Essential surface treatments for the food industry

The food industry has extremely strict standards for hygiene and material selection. Stainless steel is the standard material for production lines and equipment, but not every type of stainless steel treatment guarantees trouble-free operation. This is precisely why Packo Inox has further specialized in innovative surface treatments for food companies.

Piet Heinrichs, Packo Surface Treatment business unit manager: "Our techniques increase the service life of materials, improve their performance in specific applications and enable food companies in particular to meet the highest standards of hygiene, cleanability and prevention of bacterial growth." One concrete example is electrochemical desulfurization. A common problem in the vegetable industry is black deposits on products, caused by wear and tear and impurities in the material surface. Thanks to an electrochemical desulfurization treatment, this release can be completely eliminated. A combination of electrical and chemical treatment ensures that stainless steel parts have an extremely smooth and clean surface. This is of great importance for conveyor belts and other parts that come into direct contact with food products. The treatment keeps products free of unwanted particles and extends the life of the material. 

Electropolishing and passivation

Further surface treatments with specific advantages for the food industry include electropolishing, passivation, mechanical polishing and bead blasting. The electropolishing process, for example, provides increased corrosion resistance to stainless steel. This is essential for companies working with chlorinated products, to which stainless steel is naturally sensitive. Thanks to electropolishing, corrosion resistance is significantly improved, preventing problems of premature wear and deterioration. The technique of passivation strengthens the natural oxide layer of stainless steel, making the material more resistant to chemical influences and less likely to rust. This keeps the surface hygienic and free of contamination for longer. Mechanical polishing can also be applied in advance to guarantee the desired final roughness, for example Ra < 0.8µm. In addition, Packo also offers bead blasting for a matte, even look.

For a production process without worries

The choice for electropolishing and other advanced surface treatments is not an unnecessary luxury in the food industry, but an absolute necessity. Hygiene, sustainability and product safety are key and Packo Inox offers a tailor-made solution for a production process without worries. Thanks to electrochemical treatments, there is thus no risk of blacking out, keeping vegetables and other food products completely free of unwanted metal particles. Moreover, optimum surface quality is guaranteed, which not only facilitates cleaning but also prevents the growth of bacteria. Another crucial advantage is that Packo Inox exclusively processes stainless steel in the workshop. This means that there is no chance of contamination by other metals or alloys. In addition, the density process of immersion treatments ensures a guaranteed liquid-proof result. By investing in high-quality surface treatments, food companies increase the lifespan of their facilities and also the efficiency and reliability of their production processes. Also for other industries Packo Inox has proven solutions.