5-6T/H Twin Screw Food Extruder in Italy

The Need for a Single, Versatile Machine

This customer had previously outsourced much of its extruded feed work, especially the floating fish feed that must be precisely cooked for optimal buoyancy and nutrient retention. For pet food, they relied on a local toll processor to handle contract extrusion, which limited their ability to test new recipes or quickly respond to market changes.

After careful analysis, they chose to buy a twin screw food extruder as a single piece of core equipment to bring this critical production step in-house. They did not invest in a full new line all at once—only the extruder was added to complement their existing grinders, mixers, and packaging system.

Choosing the Right Twin Screw Food Extruder Model

Because their production plan covers both high-protein floating fish feed and mid-range volumes of dry pet food, they needed a robust, flexible model. After technical discussions and testing, they chose the RICHI SPHS150×2 twin screw extruder.

Key Specifications

Raw Materials Matching Italy’s Strengths

• Fish meal and fish oil (30–45%) for high-protein floating trout and sea bass feed
• Corn, wheat, and rice bran (40–50%) from local farms
• Animal fats and vegetable oils for energy boost and palatability
• Minor ingredients like vitamins, minerals, yeast extracts, and taurine for pet nutrition

For fish feed, the focus is on achieving the correct buoyancy and water stability. For pet feed, digestibility and kibble uniformity are the priorities. The twin screw extruder is key for both, providing the shear, mixing, and cooking precision that single screw machines simply cannot deliver for these diverse recipes.

Core Benefits: One Twin Screw Extruder for Two Markets

• Run floating trout feed with precise control over cooking temperature and moisture
• Easily adjust recipes and screw configurations for different fish species
• Produce dry dog and cat food kibble with high meat content—difficult to process with a single screw
• Shift from fish feed to pet feed with minimal downtime thanks to easy cleaning and modular die changing

How the Machine Fits Into Their Production

This twin screw food extruder in Italy is the heart of their new hybrid approach. Ingredients arrive from trusted local suppliers. Grains are milled on-site, protein meals are blended with precise inclusion rates, and the mix goes through the pre-conditioner where steam and moisture are adjusted.

Inside the twin screw food extruder, raw materials are cooked and shaped by the screws’ intensive mixing and shear action. The cooked product exits through custom die plates—one set for small floating pellets for trout, another set for larger dry kibble for dogs.

After extrusion, fish feed goes to a dryer and cooler, then packaging. Pet kibble passes through an oil coating drum for added palatability before bagging.

Training and Support from RICHI

• Design the layout for minimal energy loss and easy integration into the plant
• Train operators on screw configuration and die changing, crucial for switching product types
• Set up recipe trials for different moisture levels and densities
• Provide wear parts and support for future upgrades

RICHI’s after-sales service gives this client the confidence to experiment with new recipes without risking costly downtime.

Compliance and Local Requirements

For fish feed, the producer must meet strict EU feed hygiene standards and traceability rules. The new extruder’s advanced control panel logs every batch’s critical parameters—moisture, temperature, residence time—supporting full traceability.

For pet food, food safety and labeling rules are even more demanding. The twin screw extruder ensures uniform cooking and starch gelatinization, which helps meet digestibility requirements for pets.

Ready for Future Growth

By investing in this SPHS150×2 twin screw food extruder, the customer is well-prepared to grow. As their fish feed contracts expand—especially for certified sustainable aquaculture—they can run bigger batches without outsourcing.

For pet food, they can respond to seasonal trends, test grain-free or functional kibbles, and add premium value lines with novel proteins like insect meal or single-source fish proteins.

If demand grows beyond 5–6 tons per hour, they know RICHI can help them add a second extruder, or upgrade peripheral equipment step by step.

Why More Italian Feed Producers Are Turning to RICHI

Italy’s feed producers know they must balance modern performance with traditional feed quality. A twin screw food extruder in Italy gives medium-sized operations the flexibility once reserved for large factories—without losing the agility and local touch that their customers appreciate.

RICHI stands out not just for robust extruder design, but also for practical help: from layout drawings to operator training and after-sales service. That’s why more producers trust RICHI to supply not just a machine, but a path to a more independent, profitable future.

A Twin Screw Food Extruder in Italy—Small Change, Big Impact

If you’re a fish feed mill, an aquaculture company, or a pet food startup in Italy, take inspiration from this success story. Sometimes one well-chosen twin screw food extruder is all it takes to shift from dependence on contract manufacturers to owning your process, recipes, and quality.

RICHI Machinery is ready to help you do the same. Reach out today to discuss your needs—whether it’s floating trout feed, cat kibble, or the next innovative blend for the pet aisle.