For Farm Frites, with production sites in the Netherlands, Belgium, the Middle East and Australia, JEL has supplied 78 Snapper HT-SS luminaires to date in a special food-grade version: 316L stainless steel, IP69K and borosilicate glass. They are installed in freezing tunnels that run at -40 °C and are steam-cleaned at +70 °C, and in the production ovens and drying tunnels, where 200 to 500 lux is achieved at 35 W per luminaire. Where previously one in three luminaires failed every six months, not a single one has failed since.
Client
200 to 500 lux
in the oven
0.65 to 0.85
uniformity
35 W
per luminaire
78 Snapper HT-SS
luminaires
5-year warranty
on service life
Farm Frites was experiencing issues with LED lighting that repeatedly failed in the drying tunnels and production ovens. Due to the significant thermal stress on the luminaires and the intensive cleaning routine, the previously chosen luminaires proved unable to withstand this environment.
JEL was also able to offer a solution for the freezing tunnels, with a temperature range of -40 °C to +70 °C during the cleaning processes. This put the project right in the middle of our specialisms: High-temperature lighting and lighting for extreme corrosion.
The challenge lay in the combination: absorbing thermal stress, using a stainless steel housing with borosilicate glass, and simultaneously delivering sufficient light within the production machines under all conditions.
Lifespan was the most important factor. Lighting that repeatedly fails in a production line costs money not only for replacement but, more importantly, for downtime.
What IP69K means for cleaning at high pressure and temperature is explained under IP and IK ratings.
In the drying tunnels and production ovens, the previously installed LED lighting failed multiple times. Those luminaires were not designed for the combination of high temperatures and the intensive cleaning routine that is standard in the food industry. Each failure meant replacement, and replacement in a production line means downtime.
Instead of choosing a standard luminaire again, it was decided to make a version of our stainless steel Snapper HT tailored specifically to this environment: 316L stainless steel, borosilicate glass and IP69K.
Project card
Project Type
Custom-made heat-resistant and stainless steel lighting for the food industry
Location
The Netherlands, Belgium, the Middle East and Australia
Client
Farm Frites (potato products manufacturer)
Environment
Production ovens and drying tunnels; freezing tunnels at -40 °C, steam-cleaned at +70 °C
Current situation
Previously installed LED lighting failed multiple times due to thermal stress and cleaning.
Scope
Lighting design, custom luminaire engineering, installation design, and delivery
Result
200 to 500 lux in the oven, uniformity 0.65 to 0.85, 35 W per luminaire
Standards
EN 12464-1, IP69K protection rating, borosilicate glass
Written by Lucas de Graaf, Technical Director, JEL Products. Last updated on 27 October 2026.
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JEL designed a special version of the stainless steel Snapper HT for the food industry. The luminaire combines a stainless steel housing with borosilicate glass, has a smooth finish that fits within the producer's HACCP system and an IP69K protection rating, so it withstands both the thermal load of drying tunnels and ovens and high-pressure cleaning for years.
The lighting design has been verified against EN 12464-1. Thanks to the thermal design and choice of materials, the light output is maintained, even after repeated cleaning cycles from -40 °C to +70 °C. We apply the same design principles to Extreme corrosion.
Our approach to drying tunnels and production ovens in other industries is described on the page lighting for ovens, foundries and dryers.
Step 1
The environment
What is happening at the location determines the design: height, operating hours, environment, standards.
Step 2
The system
Light distribution, uniformity and glare are calculated before a luminaire is chosen.
Step 3
The product
Only after that follows the choice of luminaire, optics, and mounting that matches that calculation.
JEL provided the lighting design for the drying tunnels, production ovens, and cooling tunnels, as well as the engineering of a custom luminaire and the design of the installation. Subsequently, 78 Snapper HT-SS luminaires were delivered, in a version specifically developed for this food-processing environment.
A special version of the stainless steel Snapper HT was developed for Farm Frites. The housing is entirely stainless steel, the glass is borosilicate and the smooth finish fits within the producer's HACCP system.
