes are molten and the gums are fully hydrated.

The oil phase is drawn into the water phase in the jacketed vessel under high shear, so that the oil is broken into a fine, stable dispersion. Working under vacuum keeps air out of the emulsion while it is being formed.

Chilled water is circulated through the jacket while the batch is stirred slowly, so the emulsion sets without breaking. Perfume, preservative and heat-sensitive actives are added once the batch has cooled.

The finished emulsion is transferred to a bulk tank and held while appearance, pH and viscosity are checked against the specification. Batch records are captured by the plant automation system before the bulk is released to filling.

Containers are rinsed and filled by piston filler, then fitted with pumps, discs or screw caps. Filled packs are labelled on line.

Packs are coded, leak checked and placed into unit cartons. Cartons are collated into shipper cases for despatch.