Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I choose the right injection needle for my injector?

Choose the needle by three criteria: the injector brand and model, the product you process, and the brine you use. We group our needles by machine brand, for example FOM needles suitable for Fomaco FGM injectors or SCH needles suitable for Schroder IMAX injectors, each with its own product codes. Delicate poultry, dense beef and thin fish fillets each call for a different needle. Perforated needles suit liquid brines, while open-ended needles handle thicker marinades. If in doubt, send us your machine model and product type.

2. What needle diameters do you offer?

Our needles are available with outer diameters from 1.6 mm up to 6 mm. The most common diameters are 1.6, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5 and 5.5 mm, and each outer diameter is available with a choice of internal diameters. Wall thickness determines the internal diameter and, with it, the achievable yield and the needle’s resistance to mechanical damage. We also produce combined diameter needles made from pulled or connected tubes, for example 1.6/2.2 mm, 2/3 mm, 2.5/3 mm, 2.5/4 mm, 3/4 mm and 3.2/4 mm.

3. What material are your needles made of?

Our needles are made of high-grade AISI 304-316 stainless steel, often with added titanium or other elements that improve durability. The alloy combines hardness with flexibility, so the needles hold their edge longer and offer the highest possible resistance to mechanical damage, which keeps them in service far longer than conventional needles. Steel of this grade resists corrosion, withstands repeated cleaning and is safe for food contact. Where the needle design requires an o-ring, we fit a food grade rubber o-ring (NBR 70 or similar) as standard.

4. Why are your needles electropolished inside and out?

Both the internal and external surfaces of our needles are electropolished to reduce bacterial adhesion and the risk of clogging. We electropolish in-house on our own equipment, so the surface is perfectly smooth inside and out. Combined with a sharp tip, that smooth surface lets the needle enter cleanly, without unnecessary tearing of the tissue, so the finished product shows no visible needle holes. Smooth internal channels also keep the brine flowing evenly and make cleaning easier.

5. Are your needle tips forged?

All round tips are forged. We roll the tube until it closes into a round tip, so the tip and the tube form one piece and the tip is far less likely to snap off and remain in the product. Where welding is not an option, for example under the head, where it joins the needle tube, we use silver soldering. The joint is stronger and sealed, so brine cannot enter an area that could never be cleaned.

6. Which injector brands are your needles compatible with?

Our needles are made for injectors from Fomaco, Schroder, Inject Star, Metalquimia, Gunther, Ruhle, Dorit, Pokomat, CFS/Belam, Nowicki, Karpowicz, Garos, Lutetia, Inwestpol, Townsend and most other common brands. Please note that we are not an agent of any of these companies. We design and manufacture every needle ourselves as a replacement part compatible with these machines. Each brand has its own page on zust-needles.com with the codes we offer.

7. Can you make custom needles, and is there a design fee?

Yes, we make custom needles, and individual designs come at no extra cost. For any quantity we can adjust the internal tube diameter, the number of holes, their diameter and their placement for the best injection results, whether you run a runny or a thick brine, large meat pieces or thin fish fillets. We adapt every needle to your specific injector system and product type and help you reach the yield you are targeting.

8. Is there a minimum order quantity?

No, we do not set a minimum order quantity. We supply OEM customers, spare parts suppliers and processing plants (MRO) directly, and we configure the needles for any quantity. Whether you need a single replacement needle for one injector or a regular supply for several production lines, contact us and we will prepare a quotation ourselves or forward your contact details to our local reseller.

9. How do I order your needles, and what information should I provide?

To order, contact us at sales@zust-needles.com or by phone and describe the needle you need. The most helpful details are the injector brand and model, the ZUST product code from our brand pages (for example FOM L305 D4 quadro), the outer diameter, the tip type (round, two-edge, three-edge, thick brine, hypodermic), the hole pattern, the type of brine and the product you process. We will prepare a quotation ourselves or forward your details to our local reseller.

10. Do you supply o-rings with the needles?

Yes, every needle whose design requires an o-ring is supplied with one as standard, not as an option. We use food grade rubber o-rings (NBR 70 or similar). Because the o-ring is part of the needle configuration, tell us which injector you run and which codes you order, and we will supply the o-rings together with the tube diameter, tip type and hole pattern you specify.

11. Where do you deliver?

Our needles are available worldwide through our distribution network. If you are interested in any of our products, contact us directly and we will either prepare a quotation ourselves or forward your details to our local reseller. Our office is at ul. Heweliusza 11/1110, 80-890 Gdansk, Poland, and we supply processing plants, spare parts suppliers and OEM customers directly.

12. What are tenderizing knives?

Tenderizing knives are cutting tools that make a precise incision in the tissue as the brine is introduced. The incision improves fluid binding, which gives the finished product better flavor and tenderness. We offer tenderizing knives for professional meat injectors as one of our tip types, together with a combined needle/knife that injects and tenderizes in one pass.

13. Do you make needles for fish and poultry?

Yes, we manufacture needles for all types of bone-in or boneless meat, poultry and fish products. For fish and chicken fillets we offer hypodermic needles with an open front, for example FOM L205 quadro hypodermic needles with 1.6 mm tips, and other types of needles for fish injection. Delicate poultry, dense beef and tender fish each call for a different needle, so we match the diameter, the tip and the hole pattern to the product.

14. What tip types are available?

Our needles are available with various tip types: a round tip, a two-edge tip, a three-edge tip, a thick brine tip, a hypodermic tip with an open front and tenderizing knives. We also build shapes that are not on that list, because every production line injects something slightly different. Perforated needles are designed for liquid brines, while open-ended needles handle thicker marinades. The holes sit close to the tip, so the brine fills the meat instead of leaking out. Needles are available in single and quadro versions.

15. How can I contact you?

You can contact us by email at sales@zust-needles.com or by phone at +48 535 000 668 or +48 531 411 668. ZUST Needles is based at ul. Heweliusza 11/1110, 80-890 Gdansk, Poland, and our needles are available worldwide through a distribution network. Send us your injector model and product type and we will prepare a quotation or connect you with our local reseller.