Overview
Film line
XGel™
XGel™ edible film is fundamental to Meldex's technology offerings. The name “XGel” is derived from “non-gelatin”. The XGel™ films provide unique product benefits and are non-animal derived, GMO free and based on GRAS (generally regarded as safe) raw materials such as cellulose (HPMC, HEC, CMC etc) and fruit acids (citric acid). As such they are suitable for products satisfying religious beliefs (Kosher and Halal included) and for vegetarians. They have application as a carrier for flavourings, vitamins, minerals, supplements and pharmaceutical active materials. The film can be used as a raw material in other processes or as products in their own right. There are a number of patents granted or in application with the film technologies branded as XGel™, SoluLeaves™, FoamBurst™ and WaferTab™.
The development and manufacture of XGel™ films uses a means called “solution casting”. The first stage is to incorporate active ingredients in water then mix until uniformly dispersed or dissolved. The mixture or solution is then transferred to a casting machine where a thin layer of solution is cast onto a stainless steel belt of a film casting line. Here it is dried at a controlled rate through a series of ovens. This process is highly controlled to ensure consistency of the final film. The final bulk film is converted from rolls to individual dosage units and then placed into final packaging.
Meldex technology samples
Meldex has developed secondary processes using XGel™ film to create technologies producing ingestible delivery systems such as capsules, coatings for tablets and encapsulation of lozenges. These products and processes have patents granted or in application with the processing technologies branded as TabWrap™, NRobe™, Meltums™, Septum™ and Swollo™.
The film has also been developed for non-ingestible applications such as ostomy pouches, cosmetic, sanitary and healthcare devices.
BioProgress Technology, the technology arm of Meldex, has developed and offers core competencies in the formulation of fast and slow dissolving edible films, flavourings and taste masking, as well as film manufacture and processing.
BioProgress Technology offers contract development opportunities and has worked with a range of clients from entrepreneurial individuals to large multi-national corporations in the food, cosmetic, healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. We would be happy to discuss any product idea or processing problem that requires a solution in the area of our expertise. Please send an email to:
stephen.lee@meldexinternational.com
