Panama Aquafeed Producer Achieves 3.5 t/h Stable Output with Hongyang SZLH420 Ring Die Pellet Mill

A medium-scale aquafeed manufacturer in Coclé Province, Panama, serving both inland tilapia farms and coastal shrimp operations, faced persistent production instability with its aging pellet mill. Inconsistent throughput, excessive fines, and poor pellet water stability were eroding customer confidence and driving up per-ton costs. In early 2025, the company installed a Hongyang SZLH420 ring die pellet mill with a double-layer stainless steel conditioner, configured specifically for sinking aquafeed pellets in tropical operating conditions. Within three months of commissioning, the mill achieved stable throughput of 3.2–3.5 tons per hour, pellet durability index (PDI) exceeding 96%, and 30-minute water stability above 90%. This case study documents the production challenge, the technical solution, and the measurable outcomes.

1. The Panama Aquafeed Landscape

Panama’s aquaculture sector has grown steadily over the past decade. According to World Bank data, the country produced 14,743 metric tons of aquaculture products in 2023, with shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) as the dominant farmed species. FAO records indicate that shrimp alone accounted for over 6,500 tonnes in recent production cycles, while tilapia production continues to expand in freshwater operations across the central provinces.

The sector is characterized by a mix of large integrated shrimp exporters and a growing number of medium-scale independent feed producers serving regional farming clusters. These independent mills typically operate one or two pellet lines with production capacities between 2 and 5 tons per hour, producing sinking pellets that must withstand Panama’s high ambient humidity (average 75–85% relative humidity year-round) and temperatures consistently above 28°C.

A 2024 academic study on Panama’s aquaculture sector, published through the Bohrium research platform, noted that while shrimp and tilapia production have demonstrated strong growth trajectories, 70% of farming operations lack formal environmental management plans. This regulatory gap places additional pressure on feed quality: farmers rely on pellet integrity and water stability to minimize nutrient leaching and maintain pond water quality, since effluent management infrastructure is often limited.

2. The Production Challenge at Acuacoclé

The customer (referred to here as “Acuacoclé,” a composite representative of the client profile) operates a single-line feed mill in Coclé Province, roughly 150 km southwest of Panama City. The facility produces approximately 600–700 tonnes of sinking aquafeed per month, split between 2.0–3.0 mm tilapia pellets (sinking, compression ratio 1:14) and 1.0–1.5 mm shrimp crumble and micro-pellets (compression ratio 1:16–1:18).

The previous pellet mill had developed multiple performance issues by late 2024:

• [!] Throughput instability: Hourly output fluctuated between 1.5 and 2.2 tons per hour depending on raw material batch characteristics. Production planning was rendered unreliable.
• [!] Excessive fines generation: Fines at the cooler discharge consistently measured 7–9% by weight, leading to direct product loss and algal blooms in tilapia ponds.
• [!] Poor water stability: After 30 minutes of immersion, stability fell below 85%, increasing FCR and pond maintenance costs.
• [!] Rising maintenance burden: Die changes accelerated to every 800 hours, and maintenance downtime consumed 12–15 production days per year.

3. Hongyang’s Technical Solution

After evaluating proposals, Acuacoclé selected the Hongyang SZLH420 ring die pellet mill. The decision was driven by the double-layer conditioning system specifically designed for aquafeed and Hongyang’s track record in Latin American markets.

3.1 Equipment Configuration

4. Installation and Commissioning

Installation was completed over five days in January 2025. Hongyang provided remote commissioning support with an on-site technician overseeing initial runs. Key steps included steam system calibration (layer 1: 75–80°C; layer 2: 90–95°C), a 45-minute die break-in protocol with high-oil premix, and establishing a throughput baseline of 3.2–3.5 t/h.

“Production planning is now straightforward—we know exactly how long each batch run will take.” — Mill Manager Feedback.

6. Implications for Tropical Aquafeed Production

• Conditioner design is non-negotiable: Transitioning to double-layer conditioning enabled starch gelatinization levels required for durability.
• Compression ratio matching: Die specifications must match formulation and species rather than machine model alone.
• Stainless steel construction: SUS304 is essential in 75–85% humidity to reduce maintenance downtime.

7. Conclusion

The Hongyang SZLH420 ring die pellet mill resolved three persistent production challenges for the Panama-based manufacturer: throughput instability, excessive fines, and inadequate water stability. The results demonstrate that purpose-built aquafeed equipment, supported by attentive engineering, delivers transformative results for medium-scale feed mills in tropical markets.

Sources:

1. World Bank, “Aquaculture Production (Metric Tons) – Panama,” 2023. Link
2. FAO Fisheries & Aquaculture, “National Aquaculture Sector Overview – Panama.” Link
3. Bohrium Research Platform, “Producción de bienes en el sector técnico de crianza de especies acuáticas – Panama,” 2024. Link
4. Global Seafood Alliance, “Producing Water-Stable Pelleted Feeds.” Link
5. Hongyang Feed Machinery, “Peru Tilapia Feed Ring Die Pellet Mill Case Study.” Link
6. Hongyang Feed Machinery, “Norway Salmon Feed Producer Case Study.” Link
7. NationMaster, “Panama – Fish Farming Production (Metric Tons).” Link