At first glance, it may seem like a small detail, just a component connecting one machine to another, nothing more.

In reality, the conveyor is the heart of the line: efficiency, hygiene, safety, and ultimately the quality of the product reaching the consumer all depend on it.

Yet too often, its selection is underestimated, as if one belt were as good as another. But that’s not the case.

Each application is different, every product has its own characteristics, and each plant has its own criticalities.

Treating the conveyor as a “standard” element means opening the door to unexpected downtimes, contamination, waste, safety issues, and hidden costs that grow over time.

A significant share of line stops doesn’t stem from mechanical failures but from synchronization and accumulation problems, a clear sign that conveyors impact production continuity much more than people think.

When the product is “naked” fresh or dry is not enough

Talking about “naked” products means addressing very different worlds. A dry croissant is not the same as a honey-covered bar, just as a filled cake slice cannot be compared to a cracker.

In the fresh sector, hygiene is paramount. Belts must be washable, cavity-free and easy to sanitize. Belts with internal fabric layers are not suitable: if the fabric emerges, it becomes impossible to clean properly.

That’s why monolithic belts are used, more rigid and less flexible, but capable of ensuring the highest hygienic standards.

In the dry sector, the range is broader: brittle products such as biscuits or crackers fit well on modular chain conveyors, which allow easy removal of crumbs.

But when coatings, creams, or jams come into play, PU belts are required, surfaces that can be scraped clean without damaging the belt.

Each product type therefore requires a targeted evaluation.

Packaged products, but where in the line?

Even a packaged product raises specific questions: is it located in a white zone or a grey zone? Does it require washdown capability or not?

Are high speeds, tight transfers, or low noise levels needed?

In general:

• The tabletop chain conveyor is ideal for heavy loads, high speeds, and complex layouts.
• The modular chain conveyor offers greater flexibility and smaller wrap diameters, but it’s less robust, has wider curve radii, and requires more maintenance attention.

If we’re in a washdown area, the structure matters too: at least the legs must be in stainless steel, if not the entire frame.

The choice, therefore, concerns not only the belt, but the whole operational context.

The invisible factors that make the difference

Beyond product features and packaging type, there are less visible but decisive variables:

Belt position

On the floor or overhead?

Overhead systems prioritize robustness, since maintenance interventions are more complex.

On-floor conveyors, instead, prioritize operator safety, requiring reduced-pitch chains to minimize risk.

Maintenance

How often will the belt need to be serviced? High frequency calls for easily removable and sanitizable designs.

Format variety

If the line handles multiple product types, flexible and adaptable systems are essential.

Finally, one basic principle must not be forgotten: machines never work in perfect synchronization. That’s why accumulation systems (buffers) are necessary to guarantee continuity and prevent line stops.

At M.H. Material Handling, we know these complexities well. For nearly forty years, we have been designing tailor-made conveyors for every type of line, product, and requirement – from fresh to packaged good.

Our solutions always start from listening: we don’t begin with a standard catalog, but with a real customer problem.

Whether it’s about handling a delicate product, freeing up floor space for operators, or optimizing flows in limited spaces, every project is co-designed together with the customer.

From the washdown SaniFlex line to the BAT system with USC chain, up to the ModulFlex conveyors with modular chains ,each technological choice follows a clear logic: transforming daily challenges into efficient, safe, and long-lasting solutions.

For us, automation doesn’t mean selling a machine, it means designing together the right answer to a real need.

Want to understand which solution best fits your line?

Contact us for a personalized consultation and discover how to make your system smoother, safer, and more efficient.

In the food industry, hygiene isn’t just good practice—it’s an essential requirement for ensuring safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.

But is designing machines that are “easy to clean” really enough?

The answer is no.

Preventing contamination and protecting the end consumer requires a much more advanced, structured, and systematic approach.

That’s why today we’re talking about Hygienic Design: a set of construction criteria, design choices, and specific materials developed to eliminate risk areas, simplify sanitation, and guarantee the highest standards in food safety.

Hygienic Design in the Spotlight: Why It’s Transforming Food Production

In recent years, tighter regulations and a growing focus on food safety have brought Hygienic Design to center stage.

Food manufacturers are dealing with increasingly automated processes—and maintaining high hygiene standards throughout the entire line, including the most complex phases like internal transport and handling, is now a top priority.

Key challenges include:

• Preventing cross-contamination, both microbiological and chemical.
• Ensuring fast and effective cleaning of every product-contact surface.
• Reducing water and detergent consumption to meet both sustainability goals and cost control.
• Complying with EHEDG (European Hygienic Engineering and Design Group) guidelines, now a benchmark across the European industry.

Hygienic Design Is More Than Just Stainless Steel

Many think Hygienic Design simply means using stainless steel—but that’s only part of the story.

A proper approach starts with material selection but extends to surface geometry, accessibility for cleaning, the absence of gaps and stagnation areas, and tool-free disassembly of washable components.

Among the most common materials, AISI 304 stainless steel with bead-blasted or 2B finishes is standard for frames and load-bearing structures.

But plastic materials also play a key role. For instance, M.H.’s Saniflex system uses polypropylene chains with polyketone pins—highly resistant to the chemical agents used during sanitation.

Saniflex: Designing Hygiene with No Compromise

M.H. Material Handling developed the Saniflex system specifically to meet the toughest requirements of the food industry, particularly in dairy production.

In these environments—where processing fresh and packaged cheese demands absolute cleanliness—standard solutions simply aren’t enough.

Saniflex stands out thanks to:

• Fully open frame design that prevents build-up and supports efficient drainage.
• Tool-free removable components for fast and easy daily or deep cleaning.
• Chains resistant to aggressive detergents but fully compliant with food-grade regulations.
• Reduction in water and detergent use compared to traditional systems.

The result?

A solution that enhances productivity, guarantees hygienic safety, and supports environmental sustainability targets.

Invisible Contamination: The “Forever Chemicals” Risk

Hygienic Design isn’t just about bacteria and mold.

Today, manufacturers must also consider chemical contamination from persistent substances like PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), often called “forever chemicals.” These may come from the environment, industrial coatings, or even the detergents used on production lines.

Designing equipment that’s easy to clean also means reducing surface exposure to these chemicals.

With Saniflex, manufacturers can:

• Reduce washing cycles.
• Use gentler, less aggressive detergents.
• Minimize the risk of transferring harmful substances onto the product.

When Hygienic Design Becomes a Competitive Advantage

Hygienic Design is a strategic investment that brings measurable benefits:

• shorter downtimes,
• longer equipment lifespan,
• lower cleaning costs,
• stronger food safety,
• regulatory compliance.

At M.H. Material Handling, these principles are a cornerstone of our engineering.

With solutions like Saniflex, we combine technological innovation, operational efficiency, and full adherence to the strictest international guidelines.

Wondering if your production line meets today’s hygiene standards?

Book a free consultation with our experts via our MH Scan Solution service: we’ll assess your system’s critical points and show you how to optimize safety, efficiency, and sustainability.