Sugar mills and food plants need two kinds of belt: rugged belts for cane, bagasse and bulk grain, and clean, food grade belts wherever the belt touches food.
Belt by duty
| Duty | Typical belt |
|---|---|
| Cane and bagasse | EP 400/4 4+2 Y |
| Sugar, salt, grain (food contact) | EP 400/3 4+2 FG |
| Oil seeds | EP 400/3 4+2 G |
| Packed food and bags | EP 315/3 3+1.5 FG |
Cane yard and mill conveyors
Cane carriers and mill feeders take heavy, fibrous cane with stones and soil mixed in. The belt needs a robust carcass (4 plies on the main carriers) and a general purpose or abrasion resistant cover. Bagasse conveyors carry light, bulky fibre to the boilers and suit general purpose belts.
Molasses and sugar syrup make the belt sticky and attract wear; keep scrapers set and the return side clean.
Food contact: when to use FG belts
Wherever sugar, grain, salt, flour, spices or packed food touch the belt, a white food grade cover is the right choice. It releases cleanly, does not mark the product, and washes down easily. Food grade belts are built up to 630 kN/m with covers up to 5 mm.
Oil seeds, rice mills and grain
Oil seeds such as soybean, mustard and groundnut leave oil on the belt, which makes an ordinary cover swell and soften. Oil resistant (DIN-G) covers hold their shape. Rice mills and grain handling run light loads over long periods, where general purpose belts in 3 plies are economical.
Questions
What is a food grade conveyor belt?
A belt with white, hygienic covers made for food contact, with clean release and easy washdown, used for sugar, grain, salt, spices and packaged food.
Need the belt chosen for you?
Send your conveyor, our engineers select the belt
Length, lift, width, speed, capacity and the material. We reply with the rating, covers and grade, a datasheet and a quotation, usually the same working day.