The beverage industry often relies on lubricants to keep its machines running smoothly. With so many different types of operations going on in the beverage supply chain — from conveying systems to filler machines to can seaming and closing machines all in a washdown environment — gear oils, food grade seamer oils, high- and low-temperature greases, assembly pastes and more are all called into action to lubricate the system, says Toby Porter, food market manager of Londonderry, N.H.-based Klüber Lubrication.
“Lubricants in a beverage facility, similar to other markets, are used to prolong the life of machinery components,” Porter says. “When two interacting surfaces are not properly protected from excessive wear, the result can be unnecessary and sometimes unexpected maintenance costs.”