This is a project about drum grinders in Portugal. The company, which processes cork oak bark into various cork products, generated substantial amounts of cork scraps and trimmings that were previously considered unusable.
This is a project about drum grinders in Portugal. In Portugal's Alentejo region, the world's leading cork-producing area, a progressive cork manufacturing company faced a significant challenge with their production waste. The company, which processes cork oak bark into various cork products, generated substantial amounts of cork scraps and trimmings that were previously considered unusable.
With cork oak forests protected by strict environmental regulations and the raw material becoming increasingly valuable, the management recognized the urgent need to maximize utilization of every piece of cork. Their existing processing methods couldn't effectively handle the irregular cork pieces, leading to substantial material waste.
After exploring various solutions, they decided to invest in a specialized drum grinder from RICHI Machinery, viewing it as the key to transforming their waste into valuable secondary products and achieving their sustainability goals.
Name:
drum wood chipper
Country:
Portugal
Date:
2025
Capacity:
3-4 cubic meters per hour
Model:
XPJ680x300
Main Motor Power:
90 KW
Feed Motor Power:
4+3 KW
Flying Knives:
2
The client operates a medium-scale cork processing facility that has been family-run for decades, specializing in producing cork stoppers, flooring tiles, and insulation materials. Their operation involves harvesting cork bark from sustainable plantations every nine years, in accordance with Portuguese environmental laws.
The decision to purchase a single drum wood chipper was driven by both economic and environmental factors. They needed a machine that could process their cork waste—ranging from small trimmings to larger bark pieces—into consistent particles suitable for manufacturing cork agglomerates. This drum grinder machine would serve as the crucial link between their primary processing operations and their new value-added product line, allowing them to utilize 100% of their precious cork material.
After thorough analysis of the client's unique material requirements and production capacity needs, RICHI engineers recommended the XPJ680x300 drum chipper model. This specific drum grinder was selected for its ability to handle cork's unique cellular structure and varying densities while maintaining precise particle size control. The technical specifications made it ideal for this specialized application:
| Specification | Parameter |
|---|---|
| Inlet Size | 680*300 mm |
| Feed Material Size | φ300 mm |
| Feed Motor Power | 4+3 KW |
| Main Motor Power | 90 KW |
| Hydraulic Pump Power | 1.1 KW |
| Discharge Belt Power | 1.5 KW |
| Flying Knives | 2 |
| Fixed Knives | 1 |
The optimized power configuration of this drum grinding machine provides sufficient torque for processing cork's springy, resilient structure without damaging the delicate cellular composition that gives cork its unique properties.
The hydraulic feeding system ensures smooth, consistent processing of irregular cork pieces, while the precision-balanced rotor maintains stable operation essential for producing uniform particles. This drum chipper equipment processes approximately 3-4 cubic meters of cork waste per hour into perfectly sized particles for agglomerate production.
Portugal dominates the global cork industry, producing approximately 50% of the world's cork output, with the Alentejo region serving as the heart of cork oak cultivation. The client's operation generates various types of cork waste that the drum grinder processes effectively:
The drum grinder in Portugal transforms these diverse cork materials into uniform 15-25mm particles that serve multiple applications within Portugal's sophisticated cork products market. The highest quality particles are used to manufacture agglomerated cork stoppers for wine bottles, while medium-grade materials become insulation boards for construction.
The remaining output is processed into cork granules for sports surfaces and automotive gaskets. This comprehensive utilization approach has transformed their waste management challenge into a profitable multi-stream business model that complements their core cork operations.
The complete drum grinder system was manufactured at RICHI's advanced production facility and prepared for international shipment from Qingdao Port. The chipper crusher machine was carefully disassembled into modular components and securely packed in a 20-foot container optimized for heavy machinery transport.
The shipping route carried the machine through the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean Sea, then through the Strait of Gibraltar to the Port of Sines, Portugal's largest port and main industrial gateway. RICHI's logistics specialists managed all documentation requirements, including CE certification and Portuguese import regulations, ensuring efficient customs clearance and timely delivery to the client's facility in the Alentejo region.
The drum grinder in Portugal incorporates several advanced engineering features that make it particularly effective for processing unique materials like cork. The machine's construction begins with high-strength steel plates welded into a rigid frame that maintains structural integrity while processing cork's variable densities.
The cutting system uses specially designed bolts and pressure mechanisms that securely fasten the flying knives to the rotor, preventing blade displacement even when processing springy, resilient cork materials. Both flying and fixed knives are crafted from 6GrW2Si tool steel that undergoes specialized heat treatment, providing the perfect balance of hardness and toughness needed for cork's abrasive yet flexible nature.
The rotor assembly undergoes meticulous dynamic balancing testing to ensure perfect concentricity, resulting in vibration-free operation that's essential for producing consistent particle sizes. The hydraulic feeding system automatically adjusts feed roller pressure based on material resistance, ensuring smooth processing of irregular cork pieces while preventing jams or blockages.
These technical innovations combine to create a drum grinding equipment that delivers reliable performance, precise particle control, and minimal maintenance requirements even when processing challenging materials like cork.
The installation of the drum grinder in Portugal has revolutionized the client's operational efficiency and environmental performance. Previously, they were losing approximately 15% of their valuable cork raw material as waste, representing significant economic loss and environmental impact.
Now, they've achieved near-total material utilization, creating new revenue streams from what was previously waste. The reliability of the drum grinder machine has allowed them to establish consistent production of agglomerated cork products, expanding their market reach and customer base.
Most impressively, they've reduced their environmental footprint by minimizing waste sent to landfills while maximizing the value extracted from each cork oak harvest, aligning with Portugal's strong sustainability initiatives in the cork industry.
"In the cork business, we've always known that waste is just raw material in the wrong place," explained the client's production director. "The RICHI drum grinder has given us the tool we needed to prove this philosophy. The machine handles our diverse cork materials with remarkable consistency, producing perfect particles for our agglomerate lines.
What truly impressed us was how well RICHI engineers understood our specific needs—they didn't try to sell us a standard wood chipper but recommended a machine perfectly configured for cork's unique characteristics.
The support during installation and commissioning was exceptional, with their technical team available around the clock to ensure we achieved optimal performance from day one. This drum chipper hasn't just solved our waste problem—it's opened up new business opportunities we hadn't even considered previously."
RICHI Machinery's commitment to client success extends beyond equipment delivery to comprehensive application support. For this Portuguese cork project, our integrated service package included detailed material testing and analysis to ensure the drum grinder was perfectly calibrated for cork's specific density and structural properties.
We provided customized installation planning that accounted for the client's existing production layout and material flow requirements. Our operator training program was tailored to cork processing specifics, emphasizing the unique characteristics of working with this specialized material.
We maintain dedicated technical support channels and strategic spare parts inventories for international clients, ensuring rapid response capability when needed. This holistic approach ensures that clients working with specialized materials receive not just high-quality drum grinding equipment but the comprehensive technical partnership needed to maximize their operational success.
The successful implementation of the drum grinder in Portugal demonstrates how innovative technology can transform traditional industries while advancing sustainability goals. For this cork processor, the RICHI XPJ680x300 has become more than just processing equipment—it's the engine of their circular economy strategy, enabling complete material utilization and creating new value from what was previously waste.
As Portugal and other Mediterranean nations continue to emphasize sustainable resource management and circular economy principles, solutions like the RICHI drum grinder will play an increasingly vital role in modernizing traditional industries.
If your operation deals with specialized materials that require precise particle size control and efficient processing, contact RICHI Machinery today to discover how our drum grinding solutions can deliver similar transformative results for your business
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