Sanitary Sealing Standards for Dairy Processing Equipment

Dairy processing equipment goes through frequent, aggressive clean-in-place cycles — hot caustic and acid washes multiple times a day — while still needing to maintain a hygienic, non-porous seal against milk and dairy product contact between cleans. Materials that degrade even slightly under this cycling become a bacterial harbourage risk.

Product-contact seals

Pure PTFE Gland Packing in food-grade white PTFE handles pump and valve shaft seals in direct milk contact, resisting repeated hot CIP cycling without degrading or contaminating product.

Flexible gaskets on process equipment

Silicone Rubber Sheet in food-grade platinum-cured formulation covers flexible gasketing on pasteurisers, tanks and general dairy processing equipment across the temperature range CIP cycling demands.

Machined components

PTFE Sheets machines into valve seats, seals and liners for direct dairy product contact where a rigid, non-porous surface is required.

Frequently asked questions

How often do dairy-plant seals need replacing compared to general industry? More frequently in most cases — the combination of hot CIP chemicals and constant cycling is more demanding than typical industrial duty, so a fixed replacement schedule is usually more reliable than waiting for visible wear.

Is translucent silicone required, or is opaque acceptable for dairy use? Translucent grades make visual inspection for residue or degradation easier, which many dairy operations prefer, but opaque food-grade silicone is equally compliant.

Tell us your CIP cycle temperature and frequency and we’ll confirm the right food-grade material and replacement interval.