This study deals with the wet granulation in a high shear mixer. The experimental apparatus is a laboratory scale "Lodige" granulator, with a maximum volume of 201, equipped with a chopper and a pneumatic spraying system. The main objective of the study is to point out the effect of physico-chemical properties and operating conditions on the growth mechanisms and kinetics in this type of granulation device. Two kinds of alumina with different particle size distributions (alumina SH100 and alumina SH30) were granulated using various Newtonian liquids having different surface tension, viscosity, binder concentration, density, etc. (water, aqueous solutions of polyethyleneglycol or polyvinyl alcohol). Experimental results showed that the granulation process generally proceeds through three distinct growth regimes independent of the nature of the powder, the binder liquid or the operating conditions. However, the transition between different regimes depends on the physico-chemical properties of the solids and liquids, on operating conditions and on the experimental procedure. For the alumina powder used in this study the transition occurs when a degree of liquid saturation of about 68% is reached. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.