How to Make Tofu Cat Litter Pellets? Project Report For Starting Cat Litter Factory

As demand for natural, eco-friendly, and dust-free cat litter continues to rise—especially in Asia, Europe, and North America—more businesses are exploring tofu cat litter production as a viable, long-term opportunity. This report outlines what you need to know to start your own tofu cat litter factory, from production process to equipment selection and real-world factory cases.

What is Tofu Cat Litter? Why Are So Many Businesses Switching?

Tofu cat litter is made from plant-based byproducts like soybean fiber, corn starch, and pea residue. It clumps quickly, absorbs moisture well, and is biodegradable. It's not only safer for cats (and owners), but also better for the environment.

Key Benefits:

• Made from renewable ingredients (soybean meal, cornstarch, etc.);
• Dust-free and flushable;
• No added chemicals or fragrances;
• Gaining popularity in Japan, Korea, EU, and North America;
• Easy to export thanks to low weight and clean packaging.

How Are Tofu Cat Litter Pellets Made? A Step-by-Step Overview

To produce tofu cat litter pellets, you'll need to prepare raw materials, mix them in the right ratios, shape them using a pellet machine, then cool, dry, and package the finished product.

Tofu Cat Litter Pellet Production Process:

1. Raw material preparation:
   Prepare raw materials such as corn starch, tofu dregs, guar gum, etc. The materials that need to be crushed need to be processed by a crusher for subsequent processing.
   Different tofu cat litter manufacturers have different raw materials and formulas. Some customers also add bentonite, grass powder, bamboo powder, paper scraps and other raw materials to tofu cat litter. And now there are more and more tofu cat litter products with special formulas.
2. Mixing:
   Mix different kinds of raw materials in proportion and mix them thoroughly through a cat litter mixer.
3. Pelleting:
   Send the mixed materials into the molding machine, and after pressing and molding, they become granular or agglomerated cat litter products. Generally speaking, the processing of tofu cat litter requires a cat litter pellet machine with a conditioner.
   If you are processing waste paper cat litter and wood cat litter, you need to choose a cat litter granulator without a conditioner. This is determined by the raw materials and process of the cat litter.
4. Drying and cooling:
   Send the formed cat litter particles or agglomerates into the drying equipment, and after high-temperature drying treatment, reduce its water content and improve its quality.
   The temperature of the dried cat litter is high and needs to be cooled. When the particles are cooled to room temperature, they enter the screening section. The cooling section can determine the hardness of the pellets and make them not easy to break.
5. Screening and packaging:
   The dried cat litter pellets are sent to the screening equipment for screening to remove impurities, and then packaged into bags or other packaging forms for sale. Final product bagged in 5-10kg export-ready packages. Average production time: ~30 minutes per ton (depending on moisture and formula)

The above is the common process flow of tofu cat litter processing equipment. Different manufacturers may be different, but the general process is similar. Next, we will further understand "how to process tofu cat litter" based on the process of different tofu cat litter production line design we have made.

Tofu cat litter processing project video

Different needs, different tofu cat litter processing technology designs

As tofu cat litter continues to gain ground in both domestic and international pet care markets, manufacturers are increasingly looking for optimized production processes that suit their specific raw materials, product expectations, and budget plans.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution—different raw materials behave differently in processing. Whether you’re working with high-moisture soybean dregs, low-cost wheat bran, or premium blends for export, choosing the right manufacturing process is key to ensuring product quality, production stability, and market competitiveness.

Below, we present three common tofu cat litter production schemes, widely used across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Each is based on real client setups and refined through years of practical operation.

[Example 1]: 1T/H Tofu Cat Litter Processing Solution - Russia Project

Process flow: feeding - mixing - granulation - drying - cooling - screening - automatic packaging scale

This project adopts a fully automated design, achieving seamless connection from feeding to packaging. The raw materials are mixed with 70% pre-weighed Russian local soybean fiber and 25% Kazakhstan corn starch, which enter the WLDH-1000 horizontal mixer through a 500kg stainless steel hopper and complete uniform mixing in 8 minutes.

The granulation stage uses the SZLH-250 ring die cat litter granulator, equipped with a unique 3.5mmD-type mold, to produce 1.2T/H high-quality granules. The three-layer gas belt dryer reduces the moisture content to 12% through a gradient temperature of 85°C-65°C, and finally after countercurrent cooling and screening, it is accurately filled by a fully automatic packaging machine. The entire line has a special anti-freeze design, and the electrical components meet the GOST-R standard, which perfectly adapts to the severe cold climate in Russia.

