Belts for the Food Industry
If you work in the food industry or partner with food factories, you must see the rapid increase of food processing conveyor belts in the production field. Because these food belts can significantly improve the productivity and quality of food processing at affordable prices.
As an insider, you must know that there are different standards for food production facilities for the safety issue of food, and there is no exception for food conveyor belts.
In this article by Bsbeltfactoy, one of the top food conveyor belt manufacturers, our food belt experts with rich experience will introduce the characteristics of food grade belts, and the 5 best materials for food processing conveyor belts with benefits and drawbacks as well as suitable applications.
What are the Characteristics of Food Grade Conveyor Belt?
When it comes to food grade conveyor belt materials, it is essential to consider both the belt material characteristics and the specific requirements for food processing.
Using only food grade conveyor belt materials is crucial to prioritize the safety and well-being of consumers. It is worth noting that different countries and regions have varying standards, such as the FDA in the USA.
Furthermore, the conveyor belt must be capable of withstanding the unique working conditions that come with processing different types of food.
Basically, it’s essential to prioritize the safety and hygiene of food production belts. As such, it’s crucial to use materials that are non-toxic, odorless, and can withstand high temperatures, corrosion, wear, and oil. Additionally, these belts should be easy to clean and sanitize to ensure the highest standards of food safety and sanitation.
Besides that, the belts should be durable enough to withstand the weight and pressure of conveying food, while sometimes also able to withstand low or high temperatures, if necessary.
The 5 Best Materials for Food Handling Conveyor Belts
The conveyor belt industry offers a variety of food-grade materials to meet the specific needs of different applications. The most commonly used materials are PVC, PU, SIR, and PTFE. Each material has unique advantages and is suitable for a specific food processing application.
PVC is one of the most commonly used materials, it has excellent wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and high-temperature resistance, and is suitable for a variety of different food industries. The PU conveyor belt has excellent elasticity and wear resistance and is suitable for conveying small particles, and foods with high oil and protein content. The conveyor belt made of SIR material has good flexibility and stability and is suitable for conveying high-temperature food. The conveyor belt made of PTFE is suitable for conveying highly corrosive, high-temperature, and high-pressure food.
In the following part, we will demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of each type of food conveyor belt material and its application scenarios in detail.
1.PU
PU food conveyor belts are a highly preferred choice in food production due to their adhesive surface made of polyurethane. These belts are transparent, clean, and can directly come in contact with food without any concerns. They offer multiple advantages such as oil resistance, water resistance, cut resistance, thinness, toughness, and lift resistance, making them suitable for conveying various types of food including those with small particles, and high fat and protein content, such as bread, biscuits, candy, meat, etc. The smooth surface of the PU conveyor belt makes it easy to clean, ensuring optimal food hygiene and safety.
However, it’s important to note that these belts cannot withstand high-temperature environments or strong acid-base environments, which may result in material damage or chemical reactions that could impact the quality and safety of food.
Bsbeltfactory has developed a high-quality PU food-grade conveyor belt that meets FDA standards and has been widely applied by food factories around the globe.
2.PVC
PVC food conveyor belts are a popular choice in the food industry due to their relatively low cost compared to other materials. Made from polyvinyl chloride, they possess stable physical and chemical properties that make them non-toxic, tasteless, lightweight, and durable. These belts can withstand the impact and wear of heavy objects, as well as various acids and alkalis without corroding easily. Their smooth surface does not accumulate food residue, making them easy to clean.
In food production, PVC food belts find applications in different stages such as food processing, transportation, packaging, testing, etc. It is important to note that PVC conveyor belts are not suitable for high-temperature environments due to the risk of producing harmful substances that could contaminate the food.
3.PE
PE food-grade conveyor belts are designed using polyolefin hydrogen, which offers excellent acid and alkali resistance. This makes them highly suitable for conveying food substances that might contain acidic or alkaline agents without getting corroded. They have a smooth surface with good lubricity, which helps to maintain the integrity of the food being transported by preventing it from sticking during the conveying process. Furthermore, these belts meet the food-grade standards set by the US FDA and are non-toxic when burned at high temperatures. They are ideal for use in the tobacco and food industries.
Although PE conveyor belts have some limitations, they are most effective when used for products that require transmission at low temperatures. Unfortunately, they cannot be used for foods consisting of organic solvents or fatty substances, as their chemical composition is not resistant to such materials, making them prone to damage.
4.SIR
Silicone food-grade conveyor belts are an excellent choice for conveying food products due to their outstanding properties. They have exceptional physiological inertia, contain no toxic substances, and do not emit harmful gases or chemicals that may harm human health. They can withstand high temperatures, with some types of silicone conveyor belts capable of handling up to 300°C, making them ideal for use in high-temperature environments. Additionally, these belts have a non-stick surface, preventing food residues, grease, and other impurities from adhering, thereby maintaining food hygiene and safety.
Silicone materials are highly resistant to strong acids, alkalis, and organic solvents, resulting in their widespread use in the food processing industry. Silicone conveyor belts can handle large viscosity dough, fructose, chocolate sauce, and acidic, alkaline, and high-humidity foods.
Despite the numerous advantages of silicone conveyor belts, they are unsuitable for certain food transmissions. For example, when conveying food containing high-fat content or solvents, the silicone may react with the substance, leading to hardening or brittleness, damaging the surface of the conveyor belt. Moreover, silicone conveyor belts are not suitable for the transmission of high-temperature foods, as prolonged exposure to high temperatures may cause them to lose their elasticity and break.
Therefore, while silicone conveyor belts excel in most food applications, they are not appropriate for production lines that convey foods containing high-fat content, solvents, or require high-temperature transmission. In such cases, conveyor belts made of Teflon, PVC, or similar materials may be more suitable.
5.Teflon
Teflon food conveyor belts have become increasingly popular in the food-baking industry for several reasons.
Firstly, Teflon conveyor belts have exceptional high-temperature resistance and can withstand the rigorous process of high-temperature baking and drying. Compared to stainless steel mesh belts, Teflon mesh belts have superior high-temperature resistance and are less likely to rust and damage food. Additionally, Teflon mesh belts have a strong non-stick and anti-stick effect, preventing food from sticking and making them easy to clean. They also do not release gases or toxic substances harmful to human health.
Secondly, Teflon mesh belts have impressive tensile strength, are fatigue-resistant, and are unlikely to break even in harsh environments. They possess excellent properties such as corrosion resistance, weather resistance, high lubrication, non-stickiness, and non-toxicity, making them suitable for various processing conditions and environments.
Teflon mesh belts are used for drying foods like chrysanthemums, dehydrated vegetables, soybeans, peanuts, and wheat, as well as baking foods like mooncakes, biscuits, steamed buns, and flat cakes. They are also widely used as drying conveyor belts and food grid baking plates.
Conclusion
When selecting a food-grade belt for food industry, it’s important to consider the specific needs of the application. By choosing the right material, businesses can ensure that their products are transported safely and efficiently.
So finding a reliable conveyor belt manufacturer is vital. Many companies promise high-quality products but fail to make them happen. Trusted food conveyor belt manufacturers like Bsbeltfactory put quality at first place, and our promises of quality are guaranteed by certificates from FDA/CE/ROHS/REACH/ISO
If you want to customize your bulk orders, contact us and meet your business needs.
