Powder coating in automatic distribution systems

Powder coated dead plates reduces drag and protects product build-up

Issues with food build up on dead plates, chutes, and conveyors is quite a common issue in the UK and preventing this is something that many companies are looking at implementing. One company who suffers from this issue has recently discovered our powder coatings and earlier in the year we helped him with the solution. Here is their story.

The problem and the solution

The problem- product build up and increasing downtime for additional washing

At the beginning of 2025, we were visiting a customer for a general catch up and a sample caught their eye, our powder coating sample keyring. After a discussion, it was discovered that they were experiencing issues with product build up on their dead plates across their ADS ( Automatic distribution systems) when some food substances were being transported. This was causing downtime every 1-2 hours where the dead plates were needing to be washed down.

By the end of the visit, the sales engineer had come away with sample of the problematic dead plate and we had offered to coat it in our IC-05 powder coating material to see if we could reduce the drag and product build up.

ADS mat without coating with pins for surface testing.

The solution- IC-05 powder coating

The sample was coated and tested before being handed back to the customer for them to test. The coated dead plates were fitted during a distribution belt upgrade in the summer and has been running 24/5 ever since.

There is no longer any visible build-up on the surface and the customer no longer has to clean it outside the daily hygiene shift, which is saving them approx 10 mins ever 1-2 hours whenever sticky or chocolate goods are being transported.

Not only has it reduced the downtime for additional washing, the products transfer better and there has been less rejects at the BTU ( bar turn unit)

These dead plates are still washed using abrasive equipment and chemical solutions but do not seem to have damaged or even scratched the surface.

Blue coated plate with several threaded studs.

More information regarding our powder coating materials

IC-05 powder coating material

Lasts up to 4 times longer than IC-01 in linear short stroke
Food compatible according to FDA and EU10/2011
Eliminates the need for additional lubrication with incorporated solid lubricants
Increases the service life of your application
480 h Salt spray test according to DIN EN ISO 9227

Shop IC-05 material

Coating powder IC-05PF in front of a 1 kg package.

Other coating materials

Our iglidur coating powders ensure reliable coating powder for simple and even powder coating. The powder creates wear-resistant and sliding surfaces that are ideal for industrial applications – especially where dry-running coatings or high sliding properties are required. Discover our coating powders and create long-lasting surfaces that are precisely tailored to your requirements.

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iglidur coating powders with sample blocks shown in front.

Applications using powder coating

Reduced wear and reduced processing times for packaging machines

A manufacturer of packaging and processing machines has reduced frictional resistance, improved rigidity, shortened throughput times and increased hygiene standards on a series of machines by applying an iglidur® IC-05 tribo-coating to a sliding carriage.

Since the 60-100 micrometre thin lubricating coating is FDA approved, contact with food is also no problem in this application. The previous rollers made of uncoated metallic material carried the potential risk of contamination of the packaging materials despite regular cleaning of the machine.