Borosilicate glass is resistant to strong temperature changes and does not break from thermal shock. This is exactly what is needed when a luminaire is cleaned in an environment of +70 °C.
The cleaning routine in the food industry involves high pressure and high temperature. IP69K is the toughest protection rating available and is precisely designed for that cleaning.
The lighting design has been tested according to EN 12464-1. In the oven, 200 to 500 lux is achieved, with a uniformity between 0.65 and 0.85 across the different zones.
For the freeze tunnels, the luminaire had to operate at -40 °C and withstand +70 °C during cleaning processes. The thermal design is matched to that full range.
To date, 78 Snapper HT-SS luminaires have been delivered, with a 5-year warranty covering this service life under the thermal and cleaning stresses of this production environment.
The installation achieves 200 to 500 lux in the oven with a uniformity of 0.65 to 0.85 across the different zones, at a power consumption of only 35 W per luminaire.
More importantly, the luminaires withstand the thermal stress and the cleaning cycles that the previous lighting failed on. This solved the failure problem in the production lines, with the 5-year HT warranty under our warranty terms. More about our approach in heavy industry and extreme heat.
Before the switch, one in three luminaires in these zones failed every six months. Since the Snapper HT-SS was installed, not a single one has failed to date.
“In a food factory, lighting does not fail for one reason, but because of the change: from -40 °C in the freezing tunnel to +70 °C steam during cleaning, every single day. That is why it has borosilicate glass that can take that thermal shock, and a stainless steel housing that withstands high-pressure cleaning.”
Lucas de Graaf, Technical Director, JEL Products
Farm Frites is also the case study in the article on lighting for high and low temperature environments.
200 to 500 lux in the oven, uniformity 0.65 to 0.85, 35 W per luminaire
Used product
For this project, a special food-grade version of the stainless steel Snapper HT Developed: the Snapper HT-SS. A total of 78 units were delivered, featuring a stainless steel housing, borosilicate glass, and an IP69K protection rating that withstands high-pressure and high-temperature cleaning.
At only 35 W per luminaire, the installation delivers 200 to 500 lux in the oven, with a uniformity between 0.65 and 0.85 across the various areas. Under our warranty terms the 5-year HT warranty applies here.
The luminaires in the drying tunnels and production ovens had to withstand significant thermal stress and an intensive cleaning routine. The lighting previously chosen was not resistant to this and failed multiple times.
For this project, a special version of the stainless steel Snapper HT was made for the food industry, with a smooth stainless steel housing, borosilicate glass and IP69K protection, so the luminaire fits inside production machinery and withstands the cleaning processes.
The solution is designed for a temperature range of -40 °C to +70 °C, including cleaning processes in freezing tunnels, and for the thermal load of drying tunnels and production ovens.
The -40 °C applies in the freezing tunnels and the +70 °C during steam cleaning. In the production ovens and drying tunnels, the same luminaires operate in the heat of the process, within the HT range up to +120 °C.
200 to 500 lux, with uniformity between 0.65 and 0.85 across the different areas, at only 35 W per luminaire, conforming to EN 12464-1.
Under our warranty terms the 5-year HT warranty applies, also under the thermal and cleaning load of this production environment.
Yes, provided the glass has been chosen for it. Farm Frites uses the Snapper HT-SS with borosilicate glass: resistant to strong temperature changes and thermal shock, such as the transition from -40 °C to steam cleaning at +70 °C. How glass is registered within its own glass policy is up to the producer.
Yes. Thanks to the many customers and applications, the food-grade version has become a standard version, and it is available from stock. Use the form below to request a lighting calculation for your line.
Are you working on a lighting project for a production line, an oven, a drying tunnel, or another food-safe environment? Our engineering team is happy to brainstorm with you.
| Response | within 1 working day, by an engineer |
| Lighting calculation | free of charge, per zone |
| Trial luminaire | at your own site, on request |
| Warranty | 5 years full, 10 years on the housing with a maintenance contract |
Rather call directly: 033 785 9809
