Whether portioned, packaged or bottled - in the automated processing of beverages and food, it is crucial that seals in machines and systems are hygienic and safe. Trelleborg Sealing Solutions will be showcasing its systems and materials at drinktec in Munich.
„Filling systems, processing and packaging machines in the food and beverage industry consist of numerous components and installations. The cleaning processes are correspondingly labour-intensive,“ says Martin Krüger, Division Manager for Food, Beverage & Potable Water Applications at Trelleborg Sealing Solutions Germany. „
Two challenges can be overcome with hygienic design. If systems are designed according to the principle of hygienic design, they can not only simplify cleaning processes, but also significantly shorten cleaning times. Downtimes can be reduced, hygiene standards met and food safety guaranteed.
Trelleborg takes a holistic approach to the development of its seals for the food and beverage industry: with Hygienic Design, the company not only covers the selection of suitable materials, but also the design development of the moulded parts. Here, the experts use finite element analysis (FEA) to simulate the behaviour of moulded parts under installation and application conditions. This allows the function of the seal to be improved even before the prototype is produced.
Cleaning systems is extremely important, especially when frequently changing beverages or liquid foods. For seals, hygienic design ultimately means avoiding porous or scratched surfaces where microorganisms and bacteria can accumulate. Trelleborg has therefore developed the perfluoroelastomer material Isolast. This is practically inert, i.e. chemically inactive against media such as solvents, acids, bases or vapour. Thanks to the material, filling systems can be operated safely and hygienically at extreme operating temperatures.
Trelleborg Sealing Solutions will be at Drinktec 2022 in Munich at booth 426, hall B3
