10-12T/H Cassava Peel Pellet Machine in Thailand

From Waste Disposal to Feed Production

A cassava starch factory in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand, produces 300 tons of wet cassava peels daily as a byproduct of starch extraction.

The peels have an initial moisture content of 75–80% and were previously dumped in open landfills, creating environmental issues including foul odors, leachate, and greenhouse gas emissions.

The factory was incurring waste disposal costs of 30,000 THB per day (approximately €800).

Cassava peels contain residual starch, fiber, and protein that make them suitable for animal feed applications after proper drying and processing.

The factory owner decided to convert the waste into feed pellets for sale to local livestock farms, poultry operations, and feed distributors.

RICHI Solution: SZLH420 Ring Die Pellet Mill

RICHI Machinery conducted a comprehensive application review and recommended the SZLH420 ring die pellet mill for this feed production line.

The factory had existing space for a drying and pelleting line, and had already purchased a rotary dryer separately.

Model Selection Criteria – SZLH420 (110kW)

• Capacity: 10–12 tons/hour – matching the factory's 60-ton daily target (5–6 operating hours)
• Power: 110kW main motor – sufficient for processing fibrous cassava peels with consistent torque
• Ring die diameter: 420mm – engineered for 8mm feed pellets with optimal compression ratio
• Conditioner: 7.5kW – steam conditioning softens natural lignin and starches for superior binding without additives
• Heavy-duty construction: Designed to handle fibrous, abrasive feed materials with extended service life

Feed Product Specifications & Nutritional Value

Thailand is the world's largest cassava starch exporter. The factory processes cassava peels into feed pellets with the following specifications:

• Raw material: Cassava peels (from the factory's own starch production line)
• Wet peel moisture: 75–80%
• Dried peel moisture: 12–14% (after rotary drying)
• Pellet diameter: 8mm (standard for cattle, poultry, and swine feed)
• Crude protein: 4–6% (residual protein from cassava peel tissue)
• Crude fiber: 15–20% (beneficial for ruminant digestion)
• Starch content: 40–50% (provides digestible energy for livestock)
• Lignin content: 10–15% (acts as natural binder during pelleting – no additives required)

Feed Application by Species

• Ruminants (cattle, buffalo): The fiber and starch content make cassava peel pellets suitable as an energy supplement in total mixed rations (TMR).
• Swine: Can be included as a fibrous feed ingredient, with proper formulation to balance energy and fiber levels.
• Poultry: Cassava peel pellets can be used as a partial replacement for corn in broiler and layer diets when supplemented with additional protein sources.

Processing Steps: From Wet Peel to Feed Pellet

The complete processing line for converting wet cassava peels into feed pellets involves the following steps:

1. Mechanical pressing: Wet peels (75–80% moisture) are pressed to remove excess water, reducing moisture to 60–65%.
2. Rotary drying: Pressed peels enter a rotary dryer, reducing moisture to 12–14%.
3. Hammer milling: Dried peels are milled to a uniform particle size of 4–6mm for optimal pellet compression.
4. Steam conditioning: Milled material is conditioned with steam at 80°C, increasing moisture to 15% and activating natural binders.
5. Pelleting: The conditioned mash is fed into the SZLH420 pellet mill and compressed through an 8mm ring die.
6. Cooling & storage: Hot pellets are cooled, screened, and either bagged or stored in silos for distribution.

End users include livestock farms, poultry operations, feed mills, and agricultural cooperatives across Thailand's central and northeastern regions.

Engineering & Customization: RICHI's Technical Expertise

RICHI's engineering team conducted a detailed site integration review before equipment delivery.

The existing building was evaluated for load-bearing capacity, clearance heights, and workflow integration.

A 300mm thick reinforced concrete foundation was specified and installed for the SZLH420 cassava peel pellet machine to ensure vibration-free operation.

The electrical system was configured to Thai standard (380V, 50Hz three-phase). The 110kW motor required a 250-amp breaker with appropriate cable sizing.

RICHI provided custom ring die specifications with the optimal compression ratio for cassava peel feed pellets, maximizing both throughput and pellet durability.

Dust control measures were engineered into the line, including sealed transfer points and a centralized dust collection system to maintain a clean working environment.

