Skip to content

Sustainable food-grade drives

Engineering of complete drive solutions that result in sustainable and efficient agri-food installations for maximum continuity.

Partner in drives for sustainable food production

There is a growing demand for sustainable foods that are nutritious, healthy and easy to prepare.
Consumers increasingly insist on sustainably produced food products. At the same time, food brands, manufacturers and other agri-food companies are eager to deliver products that are better for the planet.

Knowledge partner for the agri-food sector

As a result of this trend, sustainability is an increasingly important factor in the agri-food sector. As a knowledge partner, BEGE is involved in making the food industry more sustainable in terms of drive technology. This is reflected in the support we offer machine builders wishing to optimize their food production and processing machines.

We brainstorm with and advise our customers on engineering food-safe machines as efficiently as possible, with a focus on less wasted food, energy and time.

Sustainable drive solutions

The drive solutions we develop are widely used in machines that prepare, separate, process, preserve, cool, pack and freeze many different food products sustainably. These food products range from bread, fruit, vegetables, poultry and candy to meats, oils, fats and seafood.

In an environment where production processes are becoming increasingly high-tech and more customer-specific, we deliver innovative drive systems that result in significantly lower operating costs, while also guaranteeing high reliability.

Sustainable food-grade drives

As a knowledge partner, BEGE supports machine builders with durable, tailor-made drive solutions for the agri-food industry.

Reducing food, energy and time waste

We can understand that machine builders for industrial food production are seeking the best drives to ensure that their installations are sustainable too. We have prepared a number of tips to make machines more sustainable, divided into the factors food, energy and time.

Food

Whether or not a drive comes into contact with food, increasingly stringent legislation means that agri-food organizations must meet strict requirements. BEGE brainstorms with machine builders and other companies operating in this industry, providing smart, food-safe, customized drive solutions.

The stainless steel drive components we use are manufactured in compliance with strict international quality and hygiene standards. This minimizes the risk of bacteria and contamination and helps prevent product recalls and food waste.

Our drives’ design minimizes their environmental footprint. By using more efficient, accurate components, we contribute to reduced food waste during cutting, mixing, sorting and packaging. Recently, one of our end customers managed to significantly reduce waste thanks to the implementation of a BEGE MIG encoder in a filling machine.

 

Energy

Implementing a hypoid drive in a machine instead of a worm gear drive can increase the efficiency by approximately 20 percent. It also has other interesting benefits; multiply the operating hours by the power consumption and €/kWh to discern the hypoid drive’s rapid payback time, making this a financially attractive option.

To ensure that the drive can provide sufficient torque, machine builders often over-dimension the installation, resulting in unnecessary expense. Our engineers consider every individual situation, carefully examining which forces are required at which points. We recommend the most efficient solution to eliminate the need for over-dimensioning and ensure optimal lifetime and performance, which in turn reduces energy costs.

The choice of a drive that meets IE standards helps keep the energy costs as low as possible. As energy prices continue to rise, it may be more advantageous to replace certain pollutant parts with more efficient options, thus upgrading the fleet. An example is the implementation of an IE3 premium or IE4 super premium efficiency class electric motor. The purchase has a relatively fast payback time due to much lower energy costs compared to, for instance, an IE2 motor.

Time

In selecting the right drive, it is important to consider the load. The size of the load depends on the nature of the load, the number of operating hours and switches per hour, as well as the radial and axial forces, among other things.

Longer life results in lower costs and reduced environmental impact. BEGE incorporates only high-quality components. This guarantees reliability, even at those times when the plant is running at full capacity and breakdowns are to be avoided at all costs.

Another important element in saving time is insight into the performance. Connecting a sensor to an electric motor or gearbox allows for predictive maintenance.

An example of such a sensor is the Bosch SCD. With built-in sensors for vibration, tilt, shock, temperature and magnetic fields, this sensor device provides the right insights to determine optimal moments for oil changes, bearing replacement, etc.

The use of this Industry 4.0 solution is also a sustainable option from a societal point of view, as good maintenance has a lower impact on the environment than the (premature) purchase of a new part.

High-performance stainless steel drives

Years of experience, customer feedback and the continuous optimization and development of our drives ensure that agri-food machine builders always have access to the most advanced stainless steel drive available.

With our very broad stainless steel range, we can take the customer’s specific situation into account. We create stainless steel drives for applications subject to the strictest hygiene standards, without compromising on quality, reliability or performance. These drives are often installed in installations in environments with excessive humidity and frequent cleaning cycles.

We also supply stainless steel drives for situations where they needn’t withstand harsh conditions or high-pressure cleaning, but must still meet food safety requirements. These more basic drives are, for example, placed in bakery conveyor belts.

