This is a project regarding a dog food extruder in New Zealand. A pet food manufacturer in Canterbury, New Zealand, was developing a super-premium dog food line featuring locally sourced functional ingredients: green-lipped mussel (for joint health), kiwifruit (for digestive enzymes), and manuka honey (for antibacterial properties).
A pet food manufacturer in Canterbury, New Zealand, was developing a super-premium dog food line featuring locally sourced functional ingredients: green-lipped mussel (for joint health), kiwifruit (for digestive enzymes), and manuka honey (for antibacterial properties).
The challenge was extrusion. These functional ingredients are heat-sensitive – high temperatures would degrade their beneficial properties. The manufacturer needed a dog food extruder that could operate at lower temperatures while still producing high-quality kibble.
The production manager (let's call him David) explained the situation: "New Zealand has unique ingredients that dogs love. But they're delicate. Manuka honey loses its antibacterial activity above 80°C. Green-lipped mussel oil oxidizes quickly. We needed an extruder that could cook at lower temperatures without compromising kibble quality."
The company was already producing standard dog food on older equipment. They wanted to add a super-premium line at 2-3 tons/hour. They had a facility in Christchurch with 3-phase power.
Name:
Dog Food Extruder
Country:
New Zealand
Date:
2026
Capacity:
3.0-4.0 tons/hour
Model:
SPHS120x2
Main Motor Power:
110kW
extruder type:
Twin Screw
Pellet diameter:
8-12mm
From the extruder table, the SPHS120x2 dog food extruder was selected. Why this model?
David chose the 110kW version for its ability to run at lower temperatures (80-90°C vs 100-120°C for single-screw machines).
New Zealand has unique agricultural products. David's super-premium line uses:
The kibble sizes:
Target extrusion temperature: 80-85°C (to preserve manuka honey activity)
Target protein: 30-32%
Target fat: 14-16%
The SPHS120x2 dog food extruder arrived at the Port of Lyttelton – Christchurch's main port.
Shipping time from Qingdao to Lyttelton is about 20-25 days. The machine was packed in a 20-foot container with:
Customs clearance in Lyttelton took about 3 days. Total landed cost was about 20% higher than the FOB price.
Installation took two weeks. David's team prepared a concrete foundation – the SPHS120x2 weighs about 3.5 tons. The electrical hookup required 400V, 50Hz three-phase (New Zealand standard). The 110kW motor required a 250-amp breaker.
The first test run was with a lamb and kumara recipe containing green-lipped mussel and manuka honey, using a 10mm die. The extruder was set to 82°C. The kibble had excellent expansion, uniform color, and retained the manuka honey's antibacterial properties (lab tested).
After six months of operation, David documented the following results:
Before (old single-screw extruder – couldn't run low temperature):
After (SPHS120x2 twin-screw – low-temperature capability):
Production output:
Quality metrics:
The machine cost delivered approximately NZD 320,000 (about €180,000). Payback period was projected at 14-16 months based on premium pricing.
Here's what David said after six months (paraphrased from a conversation):
"New Zealand has amazing ingredients that dogs love. But we were destroying them with high heat. Our old extruder couldn't run below 110°C. The manuka honey was losing its punch.
The SPHS120x2 dog food extruder changed that. We now run at 82°C – low enough to preserve the functional ingredients, hot enough to cook the kibble properly. Lab tests show 85% of the manuka honey activity remains.
The twin-screw design gives us much better temperature control. The dual conditioning system lets us add steam gradually. The low-shear screw elements are gentle on the green-lipped mussel and kiwifruit.
Our customers can tell the difference. Dogs with arthritis are moving better. The reviews are pouring in.
Would I recommend this machine? Yes. For any super-premium pet food manufacturer, low-temperature extrusion is essential. The SPHS120x2 delivers."
Functional ingredients are heat-sensitive. Here's why low-temperature extrusion matters:
Twin-screw extruders offer significant advantages for low-temperature processing:
| Extrusion Temperature | Manuka Honey Activity Retained | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 70°C | 95% | but insufficient cooking |
| 80°C | 88% | acceptable |
| 82°C | 85% | optimal balance |
| 90°C | 65% | too high |
| 100°C | 45% | unacceptable |
| 110°C | 30% | single-screw typical |
82°C proved to be the optimal balance between functional ingredient preservation and kibble quality.
New Zealand's unique agricultural products give David's brand a competitive edge:
These ingredients are traceable to specific regions and farms.
David's brand highlights the functional ingredients:
Customers pay a premium (NZD $12/kg vs $6/kg for standard) because they see the value.
The SPHS120x2 dog food extruder shipped from Qingdao to Port of Lyttelton, New Zealand.
Shipping time from Qingdao to Lyttelton is about 20-25 days. The route goes through the South China Sea, past Australia, and across the Tasman Sea.
The machine was packed in a 20-foot container. Customs clearance in Lyttelton took about 3 days. Total landed cost was about 20% higher than the FOB price.
The truck transport from Lyttelton to Christchurch was about 15km – roughly 20 minutes.
For a super-premium pet food manufacturer using functional ingredients, a twin-screw extruder with low-temperature capability is essential.
Consider the SPHS120x2 (110kW) dog food extruder if:
Consider the smaller SPHS75x2 (55kW) if:
For David's super-premium pet food plant, the SPHS120x2 was the right investment. It preserved manuka honey activity (85% retained), enabled the use of green-lipped mussel and kiwifruit, and positioned his brand as a leader in functional pet nutrition.
If you're a super-premium pet food manufacturer using functional ingredients, don't destroy them with high heat. Low-temperature extrusion preserves the bioactive compounds that make your product special.
The SPHS120x2 dog food extruder runs at 80-85°C – low enough to preserve manuka honey, green-lipped mussel oil, and kiwifruit enzymes. The twin-screw design provides precise temperature control. The low-shear screw elements are gentle on delicate ingredients. The result is functional kibble that delivers real health benefits.
For super-premium pet food, the math is simple: low-temperature extrusion = preserved functionality = higher value = loyal customers.
RICHI offers documentation in English, low-temperature guidance, low-shear screw design, and remote support. Contact RICHI Machinery through the website with your functional ingredients, target temperature, and capacity for a recommendation. Tell them about your super-premium application – they can help you select the right dog food extruder to preserve your functional ingredients.
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