Elevating Food Safety and Efficiency: The Special Hygienic Conveyor (SHC)

The food processing industry faces constant pressure to enhance efficiency, maintain stringent hygiene standards, and minimize environmental impact. Interroll, a global leader in material handling solutions, is addressing these challenges head-on with its Special Hygienic Conveyor (SHC). This innovative system is designed for packaged foods and E2 standard boxes, operating effectively in temperatures ranging from -5 to 40 degrees Celsius.

Dust-Free Conveyance: A Novel Approach to Food Handling

A key feature of the SHC is its dust-free (Zero Pressure accumulation, ZPA) conveyance, a first for the food sector. This technology ensures rapid, contactless product transport, optimizing material flow and simplifying cleaning processes.The stainless steel modular support platform is easily integrated and flexibly configurable, minimizing wear and maintenance.

Measurements show that a dust-free role conveyor with 24V/48V drives, our scooter driva, energy consumption-depending on the application-can reduce up to 90 percent compared to traditional 400 V drive concepts.

Dr. Stephan Kronholz, Vice President Hygienic Solutions at Interroll

Dr. Stephan Kronholz, Vice President Hygienic Solutions at Interroll, highlights the energy efficiency of the system. Separately powered conveyance zones are activated only when needed, resulting in considerably lower power consumption and a low-noise operation below 70 dB(A). This targeted energy use aligns with growing sustainability initiatives within the food industry, where companies are increasingly seeking ways to reduce their carbon footprint. For example, companies like Unilever have pledged to halve their environmental impact by 2030, making solutions like the SHC increasingly attractive.

Certified Clean Room Technology: Minimizing Contamination Risks

The SHC roller conveyor meets stringent hygiene standards and is certified for clean rooms according to ISO 4.It operates well below permissible particle limit values, minimizing the risk of contamination of sensitive goods through microplastic particles. This is crucial in an industry where consumer safety and product integrity are paramount.

Sustainability and Safety: Core Design Principles

Interroll has prioritized sustainability in the SHC’s design. The stainless steel structure is optimized for food applications,featuring a reduced hole image,no undercuts,and slanted,rounded guided tours for quick drainage of cleaning liquids. Seals prevent water from penetrating the rollers, streamlining hygiene screening and cleaning. These features contribute to reduced water consumption and plastic waste, aligning with the environmental goals of food producers. Moreover, integrated protective elements, such as finger protection and covers, ensure maximum occupational safety.

Seamless Integration and Digital Networking

Designed as a plug-and-play system, the SHC platform can be easily integrated into existing conveyance systems using a special transition module. Interroll’s multicontrol supports common industrial protocols (Profibus, Ethernet/IP, EtherCAT), enabling flexible and precise control of goods flow, even decentralized without the use of storage-programmable controls (SPS). The direct integration of sensors and drives into the fieldbus level facilitates networking in Industry 4.0 environments, enabling precise positioning of goods – a critical requirement for automated warehousing systems and robotics.

Virtual Planning and Optimization

The Interroll Layouter allows system integrators to virtually plan, simulate, and optimize complete conveyance systems. This streamlines project processing,improves communication with end customers,and ensures smooth installation and commissioning.

Global adoption and Industry Recognition

Interroll’s technology is already in use by leading companies worldwide, including Nestlé and Danish crown, and also system integrators like Marel and Krones. These companies rely on Interroll’s solutions to ensure efficient, energy-saving, and hygienic material flow, meeting the stringent requirements of regulatory bodies such as the FDA, EU, and EHEDG. complete SHC solutions are currently deployed in demanding food processing facilities across Europe, including Belgium, Denmark, France, and Spain.

IFFA 2025 Showcase: Experience the Future of Food Processing

Interroll will showcase the Special Hygienic Conveyor and other innovative solutions, such as hygienic drum motors, at IFFA 2025 in Frankfurt from May 3-8. IFFA is the world’s leading trade fair for innovations in meat and protein processing, providing an ideal platform to explore the latest technologies and industry trends.

With the Special Hygienic Conveyor,we bring the efficiency from high -performance package logistics into food processing for the first time. At IFFA 2025, we show how modern automation makes food production more enduring and sustainable.

Dr. Stephan Kronholz, Vice President Hygienic Solutions at Interroll