Polygal’s Research and Development capabilities
We see ourselves as problem solvers. Practical research and development is a core competency of Polygal AG. Thanks to our extensive and diverse experience in the field of hydrocolloids and their applications, combined with the specific know-how of our customers, we are committed to close cooperation in further developing and optimising products, processes and services.
Thanks to our strong cooperation with different Institutes and Universities in Switzerland, Europe and abroad, we support our customers with anything from conceptual analyses, laboratory and operational tests. Our technical sales team assists the customers for all the application issues. Moreover, through our technical and quality department we perform investigations into legal regulations regarding applications, right through to the final product introduction, including on location.
Technologies & Manufacturing
Technology
Polygal AG was founded with the objective of researching, isolating and refining vegetable hydrocolloids to make their unique properties available to the industry.
Due to our long term experience – which includes the procurement and selection of the raw materials, the mechanical and chemical modification of the polysaccharides and the formulation of compounds – we are able to offer high-quality products that have beneficial uses in a wide variety of industrial applications.
Modernly equipped quality control and application laboratories guarantee high-quality consistency and optimal support for our customers with suitable products.
The available facilities as well as the specific processing «know-how» are listed under contract processing.
Our top priority is to manufacture, market and distribute products in a responsible manner that protects the environment and ensures the health, safety and security of employees, contractors, customers and the community.
No water or solvents are used in the production of guar gum as a sustainable process.
Manufacturing process
The process includes the following operations done singly or in combination, milling, sifting, and chemical modification of the galactomannan. Evaluation of the products involved rheological study and end-use applications. The technology units employ different mills to produce powders with a wide range of fineness.
Our high standards (IFS/FSC 2200) enables us to achieve the right quality to meet Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics and Food processing industries’ requirements.
These are the points of modification through etherification, esterification, oxidation, and depolymerization occurs at the glycosidic linkages. Hydroxypropylation of guar galactomannan has been used to improve its thickening properties. Acetylated galactomannans have amphiphilic properties and are used to deliver hydrophobic compounds. Oxidation and carboxymethylation are used to introduce carboxyl groups to give anionic character to provide improved adhesion and water solubility. Cationic galactomannans have a wide range of applications in personal care. In addition, different molecular weights with different rheological profiles can be produced via depolymerisation. The evaluation of the products includes both rheological and application-specific measurements. Mills and sieves are available for the production of powders of different grinds. Our high standards (IFS/FSC 2200) allow us to meet the highest quality demands of the cosmetics, pharmaceutical and food industries with our products.
Our production has explosion-proof comminution and drying lines with various capacities and mixing facilities with capacities of 10 to 23,000 kg.
Innovation
Quality and innovation
Fulfilling different and often very high-quality requirements is a matter of course for us. Our well-equipped laboratories subject all raw materials, as well as semifinished and finished products, to stringent quality control. Furthermore, a comprehensive interdepartmental quality assurance system ensures that the high-quality standards of our products and services are maintained and continually improved. For further questions, e.g., regarding biodegradability, etc., we have access to a long-standing network of experienced partner laboratories.
Innovative for a good reason
We see ourselves as problem solvers and as innovative leaders serving our customers. We know that the potential of our natural raw materials is far from being exhausted, and so we are always investigating and opening new application areas.
Thanks to our extensive experience in the field of hydrocolloids and their applications, combined with the specific know-how of our customers, we are committed to close cooperation in further developing and optimising products, processes, and services.
We can support our customers with anything from conceptual analyses, laboratory and operational tests and investigations into legal questions regarding applications, right through to the final product introduction, including on-site trials.
Our technical team are experts in solving problems in different application areas of hydrocolloids. In addition, our innovation team is dedicated to developing new products that enhance the quality and performance of products. Our innovations give customers a competitive advantage.
We have a R&D department that focuses on innovation and finding solutions. Our team of specialised technicians work hand in hand with customers to address problems quickly, to assure quick turn times and responsiveness, and to maintain open communication throughout the process.
Our on-site testing lab and wide array of testing capabilities thanks to several cooperations with different certified analytical laboratories and research institutes allow us to provide both specified and custom testing processes. Our team then provides extensive test reports and analysis to ensure the solution will meet the performance expected from the customer. Using a proven development process, our team ensures collaborative development through solution validation.
The process steps are as follows:
- Define customer challenge, forming a joint customer and Polygal team. Confirm specifications, timing and collecting requirements.
- Develop solutions undergoing extensive lab and field-testing, providing sampling to the customer for approval.
- After the validation at customer facilities, a scale-up will be performed to assure reproducibility before starting regular production.
Commitment as a manufacturer and solution provider
Your problem is our challenge
We view questions and problems from our customers as challenges. Practical research and development are core competencies of Polygal AG. In close cooperation with our customers, we are always striving to find new solutions and to further develop products and services for their benefit.
We want to strengthen our customers by offering products that are developed exactly for their needs. For highly specialised areas of application, we develop exclusive products and individual solutions together with our customers.
