In the world of fluid control, choosing the right valve can significantly impact both performance and safety. Two of the most common categories—sanitary valves and industrial valves—may look similar at first glance, but they serve very different purposes. Understanding the differences between them is essential for selecting the best solution for your application.
This blog will guide you through the definitions of each valve type and highlight six key differences to help you make an informed choice.
Sanitary valves are specially designed for use in applications where hygiene and cleanliness are critical. These valves are commonly found in industries such as food and beverage, dairy, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. They are engineered to prevent contamination and are built to withstand frequent cleaning procedures like CIP (Clean-In-Place) and SIP (Sterilize-In-Place).
The design of sanitary valves emphasizes smooth surfaces, minimal crevices, and easy disassembly, ensuring that no residue or bacteria can accumulate.
Industrial valves, on the other hand, are used in a broad range of heavy-duty applications where cleanliness is not the top concern. These include oil and gas, chemical processing, power plants, water treatment, and manufacturing sectors.
Industrial valves are built to handle high pressure, extreme temperatures, and aggressive chemicals. Their design focuses more on durability and function rather than hygiene. The industrial valve materials used are chosen for strength, corrosion resistance, and thermal stability.
Let’s take a closer look at the core differences between sanitary and industrial valves:
3.1 Design Purpose
Sanitary Valves: Designed for cleanability and contamination prevention. They are optimized for environments where product purity is paramount.
Industrial Valves: Built for durability and reliability under harsh conditions. Hygiene is not a design priority.
3.2 Materials
Sanitary Valves: Typically made from polished stainless steel (often 316L) with food-grade elastomers. The focus is on corrosion resistance and non-reactivity with products.
Industrial Valves: Use a wider range of materials, including carbon steel, cast iron, brass, and specialty alloys depending on the media and pressure. Industrial valve materials are selected for mechanical performance rather than sanitation.
3.3 Industries Used
Sanitary Valves: Ideal for food processing, dairy, brewing, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals.
Industrial Valves: Used in oil and gas, petrochemical, HVAC, pulp and paper, and other heavy industries.
3.4 Cleaning Method
Sanitary Valves: Must support CIP and SIP processes to ensure sterile conditions without disassembly.
Industrial Valves: Cleaning is typically manual or chemical flushing. Not designed for frequent sterilization.
3.5 Interior Surface
Sanitary Valves: Interior surfaces are polished to a smooth, often mirror-like finish (typically Ra ≤ 0.8 μm) to prevent microbial growth and make cleaning easier.
Industrial Valves: Interior surfaces may be rough or unpolished, with less emphasis on smoothness.
3.6 Requirements
Sanitary Valves: Must comply with stringent regulations like FDA, 3-A Sanitary Standards, and EHEDG.
Industrial Valves: Must meet industry standards such as ANSI, API, or ASME, focusing on mechanical and pressure performance.
While sanitary valves and industrial valves may seem interchangeable at first, they are designed for very different purposes. Sanitary valves prioritize hygiene, cleanability, and regulatory compliance, making them essential for cleanroom and food-grade environments. Industrial valves, meanwhile, are rugged and versatile, suitable for handling harsh conditions and complex processes.
Choosing the right valve depends on your application’s requirements—whether it’s sterile conditions in a pharmaceutical line or high-pressure operations in a chemical plant. By understanding these six key differences, you can ensure better safety, performance, and compliance in your operations.
EFUN Valve is a professional manufacturer specializing in high-quality sanitary valves designed to meet the strict demands of hygienic industries such as food, beverage, and pharmaceuticals. With a focus on precision engineering, compliance, and reliability, EFUN Valve is your trusted partner for sanitary flow control solutions.
Need help selecting the right sanitary or industrial valve?
Contact us today to explore our full range of sanitary valves and find the perfect fit for your application.
