Ointment Plant Manufacturer — Cream, Gel & Lotion Manufacturing System

An Ointment Plant (also called Ointment Manufacturing Plant or Ointment Unit) is a specialised pharmaceutical production system for manufacturing topical semi-solid formulations — ointments, creams, gels, pastes, and emulsions. As a leading ointment plant manufacturer, supplier and exporter in India, Bipin Pharma Equipment has supplied GMP-compliant ointment plants to pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies across India and 25+ countries.

What is an Ointment Plant?

An ointment plant is an integrated system comprising heated and agitated vessels for oil phase and water phase preparation, a main vacuum emulsifier with homogeniser for combining and processing the phases, a transfer system, and storage vessels. The entire plant is fabricated in SS 316L to cGMP and Schedule M standards, with full CIP/WIP capability and instrumentation for temperature, vacuum, and mixing control.

What Products are Manufactured in an Ointment Plant?

• Medicated Ointments: Antibiotic ointments, antifungal ointments, corticosteroid ointments
• Pharmaceutical Creams: Medicated creams (O/W and W/O), dermatological creams
• Cosmetic Creams & Lotions: Moisturisers, fairness creams, sunscreen lotions, body lotions
• Gels: Diclofenac gel, hair gel, antiseptic gels
• Pastes: Zinc paste, dental paste, calamine paste
• Emulsions: Liquid paraffin emulsion, topical emulsion formulations

Ointment Manufacturing Process

Phase 1 — Oil Phase Preparation

Oils, waxes (beeswax, white soft paraffin, cetyl alcohol, stearic acid), emulsifiers, and oil-soluble actives are charged into the Oil Phase Vessel (SS 316, steam-jacketed with propeller agitator) and heated to 70–80°C until completely melted and homogenised.

Phase 2 — Water Phase Preparation

Purified water, glycerine, propylene glycol, water-soluble preservatives (methylparaben, propylparaben), and water-soluble actives are charged into the Water Phase Vessel (SS 316, steam-jacketed) and heated to 70–80°C.

Phase 3 — Emulsification in the Main Vessel

Both phases are transferred at equal temperature into the main Vacuum Emulsifying Vessel. The vessel is placed under vacuum, and the high-speed homogeniser and slow-speed anchor agitator are started simultaneously. The oil phase is dispersed into the water phase (O/W) or water into oil (W/O) under vacuum — preventing air entrapment and producing a stable, smooth emulsion.

Phase 4 — Cooling and Addition of Heat-Sensitive Ingredients

The vessel jacket is switched to chilled water. The product cools under slow agitation. At 40–45°C, heat-sensitive ingredients (fragrances, vitamins, volatile actives) are added. The product continues cooling to 25–30°C before discharge.

Phase 5 — Quality Control & Filling

The finished product is tested for appearance, pH, viscosity, spreadability, and API content. Approved batches are transferred to tube filling machines, jar filling machines, or sachet fillers.

Standard Ointment Plant Configuration

Key Features of Bipin Pharma Ointment Plants

• cGMP / WHO-GMP Compliant — SS 316L contact parts, mirror-polished
• Vacuum Emulsification — prevents air entrapment for smooth, stable products
• High-Shear Homogeniser — produces uniform droplet size 1–10 µm
• Full CIP/WIP capability — validated cleaning with spray nozzles
• PLC Control — automated temperature, speed, and vacuum control
• Custom Configurations — batch sizes from 50 kg to 2000+ kg
• Documentation — DQ/IQ/OQ/PQ support on request