Virtually solvent-free crystal form of the sodium salt of Cephacetril

Process for the manufacture of a virtually solvent free crystal form of the sodium salt of Cephacetril, which has the following X-ray diffraction spectrum:

• ______________________________________ Relative line Interplanar spacings intensities d in A I ______________________________________ 15.2 m 10.7 m 7.86 m 7.60 w 7.03 m 5.04 m-st 4.94 w 4.65 st 4.39 st 4.10 vst 4.01 m 3.66 m 3.59 vw 3.50 st 3.36 vw 3.30 m 3.18 m 3.11 vw 3.04 w 3.02 w 2.96 w 2.88 w ______________________________________
• the relative line intensities indicated having the following meanings:
• vst = very strong, st = strong, m = medium, w = weak and vw = very weak, wherein the sodium salt of Cephacetril is caused to crystallise from a supersaturated, aqueous-ethanolic solution in which the solvent contains about 4 to 12% of water and at a temperature of between 30.degree. and 0.degree. C.