RICHI Pig Manure Organic Fertilizer Production Line Commissioned in Spain

The plant sits in Castilla y León, a region of dry plains and intensive pig production. Barns stretch in long rows across the landscape, each holding thousands of animals. The manure they produce has been a problem for decades—excess nutrients, odors, complaints from neighboring communities.

Market Background

Spain's pig industry has grown to become one of Europe's largest, driven by export demand for pork products. But growth has concentrated production in regions where land for manure spreading is limited. Nutrient surpluses accumulate. Groundwater nitrate levels rise. Regulators press for solutions.

Pelletizing offers a partial solution. By converting manure to a dry, stable product, nutrients can be transported economically to regions with deficit. The pellets substitute for chemical fertilizers, closing nutrient loops that currently leak to the environment.

Raw Material and Processing Strategy

Pig manure from intensive operations is mostly liquid—slurry that flows from barns to storage lagoons. The solid fraction separated from this slurry provides the feedstock for pelleting. It's mixed with straw or other carbon sources to adjust moisture and improve composting characteristics.

The processing sequence:

1. Solid-liquid separation at the barns concentrates nutrients
2. Composting stabilizes organic matter and reduces pathogens
3. Drying lowers moisture to pelletizing range
4. Pelletizing forms uniform granules
5. Cooling and screening prepare finished product

Each stage must be controlled to preserve nutrient value while producing a product that meets fertilizer regulations.

Equipment Configuration

The Castilla y León line includes:

• Fermentation system with aeration and turning
• Hammer mill for consistent particle size
• Rotary dryer with emissions control
• FZLH series organic fertilizer pellet machine
• Cooling and screening units
• Bagging and palletizing for finished product

The fertilizer granulator machine uses corrosion-resistant materials throughout—stainless steel where contact with manure acids is unavoidable, heavy coatings elsewhere.

Installation and Commissioning

Installation began in December, working through the region's cold but dry winter. Trial production in February confirmed the organic fertilizer production line's ability to maintain 5 tons per hour with consistent pellet quality.

Operators spent two weeks training on process control, learning to read the indicators that signal changes in feedstock characteristics and adjust accordingly.

Regional Impact

The plant enables local pig farms to reduce nutrient surpluses while creating a saleable product. For the region's arable farmers, it provides a local source of organic fertilizer that reduces dependence on imported synthetic products. For RICHI Machinery, it demonstrates the company's capability in the challenging field of manure processing.