This is a project regarding a shrimp pellet machine in Ecuador. A large shrimp feed mill in Guayaquil, Ecuador, was producing 50,000 tons of shrimp feed annually for export to Peru, Colombia, and Honduras.
This is a project regarding a shrimp pellet machine in Ecuador. A large shrimp feed mill in Guayaquil, Ecuador, was producing 50,000 tons of shrimp feed annually for export to Peru, Colombia, and Honduras. Ecuador is the world's largest shrimp exporter, and the feed mill supplied both domestic farms and export markets. The challenge was pellet durability.
Export pellets had to survive ocean freight in shipping containers – 2-3 weeks of vibration, temperature changes, and stacking pressure. Their existing pellet mill produced pellets with 88-90% durability (PDI). Export customers were complaining about fines (10-12% dust) in every container. The feed mill manager decided to invest in a specialized shrimp pellet machine with a triple-conditioning system to increase durability to 95%+.
The feed mill manager explained the situation: "Export pellets need to be tough. They travel by sea for weeks. Our old pellets arrived with 10% fines – dust that the shrimp couldn't eat. We needed a pellet machine that could produce 95%+ PDI."
The feed mill had a 10,000m² facility with multiple production lines. They decided to add a new shrimp feed production line with the most advanced pelleting technology.
Name:
shrimp feed pelleting machine
Country:
Ecuador
Date:
2025
Capacity:
2.2 tons/hour
Model:
SZLH420
Main Motor Power:
110kW
Annual output:
9,300 tons
Pellet diameter:
1.8-2.5mm
From the feed pellet mill table, the SZLH420 (110kW) was selected. Why this model?
The feed mill manager chose the SZLH420 shrimp pellet machine with the triple-conditioning system – the most advanced configuration for export-grade shrimp feed.
Ecuador is a major shrimp producer. The feed mill uses high-quality ingredients:
Pellet sizes for export:
Target water stability: 3+ hours (for ocean freight + farm storage)
Target pellet durability (PDI): 95%+ (to survive shipping)
Target protein: 38-40%
Target fat: 6-8%
The SZLH420 arrived at the Port of Guayaquil – Ecuador's largest port.
Shipping time from Qingdao to Guayaquil is about 35-40 days. The shrimp pellet machine was packed in a 40-foot container with:
Customs clearance in Guayaquil took about 5 days. Total landed cost was about 22% higher than the FOB price.
Installation took four weeks. The feed mill had an existing building – they poured a 300mm reinforced concrete foundation for the SZLH420. The electrical hookup required 440V, 60Hz three-phase (Ecuador uses 60Hz). RICHI provided a 60Hz-compatible motor. The 110kW motor required a 250-amp breaker.
The first test run was with adult shrimp formula (2.5mm die). The triple conditioner added steam in three stages:
The shrimp pellet machine in Ecuador ran smoothly at 2.2 tons/hour. Pellet durability (PDI) tested at 96% – excellent for export. Water stability: 3.5 hours.
After six months of operation, the feed mill manager documented the following results:
Before (old pellet mill – single conditioning):
After (SZLH420 with triple conditioning):
Production output:
Economic impact:
Here's what the feed mill manager said after six months (paraphrased from a conversation, translated from Spanish):
"Export pellets need to be tough. Our old pellets arrived with 10% dust. Customers complained. We were losing business.
The SZLH420 with triple conditioning changed everything. Three stages of steam – 65°C, 80°C, then 88°C. The starch is fully gelatinized. The pellets are hard – 96% PDI.
Our export customers have noticed. No more dust in the containers. Water stability is 3.5 hours. They're buying more.
Would I recommend this machine? Yes. For any shrimp feed mill exporting product, triple conditioning is essential."
Export shrimp feed requires exceptional durability. The triple-conditioning system provides:
Stage 1 (65°C, 16% moisture): Initial hydration – softens particles
Stage 2 (80°C, 18% moisture): Starch gelatinization begins – binding action
Stage 3 (88°C, 19% moisture): Complete gelatinization – maximum binding
The result is pellets with 95-96% PDI that survive ocean freight.
| PDI Rating | Fines in Container | Customer Acceptance |
|---|---|---|
| <90% | 10%+ | Unacceptable |
| 90-93% | 7-10% | Marginal |
| 93-95% | 5-7% | Acceptable |
| 95%+ | <5% | Excellent |
The SZLH420 shrimp pellet machine in Ecuador consistently achieves 95-96% PDI.
Export pellets must also be water-stable:
Before (single conditioning): 1.5 hours water stability
After (triple conditioning): 3.5 hours water stability
Longer water stability means less waste in shrimp ponds.
| Shrimp Stage | Pellet Size | Die Thickness | Production % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juvenile (PL20-PL40) | 1.8mm | 15mm | 30% |
| Sub-adult (PL40+) | 2.2mm | 20mm | 40% |
| Adult (market size) | 2.5mm | 25mm | 30% |
Compression ratio: 1:10 for all.
The SZLH420 shrimp feed pellet machine's pellets consistently test at 94-95% PDI after ocean freight.
Premium ingredients + triple conditioning = premium export pellets.
All customers have reported satisfaction with pellet quality.
The SZLH420 shipped from Qingdao to Port of Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Shipping time from Qingdao to Guayaquil is about 35-40 days. The route goes through the South China Sea, past Singapore, across the Indian Ocean, around the Cape of Good Hope, across the Atlantic, through the Panama Canal, and down the Pacific coast of South America.
The machine was packed in a 40-foot container. Customs clearance in Guayaquil took about 5 days. Total landed cost was about 22% higher than the FOB price.
The truck transport from Guayaquil to the feed mill was short – about 15km, roughly 30 minutes.
Consider the SZLH420 if:
Consider a smaller model (SZLH350) if:
For the Ecuadorian feed mill, the SZLH420 was the right investment. It achieved 96% PDI, eliminated export complaints, and paid for itself in four months.
If you're a shrimp feed mill exporting product, don't settle for 88-90% PDI. Export pellets need to survive ocean freight – 2-3 weeks of vibration, temperature changes, and stacking pressure. The triple-conditioning system is the only way to achieve 95%+ PDI.
The SZLH420 shrimp pellet machine with triple conditioning produces export-grade pellets with 96% PDI and 3.5-hour water stability. The three stages of steam (65°C → 80°C → 88°C) fully gelatinize the starch. The result is durable pellets that arrive at customer facilities intact – no dust, no complaints.
For shrimp feed exporters, the math is simple: triple conditioning = high PDI = happy customers = repeat business.
RICHI offers documentation in Spanish, 60Hz motors, triple conditioning training, and remote support. Contact RICHI Machinery through the website with your export volume, target markets, and durability requirements for a recommendation. Tell them about your export application – they can help you select the right shrimp pellet machine for ocean freight durability.
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