NTN food-gred bearings offer the trifecta of reliability, hygiene and maintenance-free operation in the most demanding manufacturing environments. The Sentinel series, as well as stainless and thermoplastic bearing units, are specifically designed for the needs of the food processing industry.
Read our article to learn how NTN’s food industry bearings support production line safety, compliance and long-term cost reduction.
Why is the food industry a special requirement?
The food industry environment is one of the biggest challenges for bearings:
- Multiple daily high-pressure washing
- Steam, alkaline and acidic chemicals
- Food contact
- Difficult to reach lubrication points
- HACCP, NSF-H1, ISO 22000 requirements
Conventional greased UC units can quickly break down in such an environment – soaking, contaminating or falling out of production.
NTN Sentinel Series – the maintenance-free alternative
-
100% stainless steel construction
Steel rings, bearing housings, mounts are made of SUS304 or SUS440C stainless steel – no coating, no flaking, no contamination.
-
LUBSOLID® and Solid Grease technology
The solid lubricant does not leak, does not wash out and does not need to be reapplied. The lubrication is NSF-H1 certified and FDA-compliant.
Two types:
- Spot Pack: for high speed
- Full Pack: in a closed, washed environment
-
Reinforced sealing
The nitrile LL seals and stainless steel dust shields (SCO/SCC) protect the bearing from water, disinfectants and contaminants.
NTN stainless steel units – when is the ideal choice?
The use of stainless steel bearing units is highly recommended for machines subject to continuous washing (e.g. bottling plants, dairies, poultry processing), difficult to access lubrication points, HACCP and audited production environments, and in steam and hot water disinfected production lines.
Advantages:
- completely maintenance-free
- audit-proof, certified
- no grease leakage, no contamination
Disadvantages:
- higher price
- requires precise shaft preparation
Product designations:
Success story: stainless steel self-aligning bearing units with LUBSOLID® inserts
POV: A large poultry plant processing 175,000 birds a day experienced problems with the poultry cage washing machines and cage unloading system due to the failure of SUCF206 roller bearings. The equipment was damaged by corrosion and cleaning agents. Losses: €231 per minute.
The customer wanted to increase the reliability of the bearings also during high pressure washing, thus increasing profitability.
NTN’s suggestion was to use stainless steel bearing units with additional housings and stainless steel inserts with LUBSOLID® lubrication: SUCF206FG1. This is the perfect solution against corrosion and exposure to high pressure washing.
Savings achieved:
- Reduction of bearings consumption: €74 200
- Reduced maintenance: €31 200
- Improvement of availability €15 080
- Total: €120 480/year
NTN thermoplastic units – if cleanability is the main concern
The PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) housed bearing units in the NTN range are also made with LUBSOLID® inserts, but the housing material is plastic, smooth, non-porous and antibacterial.
Suggested applications:
- highly chemical, chlorine-containing cleaning environment
- machines where the bearing is on a visible surface
- light load machinery units, e.g. packaging lines, sorting machines
Advantages:
- Very easy to clean
- Lightweight, chemical-resistant housing
- Same LUBSOLID® lubrication as stainless steel
Disadvantages:
- Cannot withstand high shocks or heat
- Lower clamping torque (max. 50 Nm)
Product designations:
Success story: thermoplastic self-aligning bearing units with LUBSOLID® inserts
POV: A French fries manufacturer replaced 432 MUCNFL205 bearings on a potato calibrator. The bearings were leaking water and affecting the application.
The customer was looking for a solution to optimise the sealing of the bearings and increase their lifetime.
NTN’s suggestion was to use thermoplastic bearing units and stainless steel inserts with LUBSOLID® lubrication: SUCNFL205FG1.
The number of bearings required was reduced from 432 to only 72, an 82% improvement.
Savings achieved:
- reduction of bearings consumption: €27 936
- reduced maintenance: €5 580
- availability improvement €1 277 100
- total: €1 310 616/year
Which NTN food industry bearing should be installed where?
| Viewpoint | Stainless-steel bearing unit(LUBSOLID®) | Thermoplastic bearing unit |
|---|---|---|
| High mechanical loads | ✅ | ❌ |
| Heat load / steam | ✅ | ❌ |
| Cleanability | ✅ | ✅ |
| Acidic/alkaline environment | ✅ | ✅ |
| Lightweight machine unit | ⚠️ | ✅ |
| Maintenance-free | ✅ | ✅ |
| For a price-sensitive project | ⚠️ higher price | ✅cheaper |
| Audit-proof compliance | ✅ | ✅ |
Decision-making aspects – what not to ignore
Certification
- NSF H1, FDA, ISO 14001 compliance
Audit risk reduction
Sustainability
- Less lubricant, less hazardous waste
- 100% recyclable parts
- Can be integrated into ESG and CSR strategies
TCO-based return
- Less intervention → less downtime
- Smaller spare parts stock → simplified procurement
- Longer life → reduced bearing wear
Portfolio cleaning
- UC size compatibility
- Fewer items – easier stock management
NTN bearings for the food industry are not just components, but investments in stable, audited and sustainable production.
Have a look at the catalogue >> HERE <<
If you have any questions, would like a custom quote or simply want to be sure about your next exchange, get in touch with our team!