[Example 2]: 1-2T/H Tofu Cat Litter Production Solution - Thailand Project

Process flow: PLC weighing system - liquid addition - mixing - granulation - drying - cooling - screening - manual packaging

Specially optimized for the high temperature and high humidity environment in Thailand, the production line is equipped with a PLC intelligent weighing system to accurately mix local soybean residue and cassava starch. The SLHY-0.5 double-shaft mixer completes the uniform mixing of raw materials and antibacterial liquid within 6 minutes, and the moisture deviation is controlled at ±0.8%.

The economical SZLH-250 ring die cat litter pellet machine is used with a 4mm mold, with an hourly output of up to 2 tons. The single-layer gas dryer solves the agglomeration problem caused by tropical climate through intelligent temperature control, eliminating the cooler and using a 48-hour natural cooling solution. The final product is bagged manually, which significantly reduces the initial investment cost and is particularly suitable for small and medium-sized investors in Southeast Asia.

[Example 3]: 3-4T/H Tofu Cat Litter Production Solution - Brazil Project

Process flow: PLC raw material weighing system - liquid addition & mixing system (1 cubic meter mixing bin) - granulation (1 cubic meter granulation bin) - cooling belt - manual packaging - electric bag sewing machine

In order to adapt to the customer's 7-meter-high factory building, an innovative sinking PLC weighing system is adopted. The raw material bin and the 1 cubic meter granulation bin form a buffer system to ensure that the SZLH-320 granulator can continuously and stably produce 3.5T/H of 5mm cylindrical particles. The breakthrough use of 6-meter stainless steel cooling belts to replace traditional cooling towers, combined with the factory ventilation system to achieve cost savings.

The manual packaging station is equipped with an electric bag sewing machine, which reduces equipment investment by 35% while ensuring production capacity. The entire line is specially strengthened with anti-rust treatment and uses 220V/60Hz Brazilian standard power supply, which is perfectly adapted to South American market conditions.

Each of these tofu cat litter production schemes is tailored to different factory conditions, business models, and product strategies. Whether you're planning a compact 2t/h startup line or a high-capacity turnkey factory, our team can help you design the best-fit configuration, match the most suitable equipment, and provide detailed cost analysis.

It should be emphasized that the process flow of the cat litter plant project undertaken by RICHI MACHINERY is all customized because the raw materials, formulas, plant structure and area, special needs and investment budgets of customers are different.

Want to find out which scheme fits your needs best? Contact our engineers for a free project layout and ROI analysis.

If you want to carry out tofu cat litter processing, bentonite cat litter processing, waste paper cat litter processing, wood pellet cat litter processing, zeolite cat litter processing, diatomaceous earth cat litter processing, crystal cat litter processing, attapulgite cat litter processing or other types of cat litter product processing, feel free to contact us to customize the cat litter processing process flow, get a full set of equipment configuration and quotation, plant layout and construction plan!

In order to let you better understand how to process tofu cat litter and how to build a tofu cat litter plant, below, we will list two of our projects for you, one is the 10t/h Kazakhstan tofu cat litter production line project, and the other is the Russian 16-17 tons tofu cat litter processing project. I hope you can learn more about tofu cat litter processing business from these two projects.

Core equipment required for processing tofu cat litter (from raw materials to finished products)

There are many equipments for processing tofu cat litter, mainly the following:

1. Raw material crusher (Crusher/Pulverizer)

• Function: Crush the raw materials (soy dregs, corn flour, pea dregs, etc.) to a particle size suitable for granulation (generally 40-80 mesh).
• Features: Hammer structure, can be equipped with iron removal device, anti-clogging design, suitable for dregs with slightly high humidity.
• Note: It is recommended to dehydrate or naturally dry the dregs with high humidity first.
• 

2. Raw material Mixer (Mixer)

• Function: Evenly mix various raw materials (main raw materials + adhesives + deodorants, etc.)
• Recommended equipment: Double-shaft paddle mixer (can be equipped with liquid addition system).
• Advantages: High mixing uniformity (CV value <5%), can automatically spray and add additives such as xylitol, guar gum, deodorant powder, etc.
• Optional function: preheating device, convenient for winter use.
• 

3. Tofu Cat Litter Pellet Machine——Core Equipment

• Function: Extrude the wet mixture into uniform granules or strips, columnar granules.
• Structural type: Ring die pelletizer.
• Recommended specifications: capacity1-40t/h optional, Common mold aperture 2.0mm-3.0mm (cylindrical) or strip forming blade.
• Advantages: Special low-temperature extrusion design to protect the stability of the adhesive, the mold can be replaced to meet the needs of various shapes (circle, strip, semi-arc, granule).
• 

