Company:A leading processor and cannery of pineapple
Application:Grading of fresh pineapple slices
Challenges:
- The low pH of the juice degrades plastic belts.
- PVC/PU-coated fabric ply belts absorb both juice and water from cleaning, accelerating the damage.
- Delaminated PU fragments and reinforcement filaments break away and mix in with the final product.
- Fabric ply belts have a short lifespan causing high maintenance and downtime.
Solutions:
- Volta Flat Food Grade Belts
- Smooth bottom surface allowing for collection of juice and enabling fast washdown.
- Flat belts used for grading slices.
- Homogenous, acid-resistant, non-absorbent material.
- Endless welded joint.
Results:
- Reduced maintenance and downtime. No belt failure or unplanned downtime.
- Volta homogeneous belts outlast PVC ply both mechanically and hygienically. In terms of lifespan; there is no damage to the joint, no danger of delamination from juice and cleaning fluids entering the belt, and less chemical degradation from cleaning cycles.
- Welding time is reduced to around 30 minutes with Volta's dedicated welding tooling.
- Improved food safety. No risk of contamination from belt material.
- Longer product shelf life.
Conclusions:
Volta’s chemical-resistant belt range includes materials with an enhanced resistance to the corrosive effects of acidic juices, ensuring durability and longevity even if subject to constant exposure. The belts’ non-absorbent characteristics add to the hygienic aspect.
Volta offers improved hygiene and product safety while significantly reducing maintenance, downtime, and operating costs.
