In the food sector, safety and hygiene are essential factors. Every surface in contact with food must comply with strict regulatory standards to avoid contamination and guarantee the quality of the final product. An incorrect choice of coating for metal equipment can compromise the production process, increasing the risk of corrosion, wear and release of unwanted substances into food.
In addition to safety aspects, surface coatings directly affect the life of equipment and operational efficiency. A quality surface treatment reduces the deterioration of components, minimizing maintenance costs and ensuring greater production continuity.
The main problems of uncoated equipment
The use of metal equipment without an adequate coating can lead to several problems:
- Corrosion: constant exposure to acids, alkalis and humidity accelerates the deterioration of metal surfaces, with consequent risks of contamination and loss of efficiency.
- Adhesion of food residues: some materials tend to retain processing residues, making cleaning more difficult and increasing the risk of bacterial proliferation.
- Difficulty in sanitization: porous or irregular surfaces favor the accumulation of microorganisms, requiring more aggressive and expensive cleaning procedures.
For these reasons, the use of certified coatings for food equipment is essential to ensure regulatory compliance and optimal performance.
Essential characteristics of coatings for the food industry
To be suitable for contact with food, a coating must have specific characteristics:
- Safety and regulatory compliance: it must comply with regulations such as MOCA (materials and objects in contact with food) and NSF directives to ensure the absence of contamination.
- Resistance to corrosion: essential for equipment exposed to acidic substances, salts or frequent washing processes with aggressive detergents.
- Non-stick and easy-to-clean surface: a smooth coating reduces the accumulation of residues, promoting sanitization and improving production efficiency.
- Durability over time: it must maintain its characteristics even after repeated cycles of use and cleaning, without altering or losing adhesion.
- Absence of harmful substances: a coating intended for the food industry must not contain harmful elements such as lead, cadmium or toxic solvents.
AlfaTech solutions for the food sector
To meet the needs of companies in the sector, AlfaTech offers certified and high-performance coatings, capable of improving the durability and safety of metal equipment.
- T.E.A. PLUS®: this innovative tin and nickel-based coating complies with the highest food safety standards. In addition to ensuring excellent resistance to corrosion, it offers a smooth and non-stick surface, ideal for food processing and packaging plants. The absence of toxic substances makes it a safe and durable solution. T.E.A. PLUS® is ideal for components of professional coffee machines, vending machines, beer dispensers and carbonators, as well as ice machines. For example, it can be applied to boiler covers, flanges, caps, fittings and diffusers, ensuring resistance to corrosion and ease of cleaning.
- Chemical nickel plating: this surface treatment deposits a uniform layer of nickel-phosphorus on the metal surface, creating a protective barrier against corrosive agents and abrasions. It is particularly suitable for equipment exposed to frequent washing and for components that require a perfectly smooth and hygienic surface. In the food sector, it is used in sleeves, stems, valve bodies, beverage dispensers, dies, boilers, pipes, spouts and exchangers for coffee machines.
Both solutions offer concrete advantages for the food industry, improving the quality and efficiency of equipment, reducing the risk of contamination and extending the life of machinery.
Conclusion
Investing in certified coatings for the food sector is not just a technical choice, but a strategic decision for any company that wants to guarantee high standards of hygiene, safety and production efficiency. Corrosion, difficulty in cleaning and the adhesion of food residues are problems that can be solved by choosing advanced and certified surface treatments.
Thanks to solutions such as T.E.A. PLUS® and Chemical nickel plating, AlfaTech offers coatings that improve the quality of metal surfaces, ensuring durability and safety in full compliance with current regulations. Relying on an expert partner in the sector is essential to ensure that your equipment meets the required standards and offers the best performance over time.
