In industries such as pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, food processing, and chemical manufacturing, granulation plays a vital role in converting powders into uniform, flowable, and compressible granules. But when it comes to choosing between wet granulation machines and dry granulation machines, many manufacturers face a common question:

Which granulation method is right for my product?

This article breaks down the key differences between wet granulators and dry granulators, helping you make the best decision for your application, production needs, and material characteristics.

 1. Processing Method: Solvent vs. Pressure

Wet Granulation Machine

Wet granulation involves mixing powder with a liquid binder or solvent to form a wet mass, which is then sieved into granules and dried. It's ideal for products that require binding agents to improve compressibility.

• Requires water or binding agents

• Includes a drying step (using fluid bed dryer or oven)

• Better for powders that don’t compress well on their own

Dry Granulation Machine

• No need for water or binder

• No drying required — faster and more energy-efficient

• Ideal for moisture-sensitive materials like certain APIs or vitamins

2. Equipment and Production Complexity

Wet Granulation Line typically involves:

• High shear granulator or mixing granulator

• Binder solution preparation

• Drying unit (fluid bed or tray dryer)

• Sieving and sizing machines

➡ More complex, higher energy consumption, longer batch times

Dry Granulation Line usually includes:

• Roller compactor or dry granulator

• Crusher and granule classifier

3. Typical Industry Applications

Wet Granulation Machine is common in:

• Pharmaceutical tablets (especially those with poor compressibility)

• Effervescent tablets

• Granular beverage mixes

Dry Granulation Machine is ideal for:

• Pharmaceutical raw materials with moisture sensitivity

• Nutraceuticals like vitamin C or herbal extracts

• Detergent powders, agrochemicals, food additives

Which Is Better: Wet or Dry Granulation?

1. Your material properties (e.g. moisture or heat sensitivity)

2. Required production speed

3. Final product use (tablet, capsule, sachet)

4. Compliance and hygiene requirements

5. Energy and space constraints

At Luning Machinery, we provide both wet granulation systems and dry granulation machines, and our engineering team can help assess your raw materials to recommend the most cost-effective, efficient solution.

Need Help Choosing the Right Granulation Method?