Filterability prediction of needle-like crystals based on particle size and shape distribution data

•The dependence of cake resistance on size and shape of needle-like crystals is investigated.•Stereoscopic imaging and laser diffraction were used for characterization.•PLS regressions based on size and shape data successfully predict relative cake resistances.•The relative importance of fines characterization and particle shape is elucidated.•The PLS regressions are shown to be transferrable between model compounds.