Chain lubrication with potential for savings – an example from the bakery sector

Smooth, clean, reliable

Klüber Lubrication supports numerous manufacturers in the food industry worldwide with high-performance speciality lubricants and customised services. Among these is and has been for a long time, one of the largest French producers of baked goods, who supplies customers throughout Europe. The 27 production lines at their site are mainly used to produce a variety of fresh breads. Recently, ciabatta bread has been added to the manufacturer’s portfolio. As a result, oven temperatures had to be increased from 240 to 260 degrees Celsius. At the same time the speed of the conveyor chain was increased from 1.5 metres per minute to 2 metres per minute. This is a good example of how a small change in the process parameters can have far-reaching consequences, as the changed production conditions pushed the previously used chain oil to its limits, and maintenance was significantly increased.

Therefore, the company started looking for a new speciality oil that would not only provide flawless performance under very hot temperatures, but at the same time also show high resistance to flour and dust, which can lead to deposits on the chain and consequently to high maintenance expenses. The system to be lubricated consists of an oven with a total length of 35 metres, with a transport chain consisting of roller chains, 100 mm per link, 700 links per side, which is lubricated by means of an automatic lubrication system.

After a detailed analysis of the tribological system and the production parameters by the experts of Klüber Lubrication, a very satisfactory and suitable solution was found with Klüberfood NH1 CH 2-260 Plus. The synthetic high-temperature chain oil has been especially designed for very hot environments in the food industry, as they may occur in particular in the mechanical mass production of baked products. Owing to special additives, the speciality oil offers excellent wear protection, reduced fume formation, and a low tendency to residue formation.

Klüberfood NH1 CH 2-260 Plus fulfills its task to complete satisfaction. Moreover, with the use of the new speciality oil, 200 maintenance hours per year were saved. With maintenance costs of 35 euros per hour, the annual savings therefore amount to 7,000 euros. The introduction of Klüberfood NH1 CH 2-260 Plus to properly lubricate the chains contributes also to extended chain life, which is quite relevant when considering the average cost of the chains in the region of 60,000 euros. The excellent performance of the oil in this demanding chain application has encouraged the manufacturer to meanwhile switch all 27 production lines to Klüberfood NH1 CH 2-260 Plus.


About Klüber Lubrication
Klüber Lubrication is one of the world's leading manufacturers of speciality lubricants, offering high-end tribological solutions to virtually all industries and markets worldwide. Most products are developed and made to specific customer requirements. During its more than 80 years of existence, Klüber Lubrication has provided high-quality lubricants, thorough consultation and extensive services, which has earned it an excellent reputation in the market. The company holds all common industrial certifications and operates a test bay hardly rivalled in the lubricants industry.

Klüber Lubrication, set up as a retail company for mineral oil products in Munich in 1929, is today part of Freudenberg Chemical Specialities SE & Co. KG, a Business Unit of the Freudenberg Group, Weinheim. Klüber Lubrication has approximately 2000 employees in more than 30 countries.


Freudenberg Chemical Specialities
Freudenberg Chemical Specialities Munich, was founded in 2004 as a new Business Group within the Freudenberg Group, Weinheim, Germany, a family-owned, diversified technology company with a history of more than 160 years. Freudenberg Chemical Specialities has a lean, market-oriented organization with Management Board and Corporate Functions. Its objective is to promote innovation potentials in its field of activities and to expand world-wide market leadership in special lubricants and release agents. The Business Group includes five largely independent divisions which are active in more than 50 countries: Klüber Lubrication, Chem-Trend, SurTec, Capol, and OKS.