This is a project about a cassava pellets production machine in Cambodia. A large cassava processing plant in Kampong Cham province, Cambodia, was producing 50,000 tons of cassava chips annually for export to Thailand and Vietnam for animal feed manufacturing. The plant owner realized he could capture more value by processing the cassava into pellets himself. Pellets are easier to handle, store, and transport than chips.
A large cassava processing plant in Kampong Cham province, Cambodia, was producing 50,000 tons of cassava chips annually for export to Thailand and Vietnam for animal feed manufacturing. The plant owner realized he could capture more value by processing the cassava into pellets himself. Pellets are easier to handle, store, and transport than chips.
They also command a higher price in the export market (5-10% premium). The challenge was scale – he needed a high-capacity pellet mill that could produce 10-12 tons per hour of durable cassava pellets for export. He invested in a cassava pellets production machine.
The plant manager explained the situation: "We were selling chips for 3,000 KHR/kg (€0.68/kg). Pellets sell for 3,300 KHR/kg – a 10% premium. Plus, pellets are easier to ship. They flow better in containers. They store longer. We needed a big machine."
The plant had a 5,000m² facility with 3-phase power. They already had dryers, hammer mills, and storage silos. They needed a high-capacity pellet mill.
Name:
cassava pellets machine
Country:
Cambodia
Date:
2026
Capacity:
10-12 tons/hour
Model:
SZLH420
Main Motor Power:
110kW
Raw Materials:
Cassava roots
Pellet diameter:
8mm
From the pellet mill table, the SZLH420 (110kW) was selected. Why this model?
The plant manager chose the SZLH420 to enter the cassava pellet export market.
Cambodia is a major cassava producer. The plant processes:
Pellet specifications for export:
End users: Feed mills in Thailand, Vietnam, and China using cassava pellets as an energy source in animal feed formulations (replacing corn)
The SZLH420 arrived at the Port of Phnom Penh – Cambodia's main port on the Mekong River.
Shipping time from Qingdao to Phnom Penh is about 10-12 days. The machine was packed in a 40-foot container with:
Customs clearance in Phnom Penh took about 5 days. Total landed cost was about 22% higher than the FOB price.
Installation took three weeks. The plant had an existing building – they poured a 300mm reinforced concrete foundation for the SZLH420. The electrical hookup required 380V, 50Hz three-phase (Cambodian standard). The 110kW motor required a 250-amp breaker.
The first test run was with dried cassava meal (13% moisture, 2.5mm particle size). The conditioner added steam to reach 75°C, 16% moisture. The pellet mill ran smoothly at 11.5 tons/hour. Pellet durability (PDI) was 94% – excellent for export.
After six months of operation, the plant manager documented the following results:
Before (selling cassava chips):
After (selling cassava pellets with SZLH420):
Production output:
Quality metrics:
The machine cost delivered approximately $65,000 USD (about €60,000). Payback period was about 2-3 months based on additional revenue alone.
Here's what the plant manager said after six months (paraphrased from a conversation, translated from Khmer):
"Chips are okay, but pellets are better. They flow better in containers. They store longer. Our customers in Thailand and Vietnam are willing to pay a 10% premium.
The SZLH420 runs at 11.5 tons per hour. That's enough for our volume. The conditioner at 75°C gelatinizes the starch, so the pellets hold together. PDI is 94% – they survive ocean freight.
Our customers have noticed the quality. No complaints. We've already signed two new export contracts.
Would I recommend this machine? Yes. For any large cassava processor, pelletizing is the way to capture more value."
Pellets offer several advantages over chips for export:
The SZLH420 cassava pellets production machine's 7.5kW conditioner adds steam before pelleting:
Gelatinized cassava starch acts as a natural binder, creating durable pellets without artificial additives.
For export animal feed pellets, 8mm is the industry standard:
Compression ratio: 1:10 (80mm die thickness for 8mm holes)
The plant tests pellet durability (PDI) every shift:
High durability ensures pellets survive:
The plant exports to:
Pellets are shipped in:
The plant sources cassava from 2,000+ smallholder farmers:
The pellet plant supports local livelihoods.
Every batch is tested for:
Customers receive a certificate of analysis with each shipment.
The SZLH420 cassava pellets production machine shipped from Qingdao to Port of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Shipping time from Qingdao to Phnom Penh is about 10-12 days. The route goes through the South China Sea and up the Mekong River.
The machine was packed in a 40-foot container. Customs clearance in Phnom Penh took about 5 days. Total landed cost was about 22% higher than the FOB price.
The truck transport from Phnom Penh to Kampong Cham was about 120km – roughly 2 hours.
After six months of running the SZLH420, the plant manager shared several observations:
RICHI provided several services that helped the plant manager get the SZLH420 operational:
For a large cassava processor exporting animal feed, a high-capacity pellet mill is essential for capturing value.
For the Cambodian cassava processor, the SZLH420 was the right investment. It captured a 10% premium over chips, increased annual revenue by $3.2 million, and paid for itself in three months.
If you're a large cassava processor selling chips for export, consider pelletizing. Pellets are easier to handle, store, and ship. They command a premium price. The payback can be measured in months, not years.
The SZLH420 cassava pellets production machine produces 11.5 tons per hour of durable 8mm pellets. The conditioner gelatinizes cassava starch for natural binding. The result is export-grade pellets (94% PDI) that survive ocean freight and satisfy buyers.
For cassava processors, the math is simple: pelletize = 10% premium = higher revenue = faster payback.
RICHI offers documentation in English, export pellet guidance, conditioning advice, and remote support. Contact RICHI Machinery through the website with your cassava volume, export markets, and capacity for a recommendation. Tell them about your export operation – they can help you select the right cassava pellets production machine to capture the premium pellet market.
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