Bearing failure on a pellet press doesn't stay a maintenance issue; it becomes downtime, contamination risk, and exposure on your food-safety certifications. Klüber's NSF H1-certified greases, engineered with leading OEMs for the mechanical and thermal extremes of pelletising, are built to extend bearing life 2–4× and cut grease consumption by up to 50%.
Every hour a pellet press is down is lost production and a scramble to replan output. Every trace of lubricant that reaches the feed is a compliance and brand risk. Every bearing replaced ahead of schedule adds unplanned cost to a maintenance budget that's already stretched.
Pellet press and hammer mill bearings operate at the limits of lubrication science: high radial and axial loads, continuous shock loads from roller-to-die compression, steam conditioning at 70–120 °C, and constant exposure to dust, moisture, and fines. Standard greases aren't built for this. When they fail, the cost extends well beyond the bearing itself.
Unplanned Downtime
Grease failure accelerates wear and misalignment, triggering shutdowns that halt the entire production line.
Contamination and regulatory exposure
Lubricant leakage into feed risks recalls, loss of certification, and lasting damage to customer relationships. Operating without NSF H1-certified lubricants puts your ISO 21469, Halal, and Kosher certifications directly at risk.
Rising Maintenance Cost
Inadequate lubrication shortens relubrication intervals and bearing life, driving up total cost of ownership.
2–4× Longer bearing life with correct lubrication
Fewer replacements, less unplanned downtime, more predictable maintenance planning
20–50% Reduction in grease consumption
Lower consumable spend and less relubrication labour
NSF H1 Food-safety certified across our full range
Compliance protected without adding operational risk
Per Klüber's internal pellet press cost-benefit analysis, switching to Klüber's food-safe grease shows up to 26% lower total maintenance costs compared with a conventional competitor grease, driven primarily by reduced bearing-related maintenance.
Klüber has developed and refined these lubricants with the industry's leading OEMs, so each product is matched to the specific mechanical, thermal, and food-safety demands of your production line, reducing the guesswork and the risk of a generic grease.
Klüberfood NH1 94-402
For roller bearings under continuous pelletising pressure, with certified food safety built in.
Calcium complex · Synthetic oil
OEM-approved: Bühler · Andritz · Van Aarsen · Salmatec · Amandus Kahl
- NSF H1 + ISO 21469 certified: safe for incidental contact with animal feed
- High load capacity: suited to roller bearings under pelletising pressure
- Corrosion protection in steam-heavy conditioning stages
- Good pumpability for central lubrication systems
- Upper temperature capability ~160 °C, suitable for most pellet mill bearing zones
- Kosher and Halal certified
Klüberfood NH1 71-571
Built for 24/7 mills: fewer relubrication stops and lower energy draw from reduced friction.
Polyurea · Premium mineral oil
- Outstanding oxidation stability: extended relubrication intervals
- Wear and corrosion resistance for longer bearing life
- Strong adhesion under steam and fines contamination
- Engineered for central lubrication systems in pelletisers
- Lower friction profile, with measurable reduction in energy consumption
Stabutherm GH 461
For the hottest bearing zones near the die, where standard greases break down first.
Polyurea · Mineral oil · High-temp
OEM-approved: Van Aarsen · NAWROCKI · Amandus Kahl · Salmatec
- Temperature resistance up to ~180–200 °C
- Extreme pressure (EP) performance under compression shock loads
- Outstanding water resistance in wet, steam-heavy environments
- Strong adhesion under vibration; lubrication film integrity is maintained
- Good pumpability for central lubrication systems
Klüberplex BE 91-502
For heavy roller loads that demand maximum film strength and mechanical stability.
Calcium complex · Mineral oil
- Very high load capacity (~3,500 N weld load)
- High-temperature stability up to ~170 °C
- Corrosion protection in humid environments
- High mechanical stability under continuous shock loads
- Thick lubrication film from high base oil viscosity
These aren't in-house claims: Bühler, Andritz, Van Aarsen, Salmatec, Amandus Kahl, and NAWROCKI approve these greases for their equipment — validation built on decades of joint engineering with the OEMs whose machines you run.
At a leading global meat-processing and animal-feed group, Klüberfood NH1 71-571 was tested on large-scale pellet press operations without changing existing production conditions. The trial demonstrated stable lubrication performance and controlled bearing temperatures under high mechanical loads. Following the trial period, the customer approved the lubricant for ongoing use.
Key results: stable operation under high mechanical loads · controlled bearing temperatures · approved after on-site validation · meets food-grade lubrication requirements
At one of the world's largest orange juice processors, with pellet press operations in the USA and Brazil, Klüberfood NH1 71-571 was evaluated on CPM 7000 pellet presses. The trial extended the relubrication interval from 8 to 16 hours while maintaining stable temperatures and lubrication performance. The customer approved the lubricant for continued use following validation.
Key results: relubrication interval doubled, from 8 to 16 hours · fewer lubrication interventions required · stable operating temperatures maintained · approved after operational validation
Animal feed lubrication done right is a system, not a product. Klüber works alongside your maintenance and reliability engineers to make sure the right grease reaches the right point at the right interval — and that your team has the knowledge to sustain it.
Products developed with OEMs
Bühler, Andritz, Van Aarsen, Salmatec, Amandus Kahl, NAWROCKI - not adapted from general-industry greases
Full range is NSF H1 and ISO 21469 certified
No trade-off between compliance and performance
Product and service
Audit, schedule optimisation, compliance support, and training, not just a grease drum
Get the full picture in one place: what drives pellet press bearing failure, Klüber's NSF H1-certified grease range for animal feed and pet food pellet production, and the measurable impact of choosing the right lubricant — including 2–4× longer bearing life and 20–50% lower grease consumption. The guide also covers OEM approvals (Bühler, Andritz, Van Aarsen, Salmatec, Amandus Kahl, NAWROCKI) and Klüber's site audit, schedule optimisation, compliance support, and training services.
High radial and axial loads, continuous shock loads from roller-to-die compression, steam conditioning at 70–120 °C, and constant contamination from dust, moisture, and fines make these among the harshest lubrication environments in food processing.
NSF H1-certified lubricants are safe for incidental contact with food or feed. Operating without them puts ISO 21469, Halal, and Kosher certifications at risk.
Up to 2–4× longer bearing life with correct lubrication.
Yes, a 20–50% reduction in grease consumption is achievable with the right product and schedule.
Depending on the product: Bühler, Andritz, Van Aarsen, Salmatec, Amandus Kahl, and NAWROCKI.
Klüberfood NH1 94-402 is Kosher and Halal certified. Check individual product data for certification status across the range.
Yes. Field trials at a large-scale meat-processing and animal-feed operation confirmed stable lubrication and controlled bearing temperatures under high mechanical loads. At an orange juice processor running CPM 7000 pellet presses, a trial extended the relubrication interval from 8 to 16 hours. Both customers approved the lubricant for continued use after validation.
Per Klüber's cost-benefit analysis, up to 26% lower total maintenance costs compared with a conventional competitor grease, driven mainly by reduced bearing-related maintenance.
A site lubrication audit, relubrication schedule optimisation, food-safety compliance support, and personnel training.
Speak with our animal feed lubrication specialists. We'll assess your current setup and recommend the optimal solution for your pellet press, at no obligation.
