Machinery Masters is a marketplace for new and used mixing systems, the process equipment that blends, dissolves, disperses, and homogenises liquids, powders, and suspensions in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturing. A mixing system delivers the consistent, reproducible blending that buffer and media preparation, bulk drug formulation, and single-use bioprocessing depend on.

From seal-less magnetic mixers for aseptic work to high-shear units for emulsions and IBC mixers for bulk blending, this equipment ranges from compact development units to full production platforms built to GMP requirements. Buyers include process engineers, formulation and facilities teams, and procurement managers in biopharma and contract manufacturing. Browse verified sellers to compare mixer type, volume, materials of construction, condition, and price before you buy.

Shop Mixing Systems by Type

Mixing systems are available in several configurations suited to different volumes, product viscosities, and hygiene requirements. Selecting the correct type keeps the mixing action, scale, and cleanability matched to your process and facility. The main differences between configurations relate to how the mixer is coupled and mounted, whether it is single-use or stainless steel, the shear it delivers, and whether it blends liquids, powders, or both.

Magnetically Coupled Mixers

Magnetically coupled mixers drive the impeller through the vessel wall with no shaft penetration or seal, which removes a contamination route and suits aseptic and sterile processing. Usually bottom-mounted, they deliver gentle, reliable blending for buffer and media preparation and are a standard choice where cleanability and sterility assurance are paramount.

Top-Mounted Agitators and Stirred Vessels

Top-mounted agitators and stirred mixing vessels use a shaft-driven impeller entering from the top of the tank to blend liquids across a wide range of volumes. Available with various impeller designs for gentle blending or more vigorous mixing, they are a versatile workhorse for compounding, dissolution, and general process mixing.

Single-Use Mixers

Single-use mixers combine a disposable mixing bag and impeller with a reusable drive unit, removing the cleaning-validation burden of stainless steel. They suit clinical and multiproduct facilities where fast changeover and cross-contamination prevention matter, giving fully contained mixing for buffers, media, and formulations.

High-Shear Mixers and Emulsifiers

High-shear mixers and emulsifiers use a rotor-stator to apply intense localised energy, creating fine emulsions and dispersions, dissolving hard-to-wet powders, and reducing particle size. They are essential where a product needs uniform droplet or particle distribution that gentle blending cannot achieve.

IBC and Mobile Mixers

IBC and mobile mixers blend material directly in intermediate bulk containers or portable vessels, moving the mixer to the product rather than transferring product between tanks. They suit powder blending and bulk handling, reducing manual transfers and containment risk in multiproduct operations.

Buffer and Media Preparation Systems

Buffer and media preparation systems combine a mixing vessel, control, and often single-use technology to produce the large volumes of process solutions that upstream and downstream operations consume. Consistent, well-documented preparation is what keeps these critical solutions within specification batch after batch.

Mixing Systems Brands on Machinery Masters

Machinery Masters lists mixing systems from established process and bioprocess equipment manufacturers, so you can source a specific make and model or compare comparable systems across sellers.

Sartorius
Cytiva
Pall Corporation
Merck Millipore
GEA
Alfa Laval
Silverson
IKA
Ekato
Metenova

Mixing Systems Applications and Uses

Mixing systems are deployed across biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical manufacturing wherever materials must be blended, dissolved, or dispersed to a consistent, validated standard. Requirements depend on batch volume, product characteristics, and the hygiene and containment the process demands.

Buffer and Media Preparation

Biomanufacturing operations use mixing systems to prepare the large volumes of buffers and cell culture media that upstream and downstream processing consume. Reliable, reproducible blending and dissolution keep these solutions within specification, which directly supports consistent bioreactor and purification performance.

Bulk Drug Formulation and Compounding

Formulation and compounding areas use mixing vessels and high-shear units to blend active ingredients, excipients, and solvents into uniform bulk drug products. Consistent mixing ensures content uniformity and stability, which are essential to product quality and regulatory compliance.

Single-Use and Multiproduct Facilities

Flexible and contract facilities use single-use mixers to switch quickly between products without cleaning validation between campaigns. Fast changeover, contained processing, and cross-contamination control make single-use mixing a strong fit where many products share the same suite.

Powder Blending and Solids Handling

Operations handling powders and solids use IBC and mobile mixers to blend materials in bulk containers with minimal transfer. Homogeneous blends and contained handling protect both product uniformity and operator safety where potent or fine powders are involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of mixers are used in pharmaceutical manufacturing?

Pharmaceutical manufacturing uses several mixer types matched to the task: magnetically coupled mixers for aseptic buffer and media preparation, top-mounted agitators for general blending, high-shear mixers for emulsions and dispersions, single-use mixers for flexible multiproduct facilities, and IBC or mobile mixers for bulk powder blending. The right choice depends on volume, product characteristics, and hygiene requirements.

What is the difference between a magnetic mixer and a top-mounted mixer?

A magnetic mixer drives the impeller through the vessel wall with no shaft or seal penetrating the tank, which removes a contamination route and suits aseptic processing. A top-mounted mixer uses a shaft entering from the top of the vessel, offering flexibility and a wide range of impeller options. Magnetic mixers favour sterility and cleanability, while top-mounted mixers favour versatility and higher-energy mixing.

What is a high-shear mixer used for?

A high-shear mixer uses a rotor-stator to apply intense, localised energy that creates fine emulsions and dispersions, dissolves powders that are difficult to wet, and reduces particle or droplet size. It is used wherever a product needs a uniform, stable dispersion that a gentle blending impeller cannot produce, such as creams, suspensions, and certain formulations.

What is the difference between single-use and stainless steel mixing systems?

Stainless steel mixing systems are durable, reusable, and compatible with steam sterilisation, but they require cleaning validation and changeover time between products. Single-use mixing systems use a disposable bag and impeller, removing cleaning validation and speeding changeover, at the cost of consumables and waste handling. The choice depends on batch volumes, the number of products, and the facility's design philosophy.

What should I consider when buying a mixing system?

Match the mixer type and working volume to your process, and decide between single-use and stainless steel and between magnetic, top-mounted, and high-shear designs based on your product and hygiene needs. Check the materials of construction, cleanability, drive and control system, and footprint. For a used system, confirm the condition of the vessel, drive, and seals, and the available documentation. Confirm the specification with the seller before you buy.

Where can I buy mixing systems on Machinery Masters?

Browse Machinery Masters for new and used magnetic, top-mounted, single-use, high-shear, and IBC mixers, plus buffer and media preparation systems, from verified sellers worldwide. Use the search and filter tools to narrow by type, brand, and specification, then contact sellers directly to request equipment history, service records, and technical specifications before you buy.