0086-138 3838 9622A Hungarian pet food manufacturer has finalized the main extrusion and recipe-handling concept for a new 3 t/h dry pet food production plant to be supplied by RICHI Machinery.
The future facility will manufacture both dog and cat kibble from a range of formulations that can include poultry or meat meal, corn, rice, wheat, pea-derived ingredients, fats, oils, vitamins and mineral premixes.
The latest engineering milestone is not the selection of one extruder. It is the confirmation of how a single line will move between multiple commercial recipes.
Dog and Cat Products Cannot Be Treated as One Formula Family
The customer’s product plan includes differences in protein level, starch source, fat content, kibble dimensions and coating requirements.
Some recipes may contain more animal protein. Others may use alternative grain or pea ingredients.
These changes can affect extrusion conditions and downstream drying.
RICHI has therefore developed the line around a controlled production range rather than one “standard pet food” recipe.
Changeover Time Is Now Part of the Engineering Discussion
When one product finishes and another begins, retained material inside bins, conveyors and processing equipment can affect the next batch.
The customer wants to limit unnecessary carryover while keeping production practical.
Engineering work has therefore considered:
- batch sequencing;
- cleanout access;
- ingredient storage separation;
- liquid system management;
- finished-product routing.
This is particularly important when higher-value recipes are produced in relatively shorter runs.
Coating Will Be Adjusted to Product Positioning
Fats and palatability-related liquids can be applied after drying and cooling according to the product formula.
The quantity and type of liquid are not identical across all dog and cat foods.
The downstream coating system must therefore support recipe adjustment rather than one constant application rate.
Production Capacity Will Vary Across the Product Portfolio
The 3 t/h figure represents the intended plant scale.
Actual output can change with kibble size, formula, extrusion condition and drying requirement.
RICHI Machinery has communicated this during the engineering stage so that the customer does not plan future production around an unrealistic assumption of identical throughput for every SKU.
Project Will Move into Manufacturing After Layout Release
With the process concept now confirmed, final equipment positions and building interfaces are being coordinated.
Once the Hungarian customer approves the layout, the main machines can enter production.
The pet feed mill project is therefore moving from recipe strategy into physical execution, with multi-product flexibility remaining one of the defining requirements of the future pet food plant.
