Improving Pellet Durability in Feed By-products

Many feed producers pellet by-products before storage, handling and transportation. Pellet durability is critical for reducing fines, minimising product losses, and ensuring pellets maintain their quality throughout the supply chain.

Trials conducted at Borregaard's research facilities demonstrated that liquid lignosulfonate (LS) from Borregaard can improve Pellet Durability Index (PDI) in several commonly pelleted feed by-products, including DDGS, linseed meal and cottonseed meal. In all trials, pellet durability increased as binder dosage increased.

 

DDGS (Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles)

 

Figure 1. Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles: PDI results from pelleting

 

 

High fibre and fat levels combined with lower starch content often make DDGS difficult to pellet.

Even though the control pellets already exhibited good durability, liquid lignosulfonate from Borregaard delivered a clear improvement at all inclusion levels tested.

Result: PDI improved from 87.6 to 92.0, an increase of 4.4.

Linseed Meal

Figure 2. Linseed meal: PDI results from pelleting

 

Linseed meal already produced high durability pellets without binder addition.

Nevertheless, Borregaard's liquid lignosulfonate consistently increased pellet durability and delivered the highest PDI at the highest inclusion rate tested.

Result: PDI improved from 92.9 to 96.0, an increase of 3.1.

Cottonseed Meal

Figure 3. Cottonseed meal: PDI results from pelleting

 

Cottonseed meal pellets also benefited from the addition of liquid lignosulfonate from Borregaard.

While the control pellets already demonstrated excellent durability, the binder further improved pellet quality across all inclusion levels.

Result: PDI improved from 95.5 to 96.8, an increase of 1.3 .

Summary of results

Across all three by-products tested, liquid lignosulfonate from Borregaard improved pellet durability. These results demonstrate that lignosulfonates are an effective binder option for by-product pellet production, helping producers reduce fines and maintain pellet integrity during handling, storage and transportation.

By-product Control PDI Best PDI Improvement Fines reduction (%)
DDGS 87.6 92.0 +4.4 35.5
Linseed meal 92.9 96.0 +3.1 43.7
Cottonseed meal 95.5 96.8 +1.3 28.9

 

Test conditions

  • By-products tested: DDGS, linseed meal and cottonseed meal.
  • Inclusion levels: 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% liquid lignosulfonate.
  • Pelleting carried out on a CPM CL-Type 5 pellet mill using steam conditioning.
  • Pellet durability measured using a New Holmen 100 Portable Tester.

Contact us to learn more or request a sample for testing