Extended lifetime, less grease and fewer stoppages.
From weekly to monthly lubrication of conveyor chains
Initial situation
At a poultry plant in Belgium (Plukon), infeed and overhead conveyor chains required weekly lubrication to cope with daily washdowns and disinfectants. Conventional oils washed out quickly, leading to rust, stiff operation and premature chain failure.
- Lubrication frequency: 52× per year.
- Labour time: ~20 minutes per lubrication round = ~17 hours per year.
- Chain lifetime: ≈ 1.5 years.
- Chain replacement cost: ~€5.000 per set.
Solution
Chains were lubricated with Interflon Food Lube G220 (PFAS-free, NSF H1). Its dry lubrication film with MicPol® technology penetrates deep into chain links and resists washdowns and disinfectants, eliminating rust and stiff movement.
Results
- Lubrication frequency reduced → from weekly (52×) to monthly (12×).
- Labour savings → 40 interventions avoided = ~13 hours/year.
- Lubricant use reduced → estimated 70–80% reduction.
- Chain lifetime doubled → from ~1.5 years to ~3 years.
- Spare part savings → avoiding ~1 chain replacement every 3 years = ~€1.600/year.
- Improved hygiene → no dripping oil, audit-ready.
Conclusion
By switching to Food Lube G220, Plukon reduced lubrication work by 75%, saved ~13 hours/year in labour, cut lubricant use by up to 80% and extended chain lifetime. The result: smoother conveyors, fewer stoppages and annual savings of ~€2.000–€2.500, with full HACCP/BRC audit compliance.
