Hygiene is Mandatory. Uptime is Essential.

Is your enclosure system doing enough?

As hygiene standards rise and audits become more exacting, Australia’s food and beverage producers are under growing pressure to modernise their infrastructure. One key area under scrutiny: the enclosure.

While standard stainless-steel cabinets might appear suitable, they often fall short in hygiene-critical zones where high-pressure washdowns, harsh chemicals, and temperature extremes are the norm. Choosing the right enclosure isn’t just about compliance; it’s about protecting your operation from risk.

What Makes a Food-Grade Enclosure?

Rittal’s Hygienic Design (HD) enclosures are purpose-built for food and beverage applications, aligning with international regulations such as FSMA, ISO, and EU 852/2004. Unlike standard enclosures, every design detail is optimised for cleanability, corrosion resistance, and reliability.

Key features include:

• FDA-compliant blue silicone gaskets: External, seamless, and easy to inspect or replace.
• 30° sloped roofs: Prevent pooling and reduce bacterial risk during clean-downs.
  Smooth, polished stainless steel (304-grade): Withstands aggressive cleaning agents without degradation.
• IP66/IP69K protection: Built to endure high-pressure, high-temperature washdowns.
• Concealed hinges and hex fasteners: Eliminate cavities and surfaces where contaminants can hide.

Food-grade enclosures are not just about compliance; they improve operational efficiency. Faster clean-downs, reduced water and chemical use, and longer product lifespans contribute directly to cost savings and productivity.

Proven in the Field: IAL’s Move to HD as Standard

Integrated Automation Limited (IAL), a leading NZ automation provider, faced these pressures firsthand while designing an accumulation conveyor system for a local food production facility. The project required an enclosure that could withstand high-pressure cleaning, temperature variability, and chemical exposure, all while housing sensitive automation components.

IAL selected Rittal’s HD enclosures after assessing both hygiene and performance benefits.

“The HD series has a superior design, high-quality stainless steel, and hygienic blue seals that support the standard we aim for in every automation system.”
— Donovan Ryan, Managing Director, IAL

Since the project, IAL has adopted Rittal HD enclosures as the standard across its food and beverage solutions, a testament to the long-term operational value of investing in food-grade infrastructure.

Smarter Maintenance with ePOCKET

Food-grade performance doesn’t stop at clean surfaces. Rittal’s enclosures also integrate digital tools like ePOCKET, a QR-code-enabled wiring plan system that replaces bulky manuals with cloud-based schematics and real-time version control. 

Prepare Now for Future Demands

The line between compliance and risk will only grow sharper as food safety standards evolve. Rittal’s Hygienic Design enclosures, combined with Blue e+ cooling and ePOCKET, deliver a robust, future-ready solution that goes beyond cleanliness, supporting uptime, energy efficiency, and digital transformation.