Food Processing

Industry Overview

Food processing equipment fails hygiene audits for one of two reasons: wrong material or wrong surface finish. A pump housing cast in 304 stainless instead of 316L will pit in chloride-containing CIP solutions within 18 months. A surface finish of Ra 3.2μm instead of Ra 0.8μm creates bacterial harboring sites that no CIP cycle can fully eliminate. PrimeCast Global designs food processing castings with these failure modes in mind. We use 316L stainless steel as the default material for all food contact surfaces, with surface finish controlled to Ra ≤0.8μm as standard. Electropolishing is available for implant-grade surface requirements. Our engineering review process includes hygienic design evaluation: we check for dead zones, crevices, and drainage paths before production begins. Material compliance documentation for FDA 21 CFR and EU 1935/2004 is provided with every shipment.

Common Industry Challenges

• →304 SS susceptible to pitting in chloride-containing CIP solutions — 316L required for food contact
• →Surface finish Ra ≤0.8μm required to prevent bacterial harboring in EHEDG-compliant designs
• →Dead zones and crevices in casting geometry create CIP-inaccessible bacterial growth sites
• →FDA 21 CFR and EU 1935/2004 material compliance documentation required for every shipment
• →EHEDG and 3-A Sanitary Standards geometric requirements for hygienic design

Our Solutions

• 316L stainless steel as standard material for all food contact surfaces — CT4–CT6 tolerance
• Surface finish Ra ≤0.8μm standard; electropolishing available for critical surfaces
• Hygienic design review: dead zone, crevice, and drainage path evaluation before production
• FDA 21 CFR and EU 1935/2004 material compliance documentation with every shipment
• Passivation and electropolishing surface treatment options for EHEDG compliance

Recommended Casting Processes

Typical Parts We Produce