Pet Food Pellet Continuous Belt Dryer in South Korea

Why a Single, High-Capacity Continuous Dryer Was Essential

For this contract manufacturer, production continuity and flawless consistency were the currencies of their business. Replacing two separate pieces of equipment (cooler and dryer) with one integrated pet food pellet continuous belt dryer eliminated a major process discontinuity. This multi-stage belt dryer was selected as a single unit because its design incorporated controlled cooling zones followed by precise drying zones in one seamless flow.

Investing in one sophisticated machine, rather than trying to patch together a system, minimized footprint, centralized control, and guaranteed the uniform treatment of every pellet—a non-negotiable requirement for their brand customers who demanded batch-to-batch perfection.

Material Process and the RICHI Engineering Solution

The material is freshly extruded pet food pellets (kibble) for dogs and cats, hot and moist (~28-30% moisture) as they exit the extruder. The pellets are a blend of ingredients typical for the Korean premium market: Pacific fish meal, chicken meal, sweet potato, and functional supplements like probiotics.

The drying intent is gentle, staged cooling and drying to achieve a stable, crispy kibble with a precise final moisture of 8-10% without nutrient degradation or structural damage.

After evaluating high-end Japanese and European drying systems, RICHI Machinery was chosen for offering a more customizable and energy-efficient solution at a competitive total cost of ownership. We proposed the RICHI QHG-2000 Steam Heating Multi-Layer Belt Dryer.

The engineering for this pet food pellet continuous belt dryer in South Korea was optimized for efficiency and quality:

• Model Installed: RICHI QHG-2000 Steam Heating Belt Dryer.
• Heating Form: Steam heating, chosen because the manufacturing plant already had an efficient central boiler generating steam for other processes. Utilizing this existing steam supply dramatically increased the system's thermal efficiency and reduced operating costs.
• Key Specifications: 5-layer belt design, 1.6-meter belt width, providing a substantial 58㎡ of processing area.
• Integrated Cooling and Drying Stages: The first two belts function as a controlled cooling section using ambient or dehumidified air to set the pellet structure and prevent cracking. The subsequent three belts are steam-heated drying zones with independent temperature and humidity control, allowing for a perfectly tailored drying curve.
• Gentle Handling and High Hygiene: The system uses a unique transfer system between belts to minimize pellet drop and breakage. It is constructed with full stainless steel interior and features automated belt cleaning devices, which is crucial for meeting the stringent hygiene standards expected by South Korean food manufacturers.

This continuous belt drying system is the ideal solution for extruded pellets. The product moves continuously on a slow, stable belt, allowing for long, gentle residence times in a controlled environment. This results in perfectly finished kibble from this pet food drying line.

Producing Superior Kibble for the Discerning Korean Market

The processed output from this continuous dryer is ready-to-pack premium kibble:

1. Private Label Premium Dry Pet Food: The consistently dried, crisp, and intact kibble is packaged for various South Korean pet food brands sold in high-end pet stores, veterinary clinics, and online platforms. The uniform texture and precise moisture level are critical for consumer perception and shelf-life stability.
2. Enhanced Operational Efficiency and Capacity: The continuous process eliminated the bottleneck, increasing overall line capacity by over 40%. The reuse of plant steam drastically lowered per-ton drying energy costs, improving their margin on contract manufacturing.
3. Winning and Retaining Major Contracts: The ability to guarantee consistent quality and handle larger order volumes enabled the manufacturer to secure long-term contracts with major pet retail chains, solidifying their market position.

This case demonstrates how RICHI's advanced belt drying technology is integral to modern, high-throughput pet food manufacturing where efficiency, quality control, and hygiene are paramount.

Why RICHI's QHG-2000 Was the Optimal Choice

The South Korean client selected RICHI belt dryer based on a detailed technical and economic analysis:

• Superior Energy Integration (Steam Utilization): Our ability to design a highly efficient steam-heated belt dryer that seamlessly integrated with their existing boiler plant was a decisive operational cost advantage that European electric-based systems could not match.
• Customized Process Design (Cooling + Drying): RICHI engineers worked with them to design the specific zone layout (cooling vs. drying belt allocation) that perfectly matched their extrudate formula and desired kibble characteristics, demonstrating true application expertise.
• Focus on Product Integrity (Low Breakage): The gentle transfer mechanisms and even air distribution design specifically targeted the reduction of kibble breakage, a key quality metric for their clients.
• Compliance with Korean Standards and Support: We provided all necessary documentation for Korean electrical and pressure vessel standards (KCs), and established a service agreement with a local technical partner for rapid response.

Logistics: Direct Shipment to a Major Korean Port

The large pet food pellet continuous belt dryer was manufactured in modules, pre-tested, and shipped in multiple containers from Qingdao Port. Given the destination in the Seoul area, the shipment arrived at the Port of Incheon, South Korea's largest and most advanced port, with excellent connections to the industrial hinterland.

Client Testimonial from the Seoul Metropolitan Area, South Korea

"As a contract manufacturer, our reputation is built on consistency and reliability. Our old drying stage was our weakest link. The RICHI pet food pellet continuous belt dryer has transformed our production. The kibble quality is now incredibly uniform, breakage is down, and using our existing steam has cut energy costs significantly.

It was a major investment, but it has already helped us secure two new large contracts. RICHI's team showed deep understanding of our process needs. For any serious pet food producer in Asia looking to move to continuous, high-quality drying, this continuous belt dryer is a game-changer." – Technical Director, Private Label Pet Food Manufacturer, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.

RICHI Machinery: Engineering the Future of Pet Food Processing

This project underscores RICHI's capability to deliver not just dryers, but optimized process solutions that integrate into modern manufacturing ecosystems, driving efficiency, quality, and profitability in sophisticated markets like South Korea.

Contact RICHI Machinery to discuss how our continuous belt drying systems can optimize your post-extrusion process and elevate your pet food product quality.