Aqua feed projects

How to compare aqua feed plant proposals

Short answer

Aqua plant proposals must be normalised on product, because extrusion capacity changes with pellet diameter and density. State species, diameters, floating or sinking, target density, water-stability requirement and maximum oil inclusion, then require each supplier to guarantee capacity at the binding product. Compare preconditioning capacity, extruder configuration, dryer type and moisture uniformity, cooler duty, vacuum coating scope, automation and the energy split between extrusion and drying. Add commissioning support measured in days on site with your own formulations — in extrusion, process start-up assistance is a material part of the value.

An aqua feed line is bought for a product envelope, not for a nameplate tonnage. Two 4 t/h lines can be incapable of making the same feed.

Compare aqua plant proposals on one scope

Product envelope

Species and life stages, smallest and largest pellet diameter
Floating, slow-sinking or sinking, with the density window per product
Water stability requirement and the verification method
Maximum oil inclusion and post-extrusion coating requirement
Micro-pellet or fry feed capability if required

Line normalisation

Preconditioner retention time, steam and water injection capacity
Extruder type and configuration, with capacity at the binding diameter and density
Dryer type, retention time, moisture in and out, uniformity target
Cooler duty and finished-product temperature
Vacuum coater capacity and oil handling
Sieving, grading and fines handling
Automation, recipe management and traceability

Economics and start-up

Energy split between extrusion and drying, in kWh and thermal units per tonne
Steam, water and fuel demand
Screw, die and knife wear life and cost per tonne
Changeover time between products and its effect on utilisation
Process commissioning days with your formulations, stated as a number
Scope-adjusted CAPEX per expected tonne per hour at the binding product

Questions buyers ask

Why do aqua feed capacities vary so much between products?

Because extrusion throughput falls as pellet diameter decreases and as density targets tighten, and drying capacity often becomes the limiting stage for high-moisture, floating products. A single capacity figure without a product reference is not usable for comparison.

What is most often underestimated in an aqua plant proposal?

Dryer duty, thermal energy cost and the number of process commissioning days required to stabilise commercial recipes. All three should be explicit line items in the RFQ.

Continue the decision

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Compare aqua plant proposals on one scope

Write the requirement once and send the same document to every supplier you are considering, including one you already prefer. FeedMatch sells nothing and takes no part in the contract.

Compare aqua plant proposals on one scope

Scope and neutrality

FeedMatch Group is an independent, supplier-neutral procurement platform. It does not manufacture, install or commission feed-processing equipment and is not an EPC contractor.
FeedMatch does not sell feed, ingredients, premixes or additives and does not act as a trader.
FeedMatch is not a bank, lender, credit provider or financial adviser. Financing, where relevant, is arranged by independent third parties.
Calculator outputs and planning ranges on this site are indicative inputs for your own evaluation, not quotations, nutritional advice or performance guarantees.