I. Planning Approach for Edible Oil Process Lines Based on Production Capacity

Before planning a food oil processing line, defining the production target is the primary prerequisite . The production scale determines the equipment specifications, process route, and overall level of automation.

• Small-scale edible oil processing lines : emphasizing flexibility and controllable investment

• Medium-sized edible oil processing line : pursuing a balance between oil yield, quality, and cost.

• Large-scale food oil processing lines : centered on automation, continuous operation, and economies of scale.

Meanwhile, the differences in structure, oil content and processing characteristics of different oilseeds (such as soybeans, peanuts, rapeseed, sunflower seeds, etc.) will directly affect the equipment selection and process configuration of food oil processing lines.

II. Small-scale food oil processing line (5–10 TPD): Configuration and cost characteristics

1. Typical Equipment Configuration

Small-scale food oil processing lines with 5–10 TPD are mostly used by startups or regional processing plants, with practicality, compactness, and ease of maintenance as the core features.

2. Price and Cost Analysis

The investment threshold for small-scale edible oil processing lines is relatively low , with overall prices typically ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of RMB , depending on the specific requirements.

• Equipment Brands and Manufacturing Standards

• Automation level

• Suitable oil types

Due to limited production capacity, the unit product cost is relatively high, but its advantages lie in the short capital recovery cycle and flexible market entry .

3. Equipment Selection Recommendations

When selecting equipment for a small-scale food oil processing line, the following should be considered:

• Equipment stability and durability

• Does it match the target oil?

• Supplier after-sales and technical support capabilities

III. Medium-sized edible oil processing lines (20–50 TPD): Configuration upgrades and investment changes

1. Core Configuration Upgrade Direction

A 20–50 TPD (Total Productive Output) line is considered a medium-sized edible oil processing line and is the mainstream choice for most established companies. Compared to smaller production lines, its process is more complete, with the key being the improvement in oil yield and oil grade .

2. Cost Analysis of Edible Oil Process Line

The investment for a medium-sized edible oil processing line typically ranges from several hundred thousand to several million yuan , and the cost structure mainly includes:

• Procurement of core process equipment

• Factory and infrastructure construction

• Installation, commissioning, and process support

When purchasing a medium-sized food oil processing line, in addition to considering the factors involved in purchasing a small-scale processing line, the following factors also need to be considered:

• Equipment automation level: Select equipment with a high degree of automation to improve production efficiency and reduce labor costs.
• Equipment capacity matching: Ensure that the capacity of each piece of equipment is matched to avoid production bottlenecks.
• Rationality of process flow: Select equipment with a reasonable process flow to ensure product quality and production efficiency.

IV. Large-scale food oil processing line (100 TPD and above): System configuration and cost structure

Large-scale edible oil processing lines are suitable for large enterprises or groups, with a typical output of 100 TPD or more. These lines require highly automated and large-scale production systems to meet the demands of mass production. The main equipment configuration includes:

The cost structure of a large-scale processing line is quite complex, mainly including equipment procurement costs, installation and commissioning costs, infrastructure construction costs, operation and maintenance costs, and personnel training costs. Equipment procurement costs generally range from several million to tens of millions of yuan, with the specific price depending on the brand, model, and configuration of the equipment. Infrastructure construction costs include factory construction, equipment installation, and water and electricity supply, also requiring significant investment. Operation and maintenance costs mainly include raw material procurement, energy consumption, equipment maintenance and repair, and are long-term expenditures. Personnel training costs are to ensure that operators can master the operation and maintenance skills of the equipment, improving production efficiency and product quality.

Although large-scale processing lines have higher investment costs, their unit production costs are relatively lower due to their economies of scale and high degree of automation. At the same time, large-scale processing lines also offer higher product quality and production efficiency, enabling them to meet the large-scale market demand for high-quality edible oils and enhance the company's market competitiveness and profitability.

When purchasing a large-scale food oil processing line, in addition to considering the factors required for a medium-sized processing line, the following factors also need to be considered:

• Equipment reliability and stability: Select equipment with high reliability and stability to ensure continuous operation of the production line.
• Equipment scalability: Consider the scalability of the equipment so that it can be easily upgraded and modified when production needs to be increased in the future.
• Supplier's technical strength and service capabilities: Select suppliers with strong technical capabilities and good service capabilities to ensure timely technical support and service during equipment operation.

V. Key Factors Affecting the Price and Cost of Food Oil Process Lines

The price cost of a food oil processing line is affected by a variety of factors, mainly including the following:

• Production demand: Production demand is one of the most important factors affecting the price and cost of a processing line. The larger the production volume, the higher the scale of equipment and the higher the degree of automation required, and the higher the investment cost.
• Equipment selection: Prices vary significantly depending on the brand, model, and quality of the equipment. Choosing high-end equipment can improve production efficiency and product quality, but the investment cost will also increase accordingly.
• Process flow: Different process flows have a significant impact on equipment configuration and investment costs. For example, using a leaching process can increase the oil yield, but it requires additional leaching equipment and a solvent recovery system, which will correspondingly increase investment costs.
• Raw material characteristics: Different oilseeds have different physical and chemical properties, and therefore require different processing technologies and equipment. For example, oilseeds with high oil content require a combined pre-pressing and solvent extraction process, while oilseeds with low oil content can be processed using a full pressing process.
• Infrastructure construction: The cost of infrastructure construction for the processing line includes expenses for factory construction, equipment installation, water and electricity supply, etc., which will also affect the price cost.

VI. How to select equipment for a food oil processing line based on production capacity requirements

Choosing the right edible oil processing line solution based on production capacity requires comprehensive consideration of multiple factors. Here are some suggestions:

• Define production targets: First, define the company's production targets and determine an appropriate production scale based on market demand and the company's development plan.
• Assess the investment budget: Based on the company's financial situation and investment plans, assess the affordable investment budget. When selecting a processing line solution, ensure that the investment cost is within the budget.
• Equipment selection considerations: Based on production requirements and investment budget, select appropriate equipment. Factors such as equipment quality, reliability, applicability, and degree of automation should be considered.
• Compare different solutions: Compare processing line solutions offered by different suppliers, including equipment configuration, process flow, price, cost, and after-sales service. Choose the solution that best suits your company's needs.
• On-site inspection: Before selecting a supplier, it is recommended to conduct on-site inspections of the supplier's production base and customer cases to understand the actual operation of the equipment and the supplier's service capabilities.

VII. Rational allocation is more important than blindly pursuing output.

In the edible oil processing industry, rationally configuring processing lines is more important than blindly pursuing output. A rational configuration can improve production efficiency, reduce production costs, and ensure product quality, thereby enhancing the company's market competitiveness and profitability.

Blindly pursuing output may lead to problems such as improper equipment selection, unreasonable process flow, excessive investment costs, and increased operating costs. For example, selecting oversized equipment may result in low equipment utilization, increased energy consumption, and higher equipment maintenance costs; adopting an unreasonable process flow may lead to reduced oil yield and decreased product quality.

Therefore, when planning edible oil processing lines, enterprises should rationally configure the lines and select appropriate production scales and equipment types based on their own actual conditions and market demand. At the same time, they should focus on the quality and reliability of the equipment and choose suppliers with a good reputation and after-sales service.

Frequently Asked Questions about Food Oil Process Lines

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