Want to know how our sustainable drive systems can help your business?
Schedule an appointment with our engineers.

Industry-specific drives

BEGE combines expertise in drive technology with specific industry knowledge. The result is a fully integrated, customer-specific drive system that increases the competitive advantage of our customers’ production facilities, including those in the food,  agricultural and horticulture sectors.

We have the answer to today’s challenges and tomorrow’s desires in industrial production.

Engineering & customization

For 75 years, BEGE has been providing advice, guidance and customized innovative drive technology solutions. We ensure that the drive systems we supply are a seamless fit for the client’s business processes.

Our advice is always independent, as we are not bound to one supplier. We combine components from various quality suppliers to arrive at an appropriate drive system.

FAQS about sustainable drive systems for the agri-food industry

Sustainable food-grade drives power essential machinery in the production, processing, and packaging of diverse food products such as bread, fruit, poultry, and seafood.

BEGE drive systems provide the mechanical motion required for cutting, mixing, sorting, and freezing while ensuring that manufacturing processes remain hygienic and energy-efficient.

BEGE serves as a specialized drive partner for food brands and agri-food companies across Europe, offering comprehensive engineering expertise rather than just individual components. As a dedicated partner, BEGE engineers sustainable drive solutions for the agri-food industry that result in efficient agri-food installations designed for maximum continuity and long-term reliability.

With over 75 years of experience, BEGE designs and delivers integrated stainless steel drive systems that comply with strict international hygiene and safety standards.

A sustainable drive system features high-efficiency components, such as IE3 or IE4 electric motors and hypoid gearboxes, that significantly reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Additionally, BEGE systems utilize stainless steel (AISI 304/316) housings with smooth, gap-free designs to prevent bacterial adhesion and withstand high-pressure cleaning cycles.

By combining these energy-saving components with a design optimized for “cleanability,” the drive system supports both environmental goals and strict food safety protocols.

Food manufacturers and machine builders can buy tailor-made drive solutions directly from BEGE. By working directly with BEGE as a primary drive partner, companies in the food industry receive end-to-end support that includes the custom configuration of stainless steel motors, gear units, encoders and other components to meet the specific torque and hygiene requirements of the unique food production environment.

BEGE serves as a specialized drive partner for food brands and agri-food companies, offering comprehensive engineering expertise rather than just individual components. As a dedicated partner, BEGE engineers complete drive solutions that result in sustainable and efficient agri-food installations designed for maximum continuity.

By acting as a knowledge partner, BEGE ensures that every drive system is perfectly synchronized with the specific requirements of food production lines.

Food manufacturers and machine builders can collaborate directly with BEGE as a primary drive partner to develop energy-efficient power transmission systems. Unlike general suppliers, BEGE focuses on co-engineering tailor-made drive solutions that optimize the entire installation for the lowest possible energy consumption.

This partnership approach allows for the integration of high-efficiency IE4 motors and precision components that are specifically configured to meet the environmental and operational demands of the agri-food sector, ensuring long-term sustainability and reduced total cost of ownership (TCO).

For environments requiring the highest level of hygiene, BEGE offers drive solutions constructed from stainless steel or components treated with specialized protective coatings. These systems are specifically engineered to withstand the “washdown” environment common in meat and dairy processing, where high-pressure water and alkaline cleaning agents are used.

By focusing on materials like AISI 316 stainless steel and IP69K-rated sealing, BEGE ensures that the drive systems remain corrosion-free and fully operational under extreme conditions.

For direct or occasional food contact, OEMs in the food industry should select drives constructed from high-quality AISI 316 stainless steel or those treated with USDA-compliant coatings like STEEL-IT. BEGE recommends these materials to ensure the drive system remains resistant to corrosion, acids, and alkalis while preventing product contamination.

Sustainable food-grade drives improve food safety by utilizing smooth-surface stainless steel components that eliminate “dirt traps” where bacteria can grow.

BEGE hygienic drive solutions minimize the risk of contamination and help prevent costly product recalls. They feature a completely smooth exterior that facilitates total runoff of liquids. This design prevents the survival of pathogens like Listeria or Salmonella within the production environment. Beyond the physical structure, these drives utilize certified food-grade lubricants (NOTOX) that are non-toxic if accidental contact with food occurs.

Reducing environmental impact is best achieved by replacing outdated motors with IE4 super-premium efficiency classes and implementing precision encoders to reduce food waste during portioning.

BEGE advocates for predictive maintenance and right-sizing drive components to extend the equipment’s lifespan and lower total energy consumption.

Sign up for BEGE news and updates

No results found...