Manufacturing Process (MP)
Even if you are mixing and bottling water you will want to have your order of addition, mixing steps. The order in which your ingredients are added is important and sometimes vital.
A typical mixing process begins with heating a water phase and water-soluble ingredients. The next phase is when you will see a thickener such as xanthan gum with glycerin added to the water and other ingredients. If the product has an oil in it, in a separate vessel, the oil is also heated and can include emulsifiers such as glyceryl stearate. During this mixing and heating a propeller/impeller might be used to mix it up.
Your manufacturing process document tells your operators how to step and repeat your product from start to finish.
Additional things you want to get familiar with (if applicable):
Order of Addition Steps Example – “Add phase A ingredients into a heat resistant glass beaker. Add Ingredients 3-6 to the water and blend. Add the thickener to the mix, blend well. Let sit for 30minuntil hydrated then mix again well. Can also be left overnight for fully dispersion. For Phase B, add Ingredient 7&8, stir. Heat both beakers to about 170F/75C until melted. Add phase B to phase A under good agitation. Begin cooling. At 100F/40C add phase C and blend well. Adjust until it’s pH is equal to 5.”
Mixing Speed – Mixing speeds are universally generally measured in Revolutions per Minute (RPM).
Temperature – Temperature is required and should be paid attention to even if you do not have temperatures required. Think about it, no temperature is a temperature. Even if your product is meant for ambient temperatures you might want to specify that. That way if your product is sensitive to heat and is usually at ambient temperatures, if a facility that is manufacturing your product is in Arizona with no temperature regulated mixing rooms, then your product will be susceptible to temperature change.
ℹ Ensure to pay attention to your temperatures as well as mixing times. You can overmix a product which can cause immediate or long term stability issues.