Lubrication for poultry chilling tunnels and shock coolers

Chilling tunnels and shock coolers are critical for food safety in poultry processing. Equipment in these zones operates under extreme cold, continuous condensation, moisture ingress and regular high-pressure sanitation. Bearing temperatures at lubrication points are higher than the surrounding ambient air, but the combination of cold, moisture and cleaning chemicals still causes standard greases to harden or wash away. The result is frozen bearings, stiff chains and gearbox leakage in a zone where contamination of chilled product is a direct food safety risk.

Documented results

• Frozen bearing failures eliminated in documented spiral chiller applications
• Annual spare part savings of €1,500–€2,100 per chiller unit
• Downtime reduced by 3–6 hours per year per chiller
• Chain lifetime extended 2–3x with low-temperature resistant chain oil
• No routine gearbox oil changes, reducing downtime and contamination risk
• No oil or rust dripping in cold zones, improving hygiene and audit readiness

All food-grade lubricants

Typical failures and Interflon solutions

• Chains and conveyors – corrosion and stiff operation due to condensation, low temperatures and cleaning chemicals.
  →Interflon Food Lube G150* is fortified with MicPol® technology. . It penetrates into chain links and forms a durable, water-resistant lubrication film that withstands water, steam and disinfectants. It helps prevent rust and stiff operation and helps extend chain life in cold environments.
  → For colder lubrication points (sub-zero component temperatures) or where an oil is required, Interflon Food Lube LT is the preferred option where suitable for the lubrication system.
• Bearings – grease washout and premature seizure in cold, wet zones.
  →  Interflon Food Grease LT2:: designed for low-temperature environments. Water-resistant and stable under washdowns, LT2 extends bearing lifetime and can reduce relubrication in chilling tunnels and cold zones.
  → If an oil is required for very low component temperatures, use Interflon Food Lube LT where appropriate.
• Gearboxes – oil thickening, leakage, overheating, frequent oil changes, contamination risk.
  → Interflon Food Grease HD00: a semi-fluid grease that can replace conventional oils in cold-storage gearboxes where compatible with gearbox design and OEM guidance. It helps prevent oil thickening at low temperatures, reduces leakage and can lower operating temperature and energy use (application dependent).
• Hygiene risks – lubricant dripping or rust water contaminating product, causing audit non-conformities.
  →Interflon Metal Clean F, Interflon Degreaser EM30+ and Power Wipes:: remove residues and contamination without harmful deposits. They support hygiene programmes and HACCP/BRC audits.

All lubricants are PFAS-free and NSF H1 certified (Halal & Kosher). Cleaning products are PFAS-free and carry the appropriate NSF cleaner categories (e.g., A1/K1/K3). See product pages for the exact category.

Want to know more? Get in touch with our lubrication specialists for free advice.

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* While Interflon Food Lube G150 is our primary recommendation for most poultry chain applications, Interflon Food Lube G220 can be an excellent alternative for slightly higher mechanical loads or short-term temperature peaks, where appropriate for the equipment and lubrication system.
Thanks to its higher viscosity and strong adhesion, Food Lube G220 is also well suited as a rationalisation product.