4. Tofu Cat Litter Pellet Cooler

• Function: Quickly reduce the temperature of the granules to prevent adhesion and deformation.
• Recommended equipment: Countercurrent cooler.
• Effect: The outlet temperature of the granules is controlled below 40°C, which is convenient for subsequent drying.
• 

5. Tofu Cat Litter Dryer

• Function: Further reduce the moisture content of the granules (target 6-8%) and improve storage stability.
• Recommended equipment: multi-layer vibrating belt dryer (or drum dryer).
• Control points: feed temperature is controlled at ≤120°C, discharge moisture content is controlled at 6-8%, and drying time is 20-40 minutes.
• 

6. Tofu Cat Litter Screener + Polisher

• Function: sieve out powder or oversized particles (recyclable), polish to make the particle surface smoother and reduce dust.
• Recommended equipment: vibrating screen + single-drum rolling polisher.
• 

7. Tofu Cat Litter Automatic packaging machine (Bagging Machine)

• Function: quantitatively package the finished product in 5kg, 10kg, and 25kg quantities.
• Type: valve port packaging machine or open packaging machine.
• Optional functions: automatic weighing, dust prevention device, integrated sealing and printing.
• 

Featured cat litter factory Cases

Below are some of the featured cat litter factory projects we have done. You can also go directly to our case center to view more cat litter project information!

Cat litter is a must for indoor cats, but outdoor-venturing cats will also appreciate a readily available tray filled with clean litter. The best cat litter and litter trays give your kitty a hygienic, private and convenient toilet in the comfort of their own home, whatever the weather. Cat litter comes in a huge variety of types, some of which will suit your cat and some of which won't. What all cats do have in common is fastidious cleanliness, so they'll always appreciate a carefully-cleaned, freshly-filled tray. Without it, accidents can occur, especially if your cat is very young or old, or hasn't been well.

According to different formulas and materials, tofu cat litter has been researched and developed by engineers and technicians. The cost of cat litter is also based on different formulas to make different levels of cat litter, and the price is also quite different. Depending on the recipe of cat litter, the processing cost of cat litter is also different. The quality and formula of cat litter are the main constraints to the cost of cat litter.

Investment Cost for Tofu Cat Litter Production Project

Building a tofu cat litter production line involves several cost elements, including machinery, auxiliary equipment, layout design, installation, packaging systems, and optional automation features. Whether you're a first-time investor or an established factory owner expanding into new product lines, the total cost depends on capacity, automation level, and raw material handling needs.

Below we break down the typical investment ranges for tofu cat litter plants of different sizes.

Investment by Production Capacity

Understand Your Budget Options from Startup to Full-Scale Manufacturing:

Breakdown of Major Equipment Costs

Note: Pricing may vary based on region, freight, and level of customization.

Additional Costs to Consider

What Affects the Final Investment?

1. Raw Material Type: Wet okara requires dryers and moisture handling systems, increasing cost. Pre-dried materials lower initial investment.
2. Pellet Shape and Quality: High-grade polished pellets need extra polishing and screening machines. Multi-shape molds require mold-switching systems.
3. Packaging Requirements:Automated packaging with barcode systems and nitrogen flushing costs more than manual bagging.
4. Local Labor Costs: Highly automated lines reduce labor costs long term but require higher upfront automation investment.
5. Space & Power Supply: A 10 t/h cat litter pellet line typically requires 600–1,000 m² of space and 150–250 kW of power.

Return on Investment (ROI) — A Snapshot

For a standard 5t/h tofu cat litter pellet line:

• Production cost per ton: ~$80–$120
• Wholesale price per ton: ~$250–$400 (depending on market)
• Payback period: 6 to 18 months, depending on sales volume and packaging model

We offer ROI simulations based on your local costs and pricing strategy. Just send us your target market and raw material price.

What can we offer?

Our Services Include:

• Tofu cat litter raw materials and recipe guide;
• Custom factory design;
• Cost optimization guidance;
• Equipment manufacturing, sourcing and integration;
• Installation and commissioning support;
• After-sales parts and training;
• Export documentation and compliance.

Just tell us your expected capacity, raw material, and packaging needs. We'll send you a tailored quotation + layout plan + ROI estimation within 24 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here's a collection of common client questions we receive. Use this to educate customers and reduce pre-sale communication friction.

1. What's the ideal moisture level for tofu cat litter raw materials?

• For wet process lines, fresh soybean dregs can be 50–60% moisture. These lines include full drying systems.
• For dry process lines, moisture should be controlled within 12–15%. We can advise on drying options if needed.

