Pump Applications in the Biotech Industry

In the biotechnology industry, fluid handling must meet the highest standards of hygiene, precision, and control. Pumps are used in sensitive environments where contamination is not an option and consistency is critical. From upstream fermentation to downstream purification, the right pump technology supports clean, reliable, and repeatable processes essential to biotech innovation.

Key Applications

1. Media and Buffer Transfer
Biotech processes require accurate transfer of sterile media, buffers, and reagents. Peristaltic and diaphragm pumps are frequently used for their gentle, contamination-free transfer and ease of sterilisation, making them ideal for handling sensitive fluids.

2. Fermentation and Bioreactor Feeding
Pumps play a vital role in feeding nutrients and additives into fermenters and bioreactors with precise flow control. Low-shear pumps help maintain cell viability during the process, while variable-speed systems allow for responsive flow rate adjustments.

3. Filtration and Chromatography Support
During downstream processing, pumps must deliver consistent flow rates to support filtration, separation, and purification systems. Smooth, pulsation-free operation is key to maintaining process efficiency and yield during ultrafiltration and chromatography.

4. Dosing of Enzymes and Additives
Accurate micro-dosing of enzymes, pH adjusters, or stabilisers is critical in biotech production. Metering pumps ensure precision even at low flow rates, helping to maintain strict formulation standards.

5. Clean-in-Place (CIP) and Sterilise-in-Place (SIP)
CIP and SIP systems depend on reliable pumps to deliver cleaning agents and steam throughout process lines. Sanitary centrifugal or diaphragm pumps made from high-grade stainless steel are commonly used to ensure full system sterilisation without cross-contamination.

6. Single-Use Systems
To reduce contamination risk and speed up changeover times, many biotech operations now use single-use pump solutions. These systems often feature disposable tubing and components, supporting a clean, closed-loop process with minimal manual handling.

Industry Demands

• High Purity: Pumps must be cleanroom-compatible and constructed from FDA- and USP-Class VI-compliant materials.

• Low Shear: Gentle handling is essential to protect biological products and live cultures.

• Accuracy: Precision flow and dosing are vital for batch consistency and process control.

• Validation: Equipment must be fully traceable and conform to GMP and regulatory standards.