Project Signing: Pistachio Shell Pellet Line for Industrial Heating Application in Iran

A contract has been signed for a 3 t/h pistachio shell pellet production line, to be installed at a processing facility in a pistachio-growing region of Iran, where the country's substantial pistachio processing industry generates significant volumes of shell waste as a byproduct.

Pistachio shells are notably hard and dense compared to most agricultural residues used for pelletizing — closer in hardness to some hardwoods or even certain nut shells used in abrasive applications — which has implications for grinding equipment wear and the pellet press die's compression ratio requirements.

The biomass pellet production line includes a hammer mill (specified with heavier-duty hammers and screen given the shell's hardness — a standard configuration would likely see accelerated wear, similar to considerations noted for coconut shell and bamboo material in other recent projects), ring die biomass pellet mill, and cooler. No dryer is included — pistachio shells, after processing at the nut facility, typically arrive at a moisture content low enough (often under 10%) that drying isn't necessary, similar to the coconut shell scenario.

Finished pellets are 8mm diameter, with a calorific value the buyer's preliminary testing indicates is notably high — pistachio shell pellets, like several other hard nut/seed shell pellets, tend to offer good energy density, making them attractive for industrial boiler fuel applications, in this case intended for the buyer's own facility heating needs initially, with potential for external sales of surplus production depending on how internal demand develops.

The contract includes a provision for RICHI to supply an initial set of spare grinding components (extra hammers and screens) alongside the main equipment shipment, given the anticipated faster wear rate — a practical addition based on the material characteristics rather than a standard inclusion, agreed during contract negotiations after RICHI shared wear-rate estimates based on similar hard-shell materials processed in past projects.

Manufacturing will commence following finalization of payment terms, with delivery estimated at approximately 8-10 weeks from contract signing, accounting for current production scheduling at RICHI's facility.