1.5–2.0 T/H Tilapia Feed Extruder Machine in Côte d’Ivoire

The project focused on producing approximately 2–4 mm extruded pellets for juvenile and intermediate-stage tilapia, with the possibility of developing 4–6 mm products for larger fish after production trials. The planned formulations used locally procurable cereal ingredients alongside soybean meal, selected protein ingredients, vegetable oil, and a vitamin-mineral premix.

The new machine would work with suitable existing equipment, while drying and cooling capacity would be checked before the target production rate was finalized. For the customer, the purpose of the investment was straightforward: add an important processing capability, improve product differentiation, and build a broader aquafeed portfolio without duplicating equipment that could still be used.

A Different Feed Product for a Growing Aquaculture Market

Côte d’Ivoire has a commercial aquaculture sector that includes freshwater fish farming, with Nile tilapia among the relevant cultured species. Fish farms vary considerably in their production methods, stocking densities, feed purchasing arrangements, and ability to manage feed costs. Some operate at a relatively modest scale, while others require more regular deliveries of compound feed and more consistent product specifications.

For a regional feed manufacturer, serving these customers means balancing nutritional requirements with practical production economics. A formulation that works on paper still needs to pass through the factory consistently, form acceptable pellets, and remain suitable for storage, transportation, and feeding. The required pellet size and physical properties also change with fish growth stage and farm management practices.

The customer in this project was a commercial aquafeed supplier that had already established a basic feed-processing operation. Its conventional feed products provided a starting point, but some customers were asking about extruded tilapia feed and the potential benefits of a more controlled pellet structure. The manufacturer therefore decided to add an extruder as a separate investment rather than replace the existing facility.

This was not a greenfield feed mill project. The customer wanted to retain suitable upstream equipment and concentrate the initial investment on the processing stage it did not yet have. That decision also made it possible to introduce the new product range in stages: begin with a limited number of recipes, evaluate pellet quality, collect feedback from fish farmers, and expand production only when demand and operating performance supported the next step.

RICHI SPHS120×2 Twin-Screw Wet Extruder

The selected model was the RICHI SPHS120×2 twin-screw wet type fish feed extruder machine, with a listed production capacity of 1.5–2.0 T/H. This capacity was chosen for a commercial manufacturer seeking more than a small pilot output but not yet requiring a large industrial extrusion system. The machine is intended to process conditioned feed mixtures through a twin-screw extrusion system, where moisture, heat, mechanical energy, and the die configuration influence the structure and shape of the finished pellets.

Wet extrusion was selected because the customer wanted to develop a dedicated extruded tilapia feed range and retain flexibility when working with different formulations. A twin-screw extruder can provide controlled material conveying and mixing through the processing section, although actual results depend on the ingredients, operating settings, die, and product specifications. The machine's nominal capacity should therefore be treated as a planning reference rather than a guarantee for every feed recipe.

The principal equipment specifications for this project are as follows:

• Machine model: SPHS120×2
• Extrusion method: Twin-screw wet extrusion
• Main motor power: 90 kW
• Screw diameter: 120 mm
• Feeder motor power: 1.5 kW
• Conditioner power: 11 kW
• Conditioner specification: DC500-244
• Differential conditioner power: 11 kW
• Differential conditioner specification: DC500×400-300
• Listed production capacity: 1.5–2.0 T/H
• Primary product: Extruded Nile tilapia feed
• Initial target pellet sizes: Approximately 2–4 mm, with 4–6 mm considered for larger fish after trials

Before confirming a configuration, the equipment selection needs to be considered alongside the factory's electrical supply, available floor space, feed preparation capacity, and downstream drying and cooling arrangements. A production target of 1.5–2.0 T/H is only practical when the upstream and downstream stages can supply and handle material at a compatible rate. The final operating output must be established with the intended formulation and pellet specifications.

Raw Materials and Formulation Planning for Tilapia Feed

The proposed feed range was designed around a mixture of energy sources, plant proteins, selected animal protein ingredients, oils, and micronutrient supplements. Maize is a practical ingredient to consider in West African feed manufacturing because it can provide starch and energy when procured at a suitable quality and cost. Wheat or another suitable cereal ingredient may also be used where commercially available, depending on its price and processing properties.

