The challenge: wear and high replacement costs. At Veolia Belux production sites in Ghent, Genk, and Erembodegem, enormous quantities of waste are sorted and compressed into bales for recycling every day. Think of plastics, metals, paper, beverage cartons, bumpers, agricultural film, and shredded paper.
During this process, acidic liquids leaked from the waste onto the conveyor chains. As a result, the existing lubricant film lost its effectiveness. This led to particularly severe issues in paper and cardboard processing: chains became clogged, rollers jammed and wore out quickly. The consequence? Every two years, chains, guides, and sprockets had to be replaced, and expensive and time-consuming operation.
The Question: How to Extend the Service Life of Transport Chains?
The technical department wanted to find a way to extend the service life of the chains. After all, the conveyor systems are the beating heart of a waste processing installation.
A thorough analysis revealed that using less lubricant but of higher quality and applying it more consistently and precisely could be the key to a sustainable solution.
The Solution: Targeted Lubrication with Maximum Efficiency
The old system, which sprayed oil in a mist, was replaced with a new lubrication system that detects each chain link and applies a drop of oil exactly where it’s needed — between the roller and the link.
This ensures 100% efficiency of the oil: no waste, no contamination, and an optimal lubricating effect.
We recommended using Royal Purple Escalator Chain Lubricant, an oil with a much stronger and longer-lasting lubricating film than the previously used product.
The Benefits at a Glance
Long-lasting protection: The inner parts of the chain are better protected against wear.
Dry, clean film: The oil forms a thin wax layer that repels dust and dirt.
Improved resistance to moisture and acids: Even in contact with water or acidic fluids, the lubricant film remains intact.
The result: clean chains, smoothly running rollers, and significantly reduced wear.
The Results: Double Lifespan and Major Savings
The combination of the new lubrication system and Royal Purple oil proved to be a real success. The service life of chains, guides, and sprockets has more than doubled. Thanks to this extended lifespan, Veolia saves tens of thousands of euros each year in replacement costs and downtime.
Moreover, the machines have become far more reliable — unexpected interventions and chain breaks are now a thing of the past. Following the success in Ghent, the solution has now been implemented at the Genk and Erembodegem sites as well. As a result, Veolia Belux now benefits at three locations from lower maintenance costs, improved reliability, and a more sustainable machinery fleet.
Do you recognize a similar challenge?
Is the quality of your lubricant being affected by dirt, moisture, or dust? Or do you notice that manual lubrication takes too much time or involves unnecessary risks? We’re happy to think along with you. With our many years of expertise, high-quality (bio) lubricants, and modern lubrication systems, we help you prevent downtime, extend the lifespan of your equipment, and improve safety. Feel free to contact us for personal advice.
