The food and beverage processing industry is one of the most highly regulated industries and faces unique challenges, not least hygienically. The industry is one that impacts on all our lives, handling virtually all that we eat and drink. It relies on processing companies to deliver the product we want, where we want it, in the form we want and most importantly, reliably safe. Regulations are stringent and globally controlled through major government bodies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Trelleborg contributes to ensuring the hygienic production of food and beverages. Many of its products are integral to processing equipment such as the thousands of seals used in a typical processing line. It is vital that there is no risk of these contaminating the system. That means that they must be compatible with sometimes aggressive process media and withstand the stringent cleaning regimes involving destructive chemicals. Special hoses and couplings are also provided. These are used in everything from dry goods transport to wine production. Trelleborg's vibration isolation solutions are used under the base of food processing equipment.
Seals for filling heads: Ultra clean seals prevent leakage and ensure there is no contamination at the critical filling stage of production. Products: Variseal Ultraclean, O-Rings
Seals for valves in the filling mechanism: Valves control the amount of liquid fed into the bottle. Low-friction seals that withstand aggressive cleaning regimes are required in these dynamic applications. Products: scrapers, moulded components, Glyd Ring, wipers
Seals for bottle lifters: Seals are required for the pneumatic pistons within the cylinders that lift the bottles for filling. The low-friction and wear resistance of seals are important to maximise productivity. Products: Slydring, Glyd Ring
Hoses meet standards: Trelleborg supplies hoses and couplings for food processing applications. These are designed and manufactured with hygiene in mind. Compounds are compliant with global food standards, while smooth extruded inner tubes can withstand aggressive cleaning regimes. This combined with specially designed coupling systems means no bacterial growth is possible on hose assemblies.
Seals for hygienic-design couplings: Hygienic-design couplings are located at virtually every connection in the system. Gaskets and seals must withstand stringent cleaning-in-place regimes to give long-life and no contamination. Products: sanitary gaskets, O-Rings
Anti-vibration isolation: isolation systems reduce vibration to the support structure of equipment by up to 90 percent and significantly lower noise levels. Products are supplied in a variety of different polymer compounds along with silicone and stainless steel for critical food production applications. Products: Cushyfoot, TF bushes.
Seals for rotary distributor and bearings: The rotary mechanism distributes the media being processed around the processing system. Special dynamic seals keep grease, cleaning fluids and water out of rotary bearings. Products: Roto Variseal, Turcon Varilip PDR, X-Ring, radial oil seal.
For more information, visit www.trelleborg.com