2. Can one line produce multiple pellet shapes?

Yes. Our pellet machines can be customized with interchangeable molds. Switching shapes (round, strip, semi-flat) takes about 15–30 minutes.

3. How long does it take to set up a full production line?

From contract signing to on-site commissioning, typically:

• Production time: 30–60 working days
• Shipping & customs: 15–30 days
• Installation & training: 7–15 days

4. What capacity line should I start with?

It depends on your sales goals:

• 1–2t/h line: for startups or test markets
• 5–8t/h line: for growing regional brands
• 10t/h+: for exporters and national-scale brands

We can help assess your ROI based on local pricing and raw material costs.

5. Can I use a single line to make other types of cat litter (bentonite, wood)?

No. Tofu cat litter lines are designed for plant-based, low-viscosity materials.

If you're planning to make wood or bentonite cat litter, different machines and process designs are required. We have also done many wood pellet cat litter, paper pellet cat litter, and bentonite cat litter processing projects. You can directly consult us online to customize the appropriate design plan and equipment configuration.

6. Is tofu cat litter export-friendly?

Yes! It's lightweight, compact, and in high demand globally. Most customers ship in 5kg or 10kg bags, packed in cartons or woven sacks.

We support OEM packaging and private label setup for overseas clients.

7. What support do you provide after installation?

• 1-year warranty on core equipment
• Lifetime technical consultation
• Free layout + formula guidance
• Remote troubleshooting via video or app

8. How much dust does tofu litter generate during production?

Our machines are fitted with sealed hoppers, dust collectors, and airflow screens to minimize dust. Final products have dust <0.2%, depending on polishing and screening steps.

9. What raw materials are needed to process tofu cat litter?

• Plant fiber substrate (accounting for 60-80%):
  Soybean fiber, corn starch, cassava starch, wheat fiber, bamboo fiber, grass fiber, etc.
• Adhesive (10-25%):
  Guar gum, xanthan gum, modified potato starch, etc.
• Functional additives:
  Antibacterial agent, deodorizing factor, humidity regulator, food coloring, etc.

At present, our main projects are concentrated in the production range of 1-4t/h, but we also have several large-scale tofu cat litter production line projects. Here we will share two of them with you.

[CASE 1 ]10T/H tofu cat litter factory in Kazakhstan

This is a tofu cat litter factory in Kazakhstan project. The client is a pet food company. Based on the good development prospects of the pet products industry, the client decided to invest 430,000 US dollars to build a cat litter production line project with an annual output of 50,000 tons. The project produces 10 tons of tofu cat litter per hour.

Construction content and scale

The cat litter factory in Kazakhstan project produces 50,000 tons of cat litter per year. The project covers an area of 2,000 square meters (3 acres) and a total construction area of 2,000 square meters. The main construction area includes 2,000 square meters of factory buildings, 1,000 square meters of raw material and finished product warehouses, and 200 square meters of office areas.

This project will build 2 production lines in two phases. After the project is completed, it will produce 50,000 tons of cat litter per year. The project has a labor quota of 20 people, 300 working days per year, and adopts a two-shift 16-hour work system. The composition of the project is shown in the following table:

Raw and auxiliary materials

The main raw and auxiliary materials of this cat litter factory in Kazakhstan project are wheat flour, corn flour, tofu residue, etc. The project area has a well-developed transportation network, and raw and auxiliary materials can be purchased locally and in surrounding cities.

The market supply is sufficient to meet the production needs of the project. The consumption of raw and auxiliary materials is shown in the table below.

Production equipment

The main production equipment of the two phases of this cat litter factory in Kazakhstan project is the same, see the table below for details.

Public works

Water supply

The water used in the cat litter factory in Kazakhstan project is provided by the local water supply system, and the water quality and quantity can meet the needs of the project. The project needs water in the production process, and the water consumption is 1.5m3/d, which is all used in the product, and no production wastewater is generated; no greening water is used.

The project has a labor quota of 20, and the living water consumption is calculated as 40L/person·d, and the water consumption is 0.8m3/d. Therefore, the fresh water consumption of the project is 2.3m3/d.

Power supply

The electricity used in this project is provided by the local power supply system, and the voltage and power can meet the needs of the project.

Heating

The heat used for production in this cat litter factory project is provided by an electric heating furnace, and air conditioning is used for office and living heat in winter. No boiler is installed.

