South Africa 10T/H Wood Drying Facility Officially Commissioned with RICHI Machinery Expertise

Johannesburg, South Africa – August 2025 – A new chapter has begun for South Africa's wood processing industry as a 10 tons per hour wood drying system supplied and commissioned by RICHI Machinery has been successfully put into operation. The project is expected to bring significant efficiency gains to the local biomass and timber value chain, underscoring RICHI’s role as a trusted global supplier of advanced processing equipment.

Meeting a Local Need

South Africa is a country rich in forestry resources, with pine, eucalyptus, and wattle plantations covering millions of hectares. These woods serve as the backbone for industries ranging from sawmilling and paper production to renewable biomass energy. However, one persistent challenge has been the moisture content of raw wood materials, which often exceeds optimal levels for pelletizing, combustion, or further processing.

Recognizing this gap, a South African wood products enterprise approached RICHI in search of a drying solution that could handle continuous operations while keeping energy consumption under control. The client’s initial concern was reliability: they needed equipment tough enough to operate in a high-volume environment and adaptable to fluctuating moisture levels.

A Tailored Drying Solution

RICHI Machinery responded with a 10t/h rotary dryer system, engineered for versatility and durability. Unlike standard dryers, this line was customized to manage both sawdust and wood chips—common by-products of South Africa's forestry sector.

The process flow includes:

• Feeding system – smooth transfer of raw sawdust and chips into the drum.
• Rotary dryer with hot air furnace – ensuring uniform and consistent moisture reduction.
• Cyclone dust collection – improving air quality and minimizing environmental impact.
• Automation control – allowing operators to adjust drying temperature and residence time according to the raw material’s initial moisture.

By reducing wood moisture from as high as 50% down to 12–15%, the system ensures that materials are ready for downstream applications such as biomass pellet production, briquette pressing, and boiler fuel supply.

Key Advantages of the RICHI Drying Line

The new system brings several benefits to the South African client:

• Energy Efficiency: Designed with optimized airflow and insulation to lower fuel costs.
• Flexibility: Capable of handling different wood species and particle sizes without major adjustments.
• Reduced Losses: Gentle drying ensures that material degradation and dust loss are minimized.
• Sustainability: Enhanced environmental performance with dust collectors and emission control.

These advantages translate into both economic savings and improved product quality, giving the client a competitive edge in the local biomass supply chain.

Strategic Impact for South Africa

With the global rise in renewable energy demand, South Africa is positioning itself as a future exporter of biomass fuel products such as wood pellets. Drying technology is a critical step in this value chain. The successful launch of the 3t/h RICHI drying system provides a model for other local businesses seeking to modernize their processing capacity and access higher-value markets.

Additionally, the ability to efficiently dry wood waste contributes to circular economy practices, ensuring that forestry by-products are not discarded but instead turned into valuable, clean-burning fuel.

RICHI's Comprehensive Support

One of the hallmarks of this project was RICHI's full-service approach. Beyond delivering the hardware, RICHI provided:

• Turnkey installation and commissioning, ensuring the system was fully operational within the agreed timeframe. Operator training, giving local staff the skills to run the plant independently. Technical consulting, helping the client align drying parameters with downstream pelletizing needs. After-sales service, including spare parts supply and remote technical assistance for long-term stability.

A project manager from RICHI commented:

“Every raw material has its own character, and South African pine is no exception. We took time to test and configure the system so that it delivers consistent drying performance regardless of fluctuations in feedstock moisture. Our mission is to make sure the client's investment pays off for many years to come.”

Client Testimonial

The client echoed this confidence after commissioning was complete:

“We had evaluated several suppliers, but RICHI stood out for their willingness to adapt the design to our specific raw materials. From the first inquiry to final commissioning, the process was transparent, professional, and supportive. We now have a dryer that not only meets but exceeds our expectations, and it positions us strongly for future growth.”

Looking Forward

As the 3t/h wood drying system enters full operation, production output is expected to exceed 20,000 tons of dried wood material annually. This milestone not only enhances the client’s profitability but also reinforces the growing role of modern processing equipment in South Africa’s forestry and biomass industries.

The commissioning of the RICHI 3TPH wood drying system in South Africa stands as a strong example of how advanced engineering, local customization, and full-service support can elevate industrial operations. For businesses in the biomass and forestry sectors, RICHI Machinery continues to demonstrate that investing in high-quality, reliable equipment is the key to unlocking long-term growth and competitiveness.