Lubrication for poultry bleeding lines
Bleeding line conveyors operate in one of the most contamination-intensive environments in poultry processing. Overhead chains and shackles carry full carcass loads while being continuously exposed to blood, high-pressure washdowns, aggressive disinfectants and steam. Standard lubricants wash away within hours. The result is chain corrosion, stiff shackles, bearing failure and gearbox leakage directly above the product line.
The hygiene consequence is immediate. Dripping oil or rust water onto carcasses is one of the most cited causes of HACCP non-conformities and BRC audit findings on bleeding lines. Solving the lubrication problem solves the compliance problem at the same time.
Interflon's PFAS-free, NSF H1 lubricants with MicPol® technology maintain film integrity through every washdown cycle, resist blood and disinfectant exposure and keep chains, shackles and gearboxes running without drip risk. In documented bleeding line applications at European poultry plants including Plukon, chain lifetime doubled and dripping oil was eliminated.
Documented results
- Chain lifetime doubled from 1.5 to 3 years in documented bleeding line applications
- Dripping oil eliminated, removing a primary source of HACCP non-conformities
- Shackle seizure and stiff operation eliminated after daily washdowns
- Relubrication interval extended from weekly to monthlyInterflon Food Grease HD00
- No routine gearbox oil changes, reducing maintenance time and contamination risk
- Lubricant consumption reduced by 70–80%
Typical failures and Interflon solutions
- Chains and shackles – corrosion and stiff operation after washdowns, frequent replacement.
→ Interflon Food Lube G150* is fortified with MicPol® technology. It penetrates into chain links and forms a durable, water-resistant lubrication film that withstands heavy washdowns. Prevents rust, keeps shackles moving freely and extends chain lifetime. - Bearings – grease washout from continuous exposure to blood and cleaning water, premature failure.
→ Interflon Food Grease LT2 (for low-temperature areas) or Food Grease HD2 (for humid or high-load conditions). Water-resistant, remain in place even under heavy washdowns, extending bearing lifetime and reducing relubrication. - Gearboxes – leakage, overheating, frequent oil changes, contamination risk.
→ Interflon Food Grease HD00 is the preferred solution. Interflon Food Lube G220 can be used in non-automatic gearbox systems where temperatures allow. Both replace conventional oils, eliminate routine oil changes, reduce leakage and contamination risk, lower temperature and save energy. - Hygiene risks – dripping oil or rust water onto product, leading to audit non-conformities.
→ Interflon Metal Clean F, Interflon Degreaser EM30+, Power Wipes: remove blood residues and old grease without harmful deposits, supporting audit compliance and hygiene standards.
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.
* 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.
Related content
Frequently Asked Questions about lubrication for poultry bleeding lines
The recommended lubricant for overhead chains on poultry bleeding lines is Interflon Food Lube G150, a PFAS-free, NSF H1 high-adhesion chain oil that resists displacement by blood, high-pressure water and disinfectants. It uses MicPol® technology to bond to chain links and maintain a protective film between cleaning cycles. In documented bleeding line applications, switching to Food Lube G150 or G220 doubled chain lifetime from 1.5 to 3 years and eliminated rust-related shackle seizure.
Oil dripping onto carcasses on poultry bleeding lines is stopped by replacing conventional chain oils with a high-adhesion NSF H1 lubricant that maintains a controlled film without excess accumulation. Interflon Food Lube G150, applied via an automatic micro-dosing system, delivers a precise amount of lubricant directly onto chain links without build-up or drip. In documented applications, this eliminated dripping oil and removed a primary source of HACCP non-conformities on bleeding line conveyors.
Maintaining HACCP compliance on poultry bleeding lines requires eliminating three lubrication-related risks: dripping oil above the product, rust water from corroded chains and gearbox leakage. Interflon's NSF H1 lubricants with MicPol® technology address all three. Food Lube G150 eliminates drip and corrosion on chains and shackles. Food Grease HD00 eliminates gearbox leakage. All products are individually NSF H1 registered, ISO 21469 certified and PFAS-free, supporting full HACCP and BRC audit documentation.