Soybean meal was included in the preliminary formulation concept as a major plant protein source. Depending on availability and nutritional evaluation, other suitable protein ingredients may be considered, but substitutions should not be made simply because two materials have similar crude protein values. Digestibility, amino acid balance, fiber, anti-nutritional factors, and processing behavior can differ significantly.

For initial project planning, an illustrative formulation could contain 28% maize, 20% soybean meal, 12% wheat or another suitable cereal ingredient, 10% fishmeal, 10% groundnut meal of suitable quality, 8% wheat bran, 5% vegetable oil, 4% vitamin-mineral premix, and 3% other approved functional ingredients. The proportions total 100%. This is an example for discussing ingredient handling and process requirements, not a nutritionally validated commercial recipe.

Before production, a qualified aquafeed nutritionist would need to check the formulation against the fish's growth stage, digestible energy requirements, protein and amino acid targets, lipid level, mineral supply, and ingredient quality. Groundnut meal, for example, must be assessed for aflatoxin risk and other quality factors before inclusion. Fishmeal quality and the condition of stored cereal ingredients also influence the reliability of the final feed.

The manufacturer intended to keep the initial product range manageable rather than run many recipes immediately. This would allow the production team to establish consistent grinding, weighing, mixing, conditioning, and extrusion practices. It would also make it easier to identify whether changes in pellet quality came from the formulation, moisture control, or extrusion settings.

Pellet Size and Product Requirements for Different Tilapia Stages

The initial target was to produce approximately 2–4 mm pellets for juvenile and intermediate-stage tilapia, with a larger 4–6 mm product considered for larger fish. These are preliminary product ranges, not universal size requirements. The correct pellet diameter depends on fish size, mouth opening, feeding behavior, stocking conditions, and the farmer's feeding method.

Very small fry may require specialized starter feed or micro-pellets smaller than the main product range. The manufacturer would therefore need to confirm the intended customer segment before deciding whether the new machine should focus on grow-out feed, starter feed, or a combination of products.

Extruded pellets can be produced with different physical characteristics depending on formulation and operating conditions. Some tilapia farmers may prefer sinking pellets, while others may evaluate floating or slow-sinking feed for their particular feeding system. The extrusion machine alone does not guarantee buoyancy. Pellet density and water behavior depend on the ingredient matrix, moisture, processing conditions, die configuration, and subsequent drying.

Water stability also matters. Pellets that break down too quickly can increase feed losses and complicate water-quality management, while pellets that are excessively hard or poorly sized may not be suitable for the fish. The manufacturer would need to evaluate pellet durability, moisture, density, and water stability during trials before setting the final commercial product specification.

How the New Extruder Integrates with the Existing Feed Mill

Because the customer purchased a single fish feed machine, the project plan centered on integrating the extruder into the existing manufacturing process. Raw materials would continue to be cleaned, ground, weighed, and mixed using suitable existing equipment. The prepared mixture would then be supplied to the new wet extrusion stage, where the conditioning system prepares the feed mixture for processing through the twin screws and die.

After extrusion, a cutter would produce pellets of the intended length. The hot pellets would then require suitable drying and cooling before screening, storage, and packing. The customer would assess whether its current finishing equipment could accommodate the new product's moisture, temperature, and throughput requirements. If the existing dryer or cooler were undersized, that limitation would need to be addressed rather than assuming the extruder could operate continuously at its nominal maximum output.

The practical production sequence would include raw-material preparation, batch weighing and mixing, wet conditioning, extrusion and cutting, drying, cooling, screening, and packing. Each stage contributes to finished-feed quality. Consistent grinding and mixing help the extruder receive a uniform feed mixture, while controlled drying and cooling help prepare the pellets for storage and transport.

Keeping suitable equipment in service can reduce the initial scope of investment, but reuse should be based on actual equipment condition and capacity. The customer would need to verify the performance of existing conveyors, mixers, dryers, coolers, and packing equipment before establishing a routine production schedule. This is especially important when the new product has different moisture and physical characteristics from the factory's conventional feed.

Why a Standalone Extruder Was the Right Investment Approach

The customer did not need a complete new feed mill. It needed an extrusion stage that could turn a prepared feed mixture into a new category of finished product. Purchasing one machine allowed the manufacturer to focus spending on the missing capability while retaining suitable equipment already installed in the plant.

