Grease lightning
which aims at improving efficiencies and economies of scale for the
food and beverage processing industry.
FM2 was formulated specifically for use in machinery where rare, miniscule contact might occur between food and lubricants, the company says. Food and beverage processing/packaging plants can specify it for electric motors, pumps, conveyors, mixers, gear units, slides and ways.
Like other Shell food-grade oils, FM 2 contains additives designed to minimise wear in high-pressure applications. It is specially formulated to provide water separation, oxidation stability, corrosion resistance, adhesion/cohesion properties, and thermal stability characteristics.
The colourless, odourless, and tasteless grease meets the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) requirements for food-grade lubricants as well as similar European requirements. It is also listed on the NSF International (formerly National Sanitation Foundation) list of lubricants as H1 approved. Class H1 lubricants may be used on equipment and machine parts that are used to manufacture food and drink for human consumption.
The product is a mineral-based ('white oil') lubricant and, according to Shell, offers a cost-effective way to improve plant production while helping to ensure product safety and controlling operating expenses.
Because the NGLI No. 2 grade grease uses an aluminium complex thickener, Shell says that equipment operators can easily upgrade to the Shell Cassida family of synthetic greases, which utilises the same thickener type.
The Shell Cassida line of food grade fluids and greases was introduced in May of 2003 to provide brand protection, performance and safety requirements needed for advanced equipment and machinery.
