At DeltaChem International BV, protecting the final product is key. The coated fertilizer granules produced at the company's plant in Born are high-tech feats of agricultural engineering. The special coating ensures that the active ingredients do not wash into the soil during the first rainfall, but are released in controlled doses instead. Depending on the customer's specific blend, the granule's release duration is extended from two or three months to as much as twelve to eighteen months.
However, such a valuable coating is vulnerable. If a granule is damaged during packaging, it loses its effectiveness. When Deltachem International BV started producing these specialized blends in 2013, the company looked for a partner who understood that bulk packaging requires precision. They found that partner in Bates, who supplied and installed a big bag filling machine at the time.
Thirteen years later, technical coordinator Guido Maes looks back on that decision with a broad smile. The machine still runs day in, day out, doing exactly what it was built to do.
Anyone walking onto the factory floor at DeltaChem International BV won't see a shiny machine covered in unnecessary displays or complex software detours. And that is a deliberate choice. Guido Maes highly praises the filler’s straightforward design. Everything is engineered to be functional. No frills, no fuss. This keeps maintenance simple and reliability exceptionally high. The machine rarely malfunctions.
Yet times and products change. Last year, DeltaChem International BV ran into a challenge with the dosing valve. At the time, this slide valve operated pneumatically. Due to the force of the pneumatic cylinder, fertilizer granules occasionally got crushed and damaged during closing. This led to product loss and a risk of contamination.
DeltaChem International BV raised the issue with Roger Rinkens, their primary contact at Bates. Roger didn't focus on the problem, but immediately proposed a practical solution: replace the pneumatic slide valve with a butterfly valve.
The great advantage of working with Bates is their direct, hands-on approach. Before the new butterfly valve was installed at DeltaChem International BV, it was extensively tested and fine-tuned at Bates until operation was flawless. Only when every detail was perfected was the system implemented at the plant in Born. The results were clear right away: the number of damaged granules dropped dramatically, and the process was 100% reliable once again.
This focus on quality is evident throughout the rest of the filling process. The big bags, ranging in weight from 500 to 1,250 kilograms, are filled with precision down to the gram. Whether handling single-loop bags or traditional four-loop options, the machine processes them effortlessly. Since the granules must not get too warm and moisture is the ultimate enemy (as it causes caking), thorough testing was carried out with various big bag types to guarantee an optimal logistical flow.
When asked what truly makes the partnership with Bates unique, Guido Maes doesn't have to think twice. It’s the sheer know-how and dedication of their team. In Roger Rinkens, DeltaChem International BV has access to a wealth of expertise. He is approachable, easy to work with and always delivers an appropriate solution. And should an urgent situation arise, Roger or technician André are ready to assist immediately. They know the filling machine inside out; the equipment holds no secrets from them. That fast response time and personal commitment provide DeltaChem International BV with the operational certainty it needs.
Soon, we will be visiting DeltaChem International BV with a camera crew to capture this dependable powerhouse in action. Because a machine that continues to perform so efficiently and reliably after thirteen years deserves to be showcased.
Curious how Bates can make, and keep, your filling process more efficient? Contact us today. Roger and his team will be glad to assist you.
29-06-2026
And more importantly: how to avoid them? It sounds like the ideal solution, and it should be: a turnkey project for a new filling installation. The supplier handles everything, from the initial design to the first filled bag. However, in practice, this process doesn't always go as smoothly as expected.
At Bates, we know the pitfalls. More importantly, through years of experience in turnkey projects, we know how to avoid them, alongside our customers. In this article, we explain how we tackle this at Bates.
28-04-2026
When a company invests in new machinery, one key question usually rises to the top: How quickly will we recoup our investment? For manufacturers working extensively with packaged goods, the filling machine is a critical component of the production line. After all, a reliable filling machine can make the difference between production issues and a profitable operation.
At Bates, we understand this better than anyone. With more than 110 years of experience, we design and build filling machines that combine speed, reliability, and durability. The result is a smoother production process and a clear boost in ROI.
10-02-2026
When a company invests in new machinery, one key question usually rises to the top: How quickly will we recoup our investment? For manufacturers working extensively with packaged goods, the filling machine is a critical component of the production line. After all, a reliable filling machine can make the difference between production issues and a profitable operation.
At Bates, we understand this better than anyone. With more than 110 years of experience, we design and build filling machines that combine speed, reliability, and durability. The result is a smoother production process and a clear boost in ROI.
