Caleva
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1970
- HeadquartersSturminster Newton, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Caleva does
Caleva Process Solutions Ltd. is a UK-based, privately held manufacturer specializing in laboratory and small-scale production equipment for wet granulation extrusion-spheronization. Founded in the 1970s and headquartered in Sturminster Newton, Dorset, the company designs and builds bench-top R&D systems (Multi Lab Classic, Multi Lab Scientific, Mini Coater Classic, and the Mixer Torque Rheometer), accessories (Multi Bowl Spheronization Kit, Variable Density Kit), and production-scale extrusion-spheronization lines at 50, 100, and 150 kg per hour throughput, including the Variable Density Twin Screw Extruder (VD-TSE70). All contact parts are 316-grade stainless steel, and the operation is ISO 9001:2015 certified (Cert No. 1503) under Managing Director Richard Lovell.
The business model centers on direct sales of laboratory hardware supported by spares kits, IQ/OQ validation, training, installation/commissioning, and ongoing technical support services. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Over 75% of sales are made to overseas customers via a distributor network spanning 50+ countries. Caleva's primary verticals are pharmaceutical formulation and catalyst manufacturing, with secondary applications in nutraceutical, food, cosmetic, agriculture, academic research, and emerging areas such as circular economy, aquaculture, carbon capture, ceramics, and sustainable fuels. Named customers include Imperial College London, Nobel İlaç, IGTL Technology, London Metropolitan University, Rhodes University, Worn Again, Aurobindo, and the Bernal Institute at the University of Limerick, indicating a diversified academic and enterprise base.
The go-to-market combines technical content marketing (knowledge base, published papers, free online demos, YouTube), presence at events like CPHI Frankfurt, and direct field sales from UK headquarters. The company has no disclosed funding rounds, no parent company, no listed patents or trademarks, and an estimated 11–50 employees, consistent with a niche specialty-equipment manufacturer rather than a venture-backed scale-up.
Caleva firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Caleva
- Legal name
- Caleva Process Solutions Ltd.
- Website
- https://caleva.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1970
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Caleva is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sturminster Newton
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Caleva business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Laboratory Equipment Sales: Sale of bench-top laboratory equipment including extruders, spheronizers, mixers, coaters, and the Mixer Torque Rheometer for formulation development, R&D, and small-scale production across pharmaceutical, catalyst, nutraceutical, and other industries.
- Production Scale Equipment: Larger capacity extrusion and spheronization systems for clinical trials, pilot production, and large-scale batch manufacturing (50kg/hour to 150kg/hour throughput).
- Spares and Consumables: Replacement parts, consumables, and spares kits for Caleva machines including extruder screws, dies, spheronizer discs, seals, and barrel parts.
- Professional Services: Training (online or on-site), installation and commissioning, IQ/OQ validation test protocols, equipment calibration, technical support, and service contracts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom quotation based on equipment specifications and configuration |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Caleva product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Caleva designs, engineers, and manufactures laboratory and production-scale equipment for pharmaceutical, catalyst, nutraceutical, food, and chemical formulation development. Its portfolio spans bench-top units (Multi Lab Classic/Scientific, Mini Coater Classic, Mixer Torque Rheometer) for R&D at 10-50g batch sizes and production-scale extrusion-spheronization systems (50-150 kg/hour) for clinical trials and manufacturing. The company also provides installation, commissioning, training, IQ/OQ validation, and ongoing technical support.
Product overview
Caleva Process Solutions manufactures a comprehensive range of laboratory equipment for formulation development and scale-up in the pharmaceutical, catalyst, nutraceutical, and related industries. The product portfolio consists of bench-top R&D machines (Multi Lab Classic, Multi Lab Scientific, Mini Coater Classic, and Mixer Torque Rheometer) designed for small-batch proof-of-concept work, complemented by a scale-up pathway through production systems processing 50kg, 100kg, and 150kg per hour. The Multi Lab series provides integrated mixing, extrusion, and spheronization in a single bench-top unit, while the Mixer Torque Rheometer enables quantitative characterization of wet granulation rheology. Scale-up equipment includes dedicated twin screw extruders and spheronizers (S500, S700) at increasing production capacities. Caleva also offers comprehensive spares, training, installation, commissioning, and technical support services. All contact parts are manufactured from 316 grade stainless steel, and equipment is designed for tool-less assembly, easy cleaning, and minimal maintenance. The company operates under ISO 9001:2015 certification.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Multi Lab: Bench-top laboratory system for mixing, extruding, and spheronizing - available in Classic and Scientific variants
- Mixer Torque Rheometer (MTR)
- Mini Coater Classic (MCC)
- Spheronizer
- Twin Screw Extruder
- Multi Bowl Spheronizer
Products and services
- Multi Lab Classic
Quantifiable outcome
- Some customers have characterized up to 15 different formulations in a single day using the Mixer Torque Rheometer
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Caleva
Customer profileNamed customers21 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Caleva technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Caleva partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered notable and core.
- Imperial College LondonnotableImperial College London uses Caleva Multi Lab Scientific equipment for pellet/bead formulation research. The equipment was noted for seamless operation, ease of use, and production of high-quality batches.
