How to choose the most suitable industrial extraction solution for flour, sugar, grains, and spices: from dust collection at the discharge point to cleaning packaging lines. Delfin's experience as a solution provider for food dust management.
In short. In the food industry, dust from flour, sugars, starches, milk powder, cereals, and spices is dispersed primarily at three stages: unloading of raw materials, warehouse storage, and packaging. There is no single solution: the correct configuration depends on an analysis of the material, layout, distances, and any ATEX classification. From mobile collection systems to centralized CVS networks to DHV high vacuum systems, solutions must be sized for each production phase and the plant's hygiene requirements.
Why dust management is part of the production process
In the food industry, dust management isn't just a matter of keeping environments clean: it's an integral part of the production process. Proper industrial dust extraction protects workers, safeguards product quality, and ensures line continuity, reducing unscheduled downtime and the risk of cross-contamination between batches.
Requirements vary depending on the processing phase. During the unloading of raw materials, dust must be intercepted where it is generated. In storage areas, residues and buildup must be regularly removed. Near the packaging lines, dust, product fragments, and scraps must be managed without interfering with the production cycle.
For this reason, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for every facility. The correct configuration depends on an analysis of the material, department layout, distances to be covered, frequency of interventions, and any hygiene or ATEX requirements . This is where Delfin comes in: over thirty years of experience in industrial extraction, a presence in over 100 countries, and an in-house technical office that supports the customer from problem analysis to on-site testing.
How to control dust during raw material unloading?
Flours, sugars, starches, powdered milk, spices, coffee, and cereals tend to disperse during sack opening, big bag emptying, or transfer to hoppers and silos. If dust isn't intercepted near its source, it ends up settling on floors, structures, and equipment, increasing cleanup requirements and the amount of dispersed product.
Intercept dust at the source
The first effective intervention is localized collection : extracting directly in the discharge area, before the dust disperses throughout the department. When the points to be served are numerous or distributed over large areas, the configuration naturally evolves into a CVS centralized suction system that connects the various stations via fixed pipes and conveys the material to a single collection point.
For particularly demanding applications, such as the handling of large quantities of material or the management of powders over long distances, Delfin's technological answer is the DHV high vacuum systems , designed for the pneumatic transport of food powders from the collection point to the silo or destination hopper.
How to choose between CVS, DHV, and mobile solutions
Choosing the right solution depends on several elements:
- characteristics and behavior of the aspirated material;
- amount of dust to be collected;
- distance between the sampling point and the collection point;
- number of stations to be served simultaneously;
- frequency and duration of the suction cycle;
- possible ATEX classification of the work area.
How to keep raw material storage areas clean?
In raw materials warehouses, residues from sacks, handling, and loading operations accumulate on floors, shelves, and structures. Regular industrial cleaning prevents dust from recirculating and reduces the risk of cross-contamination between different batches.
Mobile for daily newspapers, centralized for department stores
For daily, localized operations, the choice falls on a mobile industrial vacuum cleaner , easy to move between workstations. In larger facilities, with multiple operators or numerous areas to clean, the most efficient solution is a centralized vacuum network: multiple workstations connected to a single collection point and the ability to vacuum in parallel without disrupting production activities.
Accessibility of elevated areas is another aspect to consider during the design phase. Beams, pipes, and overhead structures require dedicated accessories and telescopic lances to remove buildup without re-dispersing dust into the environment.
Caution. When the warehouse contains flour, sugar, cereals, or other combustible dust , the choice of extraction system must be based on the explosion risk assessment and the ATEX classification of the area. A complete range of ATEX Zone 20, 21, and 22 certified extractors is available for these contexts , as well as ACD models for combustible dust in non-classified areas.
How to manage dust and waste on packaging lines?
Product residue, fragments, dust, and film scraps are generated during packaging. If not removed promptly, these materials accumulate on the machines and surrounding areas, increasing cleaning downtime and reducing the overall efficiency of the line.
On-board suction: integrated into the line
On packaging lines, the most effective solutions are fixed, on-board extraction systems , integrated directly into the line or positioned near the point where waste is generated. The extraction system thus follows the production cycle, collecting material during the process, and keeping the work area clean without interruptions. Delfin is a long-standing partner of many OEM manufacturers for precisely these applications: joint design of the extraction head, positioning of the collection point, and filter sizing.
For periodic or distributed interventions on multiple lines, the alternative is a mobile aspirator or a CVS suction unit sized to serve multiple stations in parallel.
The nature of the waste makes a difference: fine food dust, product fragments, and film residues require different collection and filtration methods. During the design phase, the configuration is calibrated based on the material's particle size, abrasiveness, and physical characteristics.
How to choose the right extraction system for your food processing plant
The choice doesn't start from the power of the extractor, but from analyzing the entire process. An oversized solution has the same problems as an undersized one: higher energy consumption, more maintenance, and less overall efficiency. Before suggesting a configuration, the Delfin technical team collects a series of basic information:
- where the material is generated within the production department;
- what needs to be vacuumed (chemical nature, grain size, humidity);
- what distance must be covered between sampling and collection;
- how many points must work simultaneously;
- how the material should be collected or downloaded;
- which hygiene and safety requirements (ATEX, HACCP, GMP, FDA) must be met.
This analysis leads to the final configuration, which can include mobile aspirators, fixed on-board units, CVS systems , or high-vacuum DHV systems for pneumatic dust conveying. In-house engineering and a production facility in Italy allow us to create completely customized units wherever needed.
Want a consultation? Contact us or:
Come meet us in Parma - Cibus Tec 2026 Fair
From 27 to 30 October 2026, you can find us at Cibus Tec 2026 , at Fiere di Parma, with the latest Delfin solutions for dust management in the food industry: mobile aspirators, on-board units, CVS systems and pneumatic conveying systems.
Come talk to us about your process, bringing along key application information: materials, quantities, distances, production phase, and any ATEX classification. Our specialists will help you evaluate the most suitable configuration and, if you wish, arrange a dedicated technical consultation on dust management in your facility.
Where to find us. Hall 06 – Stand L 034 | Parma Fairgrounds, October 27–30, 2026
Frequently asked questions about vacuuming in the food industry
A mobile vacuum cleaner is suitable for localized operations or variable cleaning points. A central vacuum cleaner is recommended when multiple stations need to be served simultaneously, long distances need to be covered, or the collected material needs to be conveyed to a single point. In many food processing plants, the best solution is a hybrid: a fixed network serving the production lines and a few mobile units for extraordinary cleaning operations.
Yes, using a configuration appropriate for the material and area classification. The Delfin range includes ATEX-certified vacuum cleaners for combustible food dust in Zones 20, 21, and 22, as well as ACD models for combustible dust in non-classified areas. The solution is defined based on the customer's risk assessment and applicable requirements (ATEX 2014/34/EU, EN IEC 62784, UNI EN 17348).
Yes. Fixed units and on-board suction solutions can be connected directly to the points where dust, product fragments, or film waste are generated, collecting the material during the process and reducing machine downtime for cleaning. This is an area in which Delfin has been collaborating with international food packaging OEMs for years.
For correct sizing, it's essential to know the material, the quantity to be vacuumed, the distances to be covered, the number of sampling points, the frequency of use, the discharge method, and the production environment conditions (temperature, humidity, and any ATEX classification). Our in-house technical office supports the customer from data collection to on-site testing of the system.