Increasing separation efficiency by pH adjustment in Centrifugal Partition Chromatography
NewsFlow Chemistry Europe 2025 (FCE-25), held in the vibrant city of Málaga, Spain, provided an exceptional platform for scientific exchange and technological inspiration. RotaChrom Technologies was proud to be represented by our Business Development Specialist, Réka Szabó, who not only attended but actively contributed to the event’s technical discourse with a detailed, scientific poster about centrifugal partition chromatography.
The 13th edition of Flow Chemistry Europe took place on April 3–4, gathering academic and industrial leaders in the scenic Costa del Sol. This two-day conference offered a dynamic agenda filled with keynote presentations, oral sessions, and a rich exhibition area. Covering a wide spectrum of flow chemistry applications—from advanced synthetic methodologies and automation to AI-driven processes and industrial-scale continuous manufacturing—Flow Chemistry Europe 2025 reaffirmed its standing as one of the most impactful events in the field.
Réka Szabó brought RotaChrom’s expertise in separation sciences to the forefront by presenting a scientific poster focused on centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC). Her presentation shed light on the fundamental principles behind CPC and how RotaChrom has innovatively applied this technology for scalable purification solutions in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors.
“Attending Flow Chemistry Europe 2025 was both inspiring and invigorating,” said Réka Szabó. “The conversations I had with researchers and business leaders reinforced the significance of combining continuous manufacturing with cutting-edge separation technologies. It was especially rewarding to see so much enthusiasm around RotaChrom’s centrifugal partition chromatography systems.”
Centrifugal Partition Chromatography: A Primer
At the heart of RotaChrom’s technology lies centrifugal partition chromatography, a distinctive liquid-liquid separation method that relies on two immiscible solvent phases—one serving as the stationary phase and the other as the mobile phase. Unlike traditional chromatography methods that use solid supports, CPC utilizes a column filled with liquid, allowing for gentle yet highly selective compound separation.
The principle of separation is based on the partition coefficient (Kd) of each compound, which reflects how a substance distributes between the two liquid phases. These coefficients determine how each component of a sample moves through the system.
A CPC device is composed of a rotor system with interconnected chambers or cells. This rotor is first filled with the stationary phase, which is retained in place by centrifugal force. The sample—dissolved in the mobile phase—is then pumped into the rotating system, forming tiny droplets that percolate through the stationary phase.
CPC can be operated in two distinct modes:
Ascending Mode: The mobile phase is less dense than the stationary phase and flows opposite to the centrifugal force.
Descending Mode: The mobile phase is denser than the stationary phase and flows in the same direction as the centrifugal force.
This type of operation allows flexibility and optimization depending on the density of the solvents and target compounds, making CPC especially advantageous for complex purification tasks in continuous production environments.
Bridging Flow Chemistry and Downstream Innovation
Flow chemistry is rapidly becoming the cornerstone of modern process development, offering unparalleled benefits in efficiency, scalability, and sustainability. As continuous manufacturing continues to evolve, downstream processes—especially purification—must adapt to keep pace.
RotaChrom’s participation in Flow Chemistry Europe 2025 highlighted how CPC technology can be seamlessly integrated into continuous flow systems, offering a fully scalable, high-efficiency purification solution. With no need for solid supports and minimal solvent consumption, CPC stands as a green and economically viable alternative for industries ranging from pharma to fine chemicals.
Réka Szabó’s presence at the event not only underscored RotaChrom’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of purification technologies but also opened new dialogues about collaborative innovation in the field of flow chemistry.
As the flow chemistry community looks ahead, RotaChrom remains dedicated to supporting both emerging and established players with turnkey solutions that enhance purity, yield, and process control.