Kazakhstan Cat litter pellet production Process flow design

In this cat litter factory in Kazakhstan project, how to process tofu cat litter? According to the customer's raw materials and needs, RICHI engineers designed the cat litter processing process for the customer as follows:

1. Batching
   The crushed raw materials are batched according to a certain proportion.
2. Lifting
   The raw materials that are proportioned are transported by a hoist.
3. Mixing
   Pour the raw materials transported by the elevator into the mixer for mixing.
4. Lifting
   Transport the mixed raw materials with the elevator.
5. Granulation
   Pour the mixed cat litter raw materials transported by the elevator into the cat litter pellet machine for granulation.
6. Scraper conveying
   Convey the prepared pellets to the next process with a scraper conveyor.
7. Flap cooling
   Cool the delivered tofu cat litter pellets with a flap cooler.
8. Scraper conveying
   Convey the cooled tofu cat litter pellets to the next process with a scraper conveyor.
9. Screening
   Screen the delivered tofu cat litter pellets with a flat rotary screen to select particles of different sizes.
10. Drying
    Pour the screened tofu cat litter pellets into a drying oven for drying
11. Flap cooling
    Cool the dried tofu cat litter pellets with a flap cooler.
12. Scraper conveying
    Convey the cooled tofu cat litter pellets to the next process with a scraper conveyor.
13. Screening
    The delivered tofu cat litter pellets are screened with a flat rotary screen to obtain finished products of different pellet sizes.
14. Finished product packaging
    The finished cat litter pellets are packaged with a packaging scale, inspected and boxed after packaging, and sent to the finished product warehouse for sale.

[CASE 2 ]16-17T/H tofu cat litter factory in Russia

Here is a project report for a large 16-17t/h cat litter factory we have done in Russia. In order to meet market demand, the client invested 650,000 USD to build a new tofu cat litter pellet plant with an annual output of 80,000 tons, using soybean fiber, corn flour, walnut wood, and water as raw materials, through ingredients, mixing, granulating, and drying, screening, packaging and other processes. After the cat litter factory completion, it will produce 40,000 tons of tofu cat litter and 40,000 tons of plant cat litter.

(By bidding, RICHI undertakes the construction of the cat litter pellet production line project with an annual output of 40,000 tons, plant cat litter production line provided by a other cat litter making machine manufacturer. )

1.Construction Content Of 16-17T/H Cat Litter Factory

3. Raw and auxiliary materials

4. Main Cat Litter Machines

5. russia cat litter factory Process flow design

The 16-17tph Russia automatic tofu cat litter pellet production line project uses soybean fiber, walnut wood, corn flour, water, etc. as the main raw materials to produce cat litter through batching, mixing, granulating, drying, screening, and packaging. After the whole cat litter manufacturing palnt project is completed, it will produce 40,000 tons of tofu cat litter and 40,000 tons of plant cat litter.

The production process of tofu cat litter is the same as that of plant cat litter, only the ratio of raw materials is different. This cat litter factory project has a total of 4 kitty litter pellet production lines with the same production process and capacity.

1. Material storage
   The raw materials of the cat litter factory project are soybean fiber, corn starch, and walnut wood in bags, all of which are purchased. The raw material truck is a closed transportation vehicle, which will be stored directly after entering the litter pellet factory.
2. Batching and mixing system
   The raw materials are transported to the workshop by the human material trolley, and they are manually put into the feed opening of the elevator in the batching room. The weight of the materials is automatically measured, and the materials are conveyed to the mixer by the enclosed screw elevator. Water is added in proportion, and the materials are fully mixed and the mixing is confidential. 
3. Granulation system
   The uniformly mixed wet material is transported to the cat litter sand pellet machine by the closed elevator. The steam enters the cat litter making machine through the pipeline and directly contacts the material for granulation. The granulation is confidential and the steam does not overflow. The wet material is squeezed in the cat litter pellet machine.
4. Drying system
   The finished product of granulation is conveyed to the drying bin by the airtight conveyor belt, and dried by steam heating. The drying bin is airtight. There is an induced draft fan in the drying bin.
5. Screening section
   After the material is dried, it becomes a large pellet product. The dried product is transported to a vibrating screen by a conveyor belt for screening. According to product requirements, product pellets with a particle size of <5mm are unqualified products and are screened through the screening process. In addition, unqualified products are collected and reused for production. The materials move with the vibration of the vibrating screen into the cat litter packing machine for packaging process.
6. Packaging system
   The materials are sent into the cat litter packaging machine in equal amounts along with the vibration, and the packaging machine automatically bagging and sealing. After the bagging is completed, the products are waiting for sale.

Let’s Build Your Cat Litter Business Together

Choosing RICHI Machinery means gaining a partner who understands the details behind cat litter processing—and who’s committed to helping your business grow from startup to success.

Contact us today for a free consultation, quotation, or 3D layout plan customized to your market.