New food processing lubricants promise cost savings
processing industry that it claims provide added protection in
extreme temperature applications.
Purity FG Synthetic Grease provides continuous protection under normal operating conditions from -45°C to 200°C, and up to 250°C for transient periods, while Purity FG Synthetic EP Gear Fluid provides continuous protection under normal operating conditions from -35°C to 121°C.
"With processing equipment being pushed to their limits, it's essential to use lubricants that can meet or surpass operating conditions," said James McLean, category manager, speciality fluids, Petro-Canada.
"We have formulated our products to do just that."
Indeed, good plant maintenance is vital to efficient food processing. Significant cost savings can be made through regular servicing and the use of modern analytical techniques - while a break down in machinery can lead to impressive losses.
Indeed, a recent report from Dow Corning claimed that billions of euros are lost each year because of unnecessary repair work, which has to be carried out on processing equipment that has not been sufficiently lubricated. Mechanical wear in food and beverage factories due to surface degradation including mechanical wear and fatigue is often due to lubricant degradation and problems associated with related maintenance.
The food industry, said the report, is especially vulnerable. Given the wet nature of much of the manufacturing process, the constant need for wash downs, and the dramatic temperature variations from freezers to ovens, the food industry must pay particular attention to the lubricants they use.
Petro-Canada claims that Purity FG Synthetic Grease and Purity FG Synthetic EP Gear Fluid have also demonstrated better wear protection and load-carrying capability in ASTM tests versus leading competitive synthetic products. In addition, Purity FG Synthetic EP Gear Fluid outperformed the best competitive product by almost 50 per cent in preventing sludge and varnish build up, accroding to the company.
"Food processing operations are looking to keep their equipment running longer with less maintenance," said McLean. "We've responded with two lubricants that can reduce downtime and protect equipment longer under the toughest conditions. This ultimately translates into improved efficiencies and lower costs."
Petro-Canada also claims that attention to food safety has been paid. The company says that Purity FG Synthetic Grease and Purity FG Synthetic EP Gear Fluid fit perfectly in HACCP and GMP plans.
Both are H1 registered by NSF, free of genetically modified substances (GMS), and maintain food allergy safety. They are also certified Kosher and Pareve by Star K.
Purity FG is a full line of food grade products including hydraulic fluids, compressor fluids, EP gear fluids, grease, light and heavy chain fluids, MF aerosol spray, white mineral oils, heat transfer fluid and trolley fluid.
Petro-Canada has offices in Canada, the US and Europe. It blends and packages more than 350 different lubricants, speciality fluids and greases that are exported to more than 60 countries.
