Sugar Coating Technology for Tablets | T&T MACHINERY | Over 25 years of pharmaceutical experience

Sugar Coating Technology for Tablets is a traditional technique in pharmaceutical manufacturing in which a layer of sugar is applied to the surface of tablets. This sugar layer, also known as the sugar coat, provides various benefits to the final product. To ensure high-quality sugar-coated tablets, modern machinery and proper techniques are essential. In this article, we introduce sugar-coated tablets and the sugar-coating technology used in T&T MACHINERY’s coating machines.

What are sugar-coated tablets?

Sugar-coated tablets are a solid dosage form covered with a layer of sugar coating. This coating protects the tablet from environmental factors such as light, humidity, and gastric acid. Moreover, the sweet coating helps improve palatability, making tablets easier to swallow or chew.

Functions of the sugar coating

• Protects the active ingredient from gastric acid:
  Certain active ingredients are easily degraded by stomach acid, so they must be protected with a sugar-coating layer to ensure they reach the small intestine for proper release and absorption.

• Masks unpleasant taste or odor:
  Some active ingredients taste or smell unpleasant. A sugar-coating layer makes the medicine more acceptable and easier for patients to take.

• Improves tablet appearance:
  The glossy sugar layer gives the tablet an attractive look and makes it easier to distinguish from other products.

Requirements for sugar-coated tablets on automatic coating machines

Sugar-coated tablets must have two convex surfaces, not flat faces, and a relatively low thickness.

Sugar-Coating Technology at T&T MACHINERY

With over 25 years of experience, T&T MACHINERY has developed fully automated film-coating and sugar-coating machines across the FSC-100/200/300/400 model series. The machines are equipped with advanced AI-programmed PLC control systems and a 10-inch Japanese touch-screen interface.

Video: FSC-400JP Film & Sugar Coating Machine manufactured by T&T MACHINERY

T&T MACHINERY is proud to be a GMP-standard manufacturer of film and sugar coating machines for leading pharmaceutical factories in Vietnam. (See the full list of T&T MACHINERY clients.)

Some featured products of T&T MACHINERY’s film & sugar-coating machines include:

Sugar Coating Technology on T&T MACHINERY’s equipment typically consists of five main stages. After each stage, the coating pan must be CIP-cleaned before proceeding to the next step. The stages include:

Sugar Coating Technology includes 5 stages (5 layers):

1. Sealing coat

Purpose:
Protect the tablet core and create a separation layer between the core and the sugar used in the sub-coating layer.

Materials:
Polymers such as HPMC, CAP.

2. Sub coat

Purpose:
Cover the entire surface of the tablet, seal edges and corners, and meet the requirements for taste-masking and odor-masking.

Materials:
Coating materials are typically used in suspension form, including:
• Gum solution
• Titanium dioxide
• Talc
• Syrup solution

3. Smoothing coat

Purpose:
Smooth the surface of the tablets, creating optimal conditions for the color-coating and polishing stages to achieve high efficiency.

Materials:
Syrup, typically at 65 percent concentration.

4. Colour coat

Purpose:
Create a uniform color layer on the tablets, enhancing visual appeal.

Materials:
Syrup (usually 65 percent concentration) and coloring agents.

5. Polishing coat

Purpose:
Polish the coated tablets to create a glossy, aesthetically pleasing finish.

Materials:
Imported polishing solutions.

These are the key stages in the sugar-coating process performed on T&T MACHINERY’s film and sugar coating machines. This Sugar Coating Technology has been fully optimized by T&T MACHINERY and implemented on numerous coating machines at leading pharmaceutical manufacturers in Vietnam, such as TV.PHARM, HATAPHAR, TIPHARCO, and others.
The finished sugar-coated tablets consist of five coating layers, achieving a glossy, smooth, and superior finish.

With advanced technology and a well-designed Sugar Coating Technology, T&T MACHINERY proudly affirms its leading position in pharmaceutical machinery manufacturing, delivering high-quality and high-efficiency solutions.
For consultation on film coating, sugar coating, and comprehensive equipment solutions for your pharmaceutical facility, please contact us today.

​CONTACT US:

T&T PHARMACEUTICAL MACHINERY CO. LTD. 

Factory: 174-175 Dang Cong Binh St, Hoc Mon District, Hochiminh City, Vietnam. 

Registered office: 82 Giai Phong St, Tan Binh District, Hochiminh City, Vietnam. 

Hotline Zalo: 0903.845.108 / 039.88888.39 / 0909.877.646

Email: tivati7@gmail.com