1.5-2T/H Pet Food Extrusion Equipment in Norway

From the extruder table, the SPHS120x2 (90kW) pet food extrusion equipment was selected. Why this model?

• Capacity: 1.5-2.0 tons/hour – matches their cold-water feed volume
• Twin-screw design: Precise control over expansion parameters
• Dual conditioning: 11kW + 11kW for exact moisture and temperature control
• PLC control: Recipe storage for different species (koi, goldfish, cichlids)
• Quick die changes: 30 minutes for different pellet sizes

The manufacturer chose the 90kW version because cold-water fish feed is a specialized, lower-volume segment.

What He's Processing – Cold-Water Aquarium Fish Feed

Norway is known for aquaculture. The plant produces:

Koi feed (large pellets):

Protein: 35-38% (high for color enhancement)

Fat: 5-7% (low, cold-water fish need less fat)

Ingredients: Fish meal, krill meal (for color), wheat flour, spirulina

Pellet size: 6mm and 8mm

Goldfish feed (small pellets):

Protein: 32-35%

Fat: 4-6%

Ingredients: Fish meal, soybean meal, wheat flour, carotenoids

Pellet size: 3mm and 4.5mm

Cold-water cichlid feed (sinking pellets):

Protein: 40-45% (high-protein for carnivorous cichlids)

Fat: 6-8%

Ingredients: Fish meal, shrimp meal, wheat flour

Pellet size: 2mm and 3mm (sinking type)

Target floatation: >95% for koi and goldfish feed

Target water stability: 4-6 hours (cold water)

Target expansion ratio: 1.8-2.2x for floating, 1.2-1.5x for sinking

Installation – Precision Expansion Control

The SPHS120x2 arrived at the Port of Trondheim – central Norway's main port.

Shipping time from Qingdao to Trondheim is about 30-35 days. The machine was packed in a 20-foot container with:

• SPHS120x2 extruder main unit (90kW twin-screw)
• Dual conditioner (11kW + 11kW)
• Feeder (1.5kW)
• Die plates (2mm, 3mm, 4.5mm, 6mm, 8mm)
• Spare screw elements (one set)
• Enhanced PLC with recipe storage (15 recipes)
• Installation manual and electrical diagram in Norwegian

Customs clearance in Trondheim took about 3 days. Total landed cost was about 20% higher than the FOB price.

Installation took two weeks. The old single-screw extruder was removed. The new SPHS120x2 was positioned on a reinforced concrete foundation (250mm thick). The electrical hookup required 400V, 50Hz three-phase (Norwegian standard). The 90kW motor required a 200-amp breaker.

The first test run was with koi feed (6mm floating). The extruder ran at 1.7 tons/hour. Floatation rate: 98%. Expansion ratio: 2.0x. Water stability: 5 hours. Perfect.

Performance – Consistent Floatation

After six months of operation, the manufacturer documented the following results:

Before (single-screw extruder):

Capacity: 1.2 tons/hour

Floatation rate: 60-80% (inconsistent)

Expansion ratio variation: ±0.5x (unacceptable)

Water stability: 2-4 hours (variable)

Batch rejection rate: 12-15% (poor floatation)

Customer complaints: 3-4 per month

After (SPHS120x2 twin-screw):

Capacity: 1.8 tons/hour (50% increase)

Floatation rate: 95-98% (consistent)

Expansion ratio variation: ±0.1x (excellent)

Water stability: 4.5-5.5 hours (consistent)

Batch rejection rate: <2% (85% reduction)

Customer complaints: Zero in six months

Quality metrics:

• Koi feed: 98% floatation, 5-hour stability
• Goldfish feed: 96% floatation, 4.5-hour stability
• Cichlid feed: 99% sinking (no floatation), 6-hour stability
• Customer satisfaction: 4.9/5 stars

Customer Feedback – The Production Manager's Experience

Here's what the production manager said after six months (paraphrased from a conversation, translated from Norwegian):

"Cold-water fish feed is tricky. Koi need feed that floats for hours but doesn't disintegrate. Goldfish are messy eaters – they need feed that softens gradually. Our old extruder couldn't deliver consistency."

"The SPHS120x2 changed that. The twin-screw design gives us precise control over expansion. Our koi feed now floats at 98% – up from 70%. The water stability is 5 hours – consistent every batch."

"The PLC recipe storage is essential. We have 15 different formulas for different species and sizes. One touch and the extruder is set perfectly."

"Our customers have noticed the difference. Koi breeders in Japan and Germany are switching to our feed. We've doubled our export sales."

"Would I recommend this machine? Yes. For any cold-water fish feed manufacturer, twin-screw extrusion is the only way to get consistent expansion."

Why Twin-Screw for Cold-Water Fish Feed

Cold-water fish feed has unique requirements that twin-screw extruders meet better than single-screw:

Expansion control: Cold-water fish need feed that floats for 4-6 hours. Twin-screw extruders provide precise control over expansion ratio (±0.1x).