- Nobel İlaçnotableNobel İlaç uses Caleva Mixer Torque Rheometer (MTR) for wet granulation formulation studies, expressing sincere appreciation for the critical component in their pharmaceutical R&D.
- IGTL Technology LTDnotableIGTL Technology uses Caleva CML and MTR equipment for catalyst material research, achieving accurate measurements and precise repeatability for scale-up studies.
- London Metropolitan UniversitynotableDr Matthew Lam at London Metropolitan University used Caleva Multi Lab for development of Liqui-Pellet technology, an emerging next generation oral dosage form.
- University of South AustralianotableUniversity of South Australia purchased Caleva Extruder 20, Multi Bowl Spheronizer, and Mini Coater/Dryer in 2013 and 2019 for research activities with user-friendly operating systems.
- The Medway School of PharmacynotableDr Francis Brako uses Caleva MTR and Multi-Lab for reformulating existing APIs into smarter formulations to minimize pill burden and improve access to essential medicines.
- Worn AgainnotableWorn Again (circular economy/recycling company) worked with Caleva as a true partner to find creative solutions to difficult engineering problems during technology transfer from R&D to production.
- Bernal Institute, University of LimerickcoreThe Caleva Powder Extrusion Suite is an invaluable resource for research at the Bernal Institute, particularly for the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technology Centre (PMTC) activities.
- Osaka Metropolitan UniversitynotableDepartment of Chemical Engineering uses Caleva Mixer Torque Rheometer (MTR) for overcoming consistency challenges in the iron making sector.
- Confidential Major Pharmaceutical ManufacturercoreA major pharmaceutical, biotech & nutraceutical manufacturer with extensive product portfolio uses Caleva Production Extruder & Spheronizer System for large-scale trials and manufacturing.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Caleva competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- GEA Group: Global large-cap process technology supplier serving pharma, food, and chemical industries with a broad portfolio that overlaps Caleva in granulation, extrusion, and pelletizing. Competes indirectly via integrated, larger-scale process lines.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific: Diversified life-sciences and laboratory equipment giant. Overlaps with Caleva in pharmaceutical R&D laboratory instrumentation but at vastly larger scale and broader portfolio.
Direct peers
- Hosokawa Micron Group: Specialist in powder and particle processing technology including agglomeration, extrusion, and spheronization. Closely comparable to Caleva in catalyst and chemical pellet production equipment.
- Epworth Machine Company: US-based process equipment manufacturer specializing in mixing, kneading, and extrusion technology for chemical and pharmaceutical applications. Comparable to Caleva in extrusion-based process equipment for specialty formulations.
- Glatt Group: German-headquartered specialist in pharmaceutical process technology including granulation, coating, and fluid-bed systems. Directly competes with Caleva in pharmaceutical pellet and particle processing equipment, but with a much broader portfolio and global manufacturing footprint.
- Freund-Vector Corporation: US-based manufacturer of granulation, coating, and pelletizing equipment for the pharmaceutical and nutritional industries. Direct competitor in extrusion-spheronization and rotor processing for pellets.
- L.B. Bohle Maschinen + Verfahren: German manufacturer of pharmaceutical processing equipment including wet granulation, coating, and continuous manufacturing systems. Overlaps with Caleva in wet granulation and extrusion-spheronization for solid oral dosage forms.
- Fitzpatrick (IDEX MPT): Manufacturer of size reduction, compaction, and granulation equipment for pharmaceutical and chemical applications. Comparable to Caleva in formulation development and powder processing equipment for R&D and production.
- IKA Works: German laboratory and process equipment manufacturer with overlapping product lines in mixing, granulation, and laboratory-scale formulation development used in pharma and chemical R&D.
Regional players
- Awila (AWILA Maschinenbau): German specialist in extrusion and processing equipment for feed, food, and specialty industries. Comparable in pellet extrusion technology but primarily serves agricultural and aquafeed markets rather than pharmaceutical/catalyst R&D.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Caleva social profiles
Digital presenceCaleva compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Caleva financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Caleva leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Caleva funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Caleva M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Caleva
What does Caleva do?
Caleva designs, engineers, and manufactures laboratory and production-scale equipment for pharmaceutical, catalyst, nutraceutical, food, and chemical formulation development. Its portfolio spans bench-top units (Multi Lab Classic/Scientific, Mini Coater Classic, Mixer Torque Rheometer) for R&D at 10-50g batch sizes and production-scale extrusion-spheronization systems (50-150 kg/hour) for clinical trials and manufacturing. The company also provides installation, commissioning, training, IQ/OQ validation, and ongoing technical support.
Is Caleva a public or private company?
Caleva is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Caleva founded?
Caleva was founded in 1970. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Caleva based?
Caleva is headquartered in Sturminster Newton, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Caleva make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Laboratory Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are production Scale Equipment, spares and Consumables and professional Services.
Who are Caleva's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are GEA Group and Thermo Fisher Scientific. Direct peers are Hosokawa Micron Group, Epworth Machine Company, Glatt Group, Freund-Vector Corporation, L.B. Bohle Maschinen + Verfahren, Fitzpatrick (IDEX MPT) and IKA Works. Awila (AWILA Maschinenbau) is listed as a regional player.
Does Caleva have an API?
No public API is recorded for Caleva.