This approach also created a practical way to develop the market. The business could start with a limited number of tilapia feed formulations, assess orders from existing customers, and evaluate the finished pellets under real production conditions. If demand increased, the next investment could be based on actual bottlenecks, such as drying capacity, storage, conveying, or the need for a second extrusion machine.

The SPHS120×2's listed capacity of 1.5–2.0 T/H provided a reasonable starting point for planning the new production stage. However, actual throughput would depend on the formulation, pellet diameter, moisture level, operating conditions, and the capacity of the downstream equipment. The factory would need to establish a sustainable operating rate through commissioning and production trials.

RICHI's Technical Support Before Purchase

For aquafeed equipment, model selection should begin with the finished product rather than motor power alone. The intended fish species, growth stage, pellet diameter, formulation, production target, and existing plant layout all affect the equipment configuration. Reviewing these details helps determine whether a twin-screw wet extruder is suitable and what supporting process stages must be available.

RICHI Machinery supplies equipment for feed processing applications, including aquafeed extrusion. Experience across different feed categories is useful because raw materials and finished-product requirements vary from one application to another. Tilapia feed production, for example, requires attention to formulation consistency, pellet structure, moisture control, and the physical characteristics needed for farm handling.

Before purchase, technical discussions can cover the proposed ingredient list, expected pellet dimensions, hourly output, installation space, electrical requirements, and connections to existing equipment. Where representative raw materials are available, processing trials can help evaluate throughput and pellet characteristics under defined conditions.

The customer also needs to prepare the installation area, confirm the electrical supply, and check the arrangement of the upstream and downstream machinery before shipment. Reviewing these points in advance can make installation and commissioning more organized and reduce uncertainty when the machine is integrated into an operating factory.

RICHI's equipment selection process is intended to match the machine to the buyer's actual production objectives. For a standalone extrusion project, this means considering the whole process around the extruder without automatically requiring the customer to purchase every other machine again.

Shipping from Qingdao Port to the Port of Abidjan

The planned sea-freight route for this project is from Qingdao Port in China to the Port of Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire. The Port of Abidjan is a major commercial port serving the country and is a suitable destination for this equipment shipment.

Before dispatch, the buyer and supplier should confirm the model, motor specifications, supplied components, and packing list against the order. The customer should also ensure that the installation space, electrical supply, and process connections are ready before the equipment arrives. These preparations are particularly important for a standalone extruder that must be integrated with existing production equipment.

The shipment covers one SPHS120×2 twin-screw wet extruder. The project remains focused on adding the extrusion stage, while the suitability of the existing grinding, mixing, drying, cooling, and packing equipment is assessed according to the intended production rate.

Customer Feedback: Focusing the Investment on the Missing Process Stage

In this illustrative project scenario, the customer valued the ability to discuss the intended feed product and existing factory layout before finalizing the equipment selection. The review helped define the expected pellet sizes, identify the process stages that could potentially be retained, and clarify which downstream capacities required confirmation.

The staged investment also suited the manufacturer's plans. Rather than replacing the entire plant, the business could concentrate on introducing extrusion capability and then evaluate demand for the new tilapia feed range. This left room for future upgrades based on production records and customer orders rather than assumptions about how quickly the market would grow.

The final assessment would depend on production results. Pellet consistency, moisture, durability, water stability, and the actual hourly output would need to be checked during commissioning and product trials. The customer would also assess whether its existing finishing equipment could handle the extruded pellets at a sustainable rate.

Discuss a Tilapia Feed Extruder Machine in Côte d’Ivoire with RICHI

For aquafeed manufacturers and fish-farming suppliers in Côte d’Ivoire, the first step is to define the product and production target. Fish size, pellet diameter, feed formulation, required output, and existing machinery all influence the most suitable extrusion configuration.

RICHI Machinery can help review these requirements and discuss suitable fish feed extrusion equipment, including twin-screw wet extrusion and other configurations where appropriate. The final model should be selected according to the intended feed formulation, process conditions, and realistic production target.

The SPHS120×2 was selected for this project because the customer needed a dedicated extrusion stage for tilapia feed without replacing the whole factory. For businesses with a similar requirement, sharing the planned ingredient list, target pellet sizes, expected output, and details of existing equipment provides a practical starting point for technical consultation and a quotation.