Food processing valves
PRECISION SEALING FOR FOOD-GRADE VALVES: EXCELLENCE & SAFETY
Food-grade valves must meet stringent requirements to ensure consumer safety and compliance with strict international standards. The materials used must meet criteria for chemical compatibility, thermal resistance, and organoleptic neutrality, while adhering to regulations such as FDA, ACS, KTW, and WRAS. Reliability and hygiene are critical in this sector, where quality leaves no room for compromise.
Specific Challenges in Sealing for Food-Grade Valves
Regulatory Compliance: Adherence to standards for food contact, including FDA, NSF, and EU 1935/2004.
Absolute Neutrality: No transfer of taste, odor, or unwanted components to food products.
Resistance to Intense Cleaning: Ability to withstand frequent cleaning cycles at high temperatures and pressures, along with exposure to aggressive cleaning agents.
Enhanced Durability: Maintaining sealing performance despite mechanical and thermal stresses.
Essential Applications in the Food Industry
Our sealing solutions are used in various critical applications, including:
Valves and taps for controlling food-grade fluids (milk, juice, water, oil).
Distribution systems in packaging and filling lines.
Processing installations for the dairy, brewing, and food transformation industries.
Specialized equipment such as coffee machines, blenders, and vending machines.
FRANCE JOINT: TAILORED SOLUTIONS FOR EVERY CHALLENGE
Our Product Families for Food-Grade Valves
- Food-grade O-rings
- Clamp seals and jackets
- DIN and DIN-L seals, single D-rings
- SMS L and SMS R seals
- Aseptic flat gaskets
- Rings and membranes
- Custom technical parts
Key Compounds for Food-Grade Sealing: NBR, EPDM, FKM, VMQ, PTFE, PEEK, PEHD
NBR (Nitrile Butadiene): The Solution for Animal and Vegetable Fats
NBR is particularly suited for environments in contact with fatty foods. Its robust mechanical properties and chemical resistance make it an ideal choice for specific food applications.
Temperature Range: -30°C to +100°C for continuous use, up to +120°C for short periods.
Applications: Meat and poultry processing, systems handling oils and fats.
Advantages: High performance with animal and vegetable fats. Excellent mechanical resistance. Cost-effective solution for moderate cleaning environments.
FKM (Fluoroelastomer): Steam and Fat Resistant
FKM excels in environments requiring resistance to high temperatures and rich fats. It is designed for processes involving intensive cleaning cycles (CIP/SIP).
Temperature Range: Up to +200°C for continuous operation.
Applications: Systems producing high-fat dairy products, vegetable oils, and steam environments.
Advantages: Excellent resistance to steam and ozone. Compatible with lubricants and most cleaning agents.
VMQ (Silicone): Thermal Flexibility and Chemical Inertness
Silicones offer exceptional flexibility in extreme thermal environments while remaining chemically inert. They are preferred for applications where adhesion and contamination must be avoided.
Temperature Range: -60°C to +200°C.
Applications: Beverage production, food processing exposed to ozone and oxygen.
Advantages: Resistance to high temperatures and excellent cold flexibility. Very low surface energy to avoid adhesion. Optimal performance with hot water, oils, and fats.
PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene): Chemical Versatility
PTFE is known for its universal chemical compatibility and its ability to function in high-temperature environments. It offers optimized performance for the food industry.
Temperature Range: Broad, from very low to high temperatures (up to +260°C depending on the grade).
Applications: Dynamic processes, filling systems, mixing equipment.
Advantages: Exceptional chemical resistance and self-lubricating properties. Smooth surface reducing contaminant buildup. Ideal for CIP/SIP cycles.
PEEK and PEHD: Robustness in Abrasive Environments
Advanced plastic materials like PEEK and PEHD offer exceptional wear resistance and durability in abrasive environments while ensuring food-grade compatibility.
Temperature Range: Up to +250°C for PEEK.
Applications: Dosing equipment, valves, pumps, mixers, and centrifuges.
Advantages: High abrasion resistance and toughness. Dimensional stability at high temperatures. Suitable for reciprocating or slow-moving applications.
Essential Certifications for Global Food-Grade Compliance
In food-grade sealing, compliance with local and international regulations is paramount. France Joint ensures solutions tailored to each market with certified materials adhering to the strictest standards.
European Certifications
ACS (Attestation de Conformité Sanitaire): Certifies material compatibility with potable water in France, ensuring no harmful substance migration.
CE 1935/2004: Applies to all materials in contact with food in the EU, imposing strict limits on chemical migration to safeguard food safety.
North American Certifications
FDA (Food and Drug Administration): Ensures materials used in seals are safe for food contact, covering polymers like FFKM, PTFE, and silicones under specific standards (21 CFR 177.2600 for elastomers).
NSF 51: Certifies materials for food-processing equipment, ensuring they do not release contaminants.
3-A Sanitary Standards: Guarantees compliance for equipment used in the dairy and food industries, ensuring materials are hygienic and suitable for aseptic production.
Beverage and Spirits Certifications
BNIC (Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac): Specific regulation for cognac and spirits production, ensuring materials preserve the organoleptic qualities of the products.
WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme): Primarily focused on potable water in the UK, but also applicable to industrial equipment in beverage production.
Why Choose France Joint?
Global Certifications: FDA, ACS, KTW, WRAS, and more.
Proven Expertise: Over 40 years of experience in food-grade sealing.
Custom Solutions: Tailored support for your most complex challenges.
Quality Commitment: Full compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and IATF 16949.
Looking for sealing solutions that guarantee safety, durability, and compliance? At France Joint, we leverage our expertise to support your projects. Contact our team today for a free consultation and discover how our solutions can elevate your food-grade equipment to the highest standards of reliability and efficiency.