Logistics & Delivery: Qingdao to Bangkok

The SZLH420 cassava peel pellet machine was shipped from Qingdao Port to the Port of Bangkok (Khlong Toei Port), Thailand's largest seaport.

Shipping time was approximately 7–10 days via the South China Sea route.

The machine was disassembled into modular components and securely packed in a 40-foot container.

Shipping contents included:

• SZLH420 pellet mill main unit (110kW motor)
• Feeder (1.5kW) and conditioner (7.5kW)
• Ring die (8mm for feed pellets – included)
• Spare roller shells (one set)
• Installation manual and electrical diagram in Thai

Customs clearance in Bangkok took approximately 3 days. Total landed cost was about 18% higher than the FOB price.

On-site transport from the port to the factory in Nakhon Ratchasima was coordinated by the client's logistics team.

Installation & Commissioning

Installation was completed over a three-week period, with RICHI providing remote technical guidance and on-site supervision support.

The existing building was converted into a dedicated pellet production line with proper material flow from drying to milling to pelleting to cooling.

The concrete foundation (300mm thick) was poured and cured before equipment placement. Anchor bolts were precisely positioned using RICHI's installation drawings.

Electrical hookup was completed by the client's local electrician following RICHI's electrical diagram. All safety interlocks and emergency stops were verified.

Steam lines were connected to the conditioner, and a pressure test confirmed no leaks in the system.

First Test Run

The initial test run used dried cassava peels at 13% moisture and 6mm particle size.

The conditioner was set to add steam, bringing the mash to 80°C with 15% moisture content.

The pellet mill operated smoothly at 11 tons/hour – within the target range of 10–12 t/h.

Pellet durability (PDI) was measured at 95%, indicating excellent pellet quality suitable for commercial feed distribution.

Pellet appearance showed a smooth surface with no cracks, confirming the correct ring die specification and conditioning parameters.

Operator Training

RICHI provided comprehensive on-site training for the client's production team, covering:

• Pellet mill start-up, operation, and shut-down procedures
• Ring die and roller shell inspection, adjustment, and replacement
• Conditioner temperature and moisture control
• Routine maintenance schedules and lubrication protocols
• Troubleshooting common operational issues
• Quality control sampling and pellet durability testing

All training was delivered in Thai with translated materials to ensure full comprehension.

Feed Industry Applications & Market Demand

The cassava peel feed pellets produced by this line serve multiple segments of the livestock feed market:

• Beef cattle operations: Used as a high-energy roughage supplement during dry-season feeding
• Dairy farms: Incorporated into TMR (total mixed rations) to boost energy density
• Swine operations: Used as a cost-effective fiber and energy source in grower-finisher diets
• Poultry farms: Partial replacement for corn in broiler and layer diets, reducing feed costs
• Fish feed production: Processed to finer particle sizes for certain aquaculture applications

Local feed mills have expressed strong interest in purchasing cassava peel pellets as a raw material for their own compounded feed formulations.

The pelletized form offers excellent storage stability, reduced transportation costs, and ease of handling compared to raw dried peels.

Why Cassava Peels Are Suitable for Feed Pellets

Cassava peels have several properties that make them well-suited for feed pellet production:

• Starch content (40–50%): Provides digestible energy for livestock, reducing the need for supplemental grains.
• Fiber content (15–20%): Beneficial for ruminant digestion and gut health in monogastric animals.
• Lignin content (10–15%): Natural binding agent that eliminates the need for synthetic binders during pelleting.
• Protein content (4–6%): Contributes to the overall protein profile of compounded feeds.
• Availability: Thailand produces millions of tons of cassava peels annually – a vast, low-cost, and consistent feedstock.
• Sustainability: Processing waste into feed reduces environmental impact and supports circular economy principles.