Water temperature variation: Feed that works at 15°C may sink at 5°C. Twin-screw extruders allow precise adjustment of pellet density.

Species-specific formulations: Koi, goldfish, and cichlids have different requirements. Twin-screw extruders handle diverse recipes without major reconfiguration.

Small batches: Specialty fish feed is produced in small batches (1-2 tons). Twin-screw extruders start up and shut down cleanly.

The Expansion Recipe Library

Floatation Testing Method

The manufacturer tests every batch:

1. Take 100 pellets from the discharge
2. Place in 15°C water (cold-water aquarium temperature)
3. Count floating pellets after 4 hours
4. Target: >95% floating for koi and goldfish

The SPHS120x2 pet food extrusion equipment in Norway consistently achieves 95-98% floatation.

Water Stability Testing

1. Place pellets in 15°C water
2. Gently stir every hour
3. Check disintegration
4. Target: Intact for 4-6 hours

The SPHS120x2 pet food extrusion equipment in Norway consistently achieves 4.5-5.5 hours.

Export Markets

• Japan (koi breeders) – high requirements for color enhancement
• Germany (koi and goldfish) – strict quality standards
• United Kingdom (cold-water aquarium hobbyists)
• United States (specialty koi market)

The consistent quality has opened new export markets.

Shipping – Qingdao to Trondheim

The SPHS120x2 shipped from Qingdao to Port of Trondheim, Norway.

Shipping time from Qingdao to Trondheim is about 30-35 days. The route goes through the South China Sea, past Singapore, across the Indian Ocean, through the Suez Canal, across the Mediterranean, and up the Atlantic to Norway.

The machine was packed in a 20-foot container. Customs clearance in Trondheim took about 3 days. Total landed cost was about 20% higher than the FOB price.

The truck transport from Trondheim to Trøndelag was about 50km – roughly 1 hour.

What the Manufacturer Learned – Lessons for Other Cold-Water Fish Feed Producers

1. Cold-water fish feed needs precise expansion control. ±0.1x variation is acceptable. ±0.5x is not.
2. Test floatation at actual water temperatures. Feed that floats at 20°C may sink at 10°C. The manufacturer tests at 15°C (typical cold-water aquarium temperature).
3. Different species need different formulations. Koi need high expansion (2.0-2.2x). Cichlids need sinking pellets (1.3-1.4x). One size does not fit all.
4. Export markets have different requirements. Japanese koi breeders want high krill content for color. German customers want consistent floatation.
5. Small batches require quick changeovers. 30-minute die changes and 60-minute recipe changes are essential for specialty production.

What RICHI Provided Beyond the Machine

• Norwegian documentation: The manual and electrical diagram were provided in Norwegian.
• Expansion control guidance: RICHI provided recommendations for different expansion ratios.
• PLC recipe programming: RICHI helped program the initial 15 recipes.
• Die selection guidance: RICHI recommended die sizes for different species.
• Spare parts kit: RICHI recommended a spare parts kit – screw elements, die plates, seals.
• Remote support: When the manufacturer had questions about expansion control, a RICHI technician walked them through it via video call.

Is Pet Food Extrusion Equipment Right for Your Operation?

For a specialty cold-water fish feed manufacturer, a twin-screw extruder with precise expansion control is essential.

Consider the SPHS120x2 (90kW) if:

• Your target capacity is 1.5-2.0 tons/hour
• You produce floating feed for koi, goldfish, or other cold-water species
• You need consistent expansion (95%+ floatation)
• You export to demanding markets (Japan, Germany)

Consider the larger SPHS120x2 (110kW) if:

• Your target capacity is 3.0-4.0 tons/hour
• You produce tropical fish feed as well

For the Norwegian cold-water fish feed manufacturer, the SPHS120x2 was the right investment. It increased floatation from 60-80% to 95-98%, reduced batch rejection by 85%, and opened new export markets.

Final Thoughts

If you're a specialty fish feed manufacturer producing for cold-water species, don't settle for inconsistent expansion. Cold-water fish need feed that floats for hours and softens gradually. Your customers – koi breeders, aquarium hobbyists – demand quality.

The SPHS120x2 pet food extrusion equipment delivers precise, repeatable expansion control. The twin-screw design handles diverse recipes. The PLC stores exact parameters for 15 species. The result is consistent floating feed that meets export standards.

For cold-water fish feed, the math is simple: precise expansion = consistent floatation = satisfied customers = export growth.

RICHI offers documentation in Norwegian, expansion control guidance, PLC recipe programming, and remote support. Contact RICHI Machinery through the website with your target species, expansion requirements, and capacity for a recommendation. Tell them about your cold-water fish feed application – they can help you select the right pet food extrusion equipment for precise expansion control.