In the fast-paced and competitive sector of food manufacturing, producers are under pressure to increase efficiency, maintain hygiene, and ensure uninterrupted reliability. From thermoforming and vacuum packaging to marinating and product extraction, vacuum systems play a central role in maintaining product quality and process stability.
Selecting the right industrial vacuum pump and technology partner is a strategic decision that affects production reliability and total operating costs.
In this article, we explore how Becker’s full range of vacuum technologies, from oil-lubricated rotary vane pumps to oil-free claw pumps, supports every stage of food processing. Each technology offers distinct advantages: oil-lubricated systems deliver precise and stable fine vacuum, while claw pumps provide dry, contactless compression for hygienic, low-maintenance operation.
Explore BECKER's role in Food Packaging and Processing
Vacuum technology is essential to achieving consistency, hygiene, and safety in food packaging and processing applications. Becker’s extended range of claw vacuum pumps uses a non-contact, oil-less compression principle, meaning no oil, graphite, or other lubricants enter the compression chamber. This ensures 100% hygienic operation, ideal for industries with strict food safety regulations such as meat and proteins, poultry, dairy, and confectionery.
Common food industry applications include:
The oil-free operation of Becker claw pumps eliminates the risk of contamination while providing reliable vacuum levels, even under fluctuating loads. Their durable design withstands washdowns, disinfection, and thermal stress, making them ideal for modern food production lines.
Choosing the correct vacuum pump model for each process stage optimises performance, hygiene, and efficiency – safeguarding product quality and maintaining longer cycle times.
| Model | Ideal Applications | Key Benefits |
|
BCV 100 - 300 |
Thermoforming machines & Vacuum packaging systems. | Flat design options, compact footprint, stable vacuum for continuous operation. |
| BCV 150 | Beef production, Spinal cord extraction. | Precision vacuum control, easy maintenance. |
| BCV 300 | Maple syrup extraction, meat tumblers. | Constant vacuum pressure, smooth process flow. |
The BC PRO variants include additional corrosion protection, ensuring resistance to aggressive cleaning agents and frequent start-stop cycles typical in food production lines. Becker’s VARIAIR frequency inverter technology (VSD) further enhances energy efficiency, achieving up to 30% energy savings while maintaining consistent suction levels.
Explore BECKER's Claw Pump Range
In food processing, both oil-lubricated and dry vacuum technologies have critical roles to play. Each offers distinct advantages depending on the application requirements, hygiene standards, and desired vacuum range.
Oil-lubricated rotary vane pumps remain the preferred choice for applications requiring fine or high vacuum levels, where consistent performance and deeper vacuum pressures are essential. They provide:
In food processing environments, oil-lubricated pumps are commonly used in primary packaging, vacuum sealing machines, freeze-drying systems, and fine packaging processes, where a controlled vacuum depth is crucial to maintaining product integrity.
As touched upon earlier in our article, dry, contactless claw vacuum pumps operate entirely oil-free, making them ideal for rough vacuum applications and processes where hygiene and low maintenance are priorities. They deliver:
These pumps are widely used in thermoforming, marinating, meat processing, and vacuum conveying applications, where dependable rough vacuum levels and consistent suction are essential for product quality and operational efficiency.
Becker’s PRO-series (PRO & PRO-Clean) claw pumps offer enhanced corrosion protection, ensuring resistance to aggressive detergents, high-pressure washdowns, and frequent start-stop cycles typical in food production environments. This guarantees long-term reliability and consistent vacuum performance even in demanding hygiene conditions.
As a full-line vacuum technology partner, Becker supplies both oil-lubricated and dry claw vacuum pumps, enabling customers to achieve the right balance of performance, hygiene, and efficiency for every stage of production and application. Whether your process demands fine vacuum for precise packaging or rough vacuum for high-throughput forming and processing, Becker’s engineered solutions ensure reliable operation, reduced downtime, and optimal energy efficiency across the entire food manufacturing workflow.
Choosing the right vacuum pump technology is only part of the process. Becker provides expert consultation and service support, working closely with food manufacturers to ensure every industrial vacuum pump runs at its optimal operating point with maximum reliability and efficiency.
Our trusted support services include:
Learn more about BECKER service and our preventative maintenance vacuum solutions
In food processing, there is no universal solution; the right vacuum technology depends on the process, hygiene requirements, and desired vacuum level. Becker’s strength lies in providing both oil-lubricated and dry, contactless claw vacuum technologies, ensuring manufacturers can achieve optimal performance and reliability in every application.
Whether the priority is product purity, energy efficiency, or process stability, Becker delivers engineered vacuum systems backed by trusted local expertise, global support, and over a century of innovation.
Looking for specific data sheets or more information on our consultative approach in food manufacturing, production and packaging?
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