Critical Processing Parameters for Feed Pellets

Moisture Management

Cassava peels must be dried before pelleting to achieve proper pellet quality:

• Wet peel moisture: 75–80%
• After mechanical press: 60–65%
• After rotary dryer: 12–14% – target for feed pelleting
• Conditioner output: 15% moisture – optimal for binding
• Final feed pellet moisture: 10–12% – for storage stability

Particle Size for Pelleting

• Target particle size for hammer milling: 4–6mm
• Uniform particle size ensures consistent pellet quality and reduces die wear
• A dedicated hammer mill with appropriate screen sizes was installed upstream of the pellet mill

Steam Conditioning

• Conditioning temperature: 80°C – activates natural starches and lignin as binders
• Residence time: 30–45 seconds – adequate for uniform heat and moisture penetration
• Steam pressure: 2–3 bar – supplied from the factory's existing boiler system

Ring Die Specification for Feed Pellets

• Die diameter: 420mm
• Die hole diameter: 8mm – standard for cattle and poultry feed
• Compression ratio: 1:8 – optimized for cassava peel feed formulation
• Die material: Alloy steel with wear-resistant treatment for extended service life
• Hole configuration: 30–35% open area for optimal throughput and pellet density

Customer Feedback

After six months of commercial operation, the factory's production manager provided the following assessment of the project:

"We used to pay to dispose of cassava peels. Now we sell them as feed pellets. The peels have starch, fiber, and protein – livestock farmers value them as a feed ingredient."

"The SZLH420 cassava peel pellet machine produces 11 tons per hour of durable 8mm feed pellets. The conditioner at 80°C softens the lignin and starches, which act as natural binders. We don't need any added binders."

"Our customers are livestock farms, poultry operations, and feed mills. They are happy to buy our pellets – they offer good energy value at a competitive price."

"The machine runs reliably with minimal downtime. The RICHI team provided excellent documentation, remote support, and training for our operators."

"For any starch factory with cassava peels, pelleting into feed is the best way to turn waste into profit."

RICHI's Role: A Full-Service Equipment & Engineering Partner

RICHI Machinery's role in this project extended well beyond equipment supply:

• Application engineering: Conducted raw material analysis and recommended the optimal pellet mill configuration
• Custom die design: Provided ring die with specific compression ratio for cassava peel feed pellets
• Site integration planning: Reviewed building layout and provided foundation and electrical specifications
• Modular delivery: Disassembled equipment into shippable modules with clear installation documentation
• Commissioning support: Remote and on-site supervision during installation and first test runs
• Operator training: Comprehensive training covering all aspects of operation and maintenance
• After-sales support: Ongoing technical assistance, spare parts supply, and maintenance guidance
• Thai documentation: Full manuals and electrical diagrams provided in Thai for local team use

Regional Experience: RICHI in Southeast Asia

RICHI Machinery has extensive experience in the Southeast Asian feed and biomass processing industries.

The company has delivered equipment to Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, understanding regional raw materials, power standards, and operational practices.

Thai-language documentation, local service networks, and familiarity with Thai electrical and safety standards ensure smooth project execution.

This local expertise reduces project risk and accelerates commissioning timelines for new clients.

Is a Cassava Peel Pellet Mill Right for Your Operation?

This solution is well-suited for the following scenarios:

• Cassava starch factories generating significant peel byproduct volumes
• Existing feed mills seeking a consistent, cost-effective fibrous feed ingredient
• Agricultural cooperatives wanting to add value to cassava processing waste
• Livestock operations with on-site processing capabilities looking to reduce feed costs

A complete line may include:

• Mechanical press (for moisture reduction)
• Rotary dryer (for further moisture reduction)
• Hammer mill (for particle size reduction)
• Pellet mill (SZLH series) with conditioner
• Cooler and screener (for finished product)

A Proven Feed Production Solution

For the Thai cassava starch factory, the SZLH420 ring die pellet mill transformed a costly waste stream into a profitable feed pellet operation.

The system processes 10–12 tons of dried cassava peels per hour into durable 8mm feed pellets, generating approximately 20,000 tons of product annually.

Financial performance has been exceptional: annual revenue of 110,000,000 THB against processing costs of 4,500,000 THB, yielding over 100,000,000 THB in annual profit.

For starch factories and feed producers in cassava-growing regions, pelleting peels into animal feed represents a proven, profitable diversification strategy.

RICHI Machinery offers comprehensive solutions – from single pellet mills to complete feed production lines – backed by engineering expertise, regional support, and a commitment to quality.