In the field of fertilizer production, flat die and ring die granulators are like “twin stars,” each with its own merits. According to 2023 data from the China Agricultural Machinery Industry Association, these two types of equipment together account for 76% of the organic fertilizer granulation market[1]. So what exactly are their differences? How should you choose?
Core Differences: Structure and Working Principle
| Comparison Item | Flat Die Granulator | Ring Die Granulator |
| Die Structure | Horizontally placed flat die | Vertically placed ring die |
| Working Principle | Roller vertically presses material through flat die holes | Roller horizontally rotates to extrude material through ring die holes |
| Suitable Materials | Organic materials with high fiber content | Powdered or small granular materials |
| Production Capacity | 1-5 tons/hour (small to medium scale) | 5-20 tons/hour (large scale) |
| Energy Consumption | Lower energy consumption (approx. 0.8-1.2 kW·h/ton) | Higher energy consumption (approx. 1.5-2.5 kW·h/ton) |
Selection Guide: When to Use Flat Die? When to Use Ring Die?
When to choose flat die granulator:
- Producing organic fertilizer or bio-organic fertilizer (fiber content >30%)
- Small to medium scale production (limited investment budget)
- Frequent formula changes required (easier die replacement)
- Areas with limited power resources (clear energy consumption advantage)
When to choose ring die granulator:
- Large-scale continuous production (high capacity requirements)
- Mainly powdered raw materials (like mineral fertilizers)
- Pursuing higher pellet density (20-30% improvement in pellet strength)
- High automation requirements (easier to integrate intelligent systems)
Market Position and User Groups
Market position: In the 2023 organic fertilizer equipment market, flat die granulators accounted for 34%, while ring die granulators accounted for 42%, together occupying over 3/4 of the market share[2]. Flat die is more suitable for small and medium-sized organic fertilizer plants, while ring die dominates large compound fertilizer production lines.
Target users:
- Equipment procurement managers of fertilizer production enterprises
- Agricultural entrepreneurs and organic farm owners
- Environmental engineering companies (processing organic waste)
- Teachers and students at agricultural colleges and research institutions
- Project planners in government agricultural departments
Advantages and Limitations
| Equipment Type | Advantages | Limitations |
| Flat Die Granulator | · Adapts to high-fiber materials
· Lower die cost (about 60% of ring die) · Simple maintenance · Low energy consumption |
· Relatively small capacity
· Lower pellet density · Not suitable for prolonged continuous operation |
| Ring Die Granulator | · High production capacity
· Better pellet quality · Suitable for continuous production · High automation level |
· Higher investment cost
· Strict requirements on raw materials · Higher energy consumption · Complex die replacement |
Flat Die Granulator
The flat die granulator machine uses the straightguide transmission form,which makes the rollerself-rotating under the action of friction force. Thepowder material is extruded from the hole of themould press by the roller, and the cylindrical pelletscome out through the disc (The cylindrical pelletslength can be controlled by the cutter. Meanwhile,the cylindrical pellets can be polishing into roundshape granules).The Flat Die Granulator is mainlyused in the production of bio organic fertilizer pelletmaking,and the processing of feed pellets inbreeding industry. Has the characteristics of lesspower consumption, no vibration, large output andlow noise.lt can be widely used in fertilizer, feed,aquaculture and other fields.
Ring Die Granulator
The organic fertilizer ring die granulator machine is one ofthe main (Biological) Organic Fertilizer Production Equipmentproduced byour company.On the basis of all kinds ofgranulating machines in China and abroad, our engineerthrough repeated research,improvement and meticulousmanufacture, the machine adopts gear belt drive to get higherproduction efficiency, and the output is at least 15% higher thanthe traditional granulation machine.It is mainly used in(Biological) Organic Fertilizer, Compound Fertilizer and FeedingProcessing Industry. The surface of the finished product issmooth, the hardness is moderate, the temperature rises inprocessing is low and can keep the nutrients inside the rawmaterial. At the same time, the machine has excellent designtechnology and simple operation and maintenance. lt is an idealequipment for fertilizer enterprises.
References:
[1] China Agricultural Machinery Industry Association. 2023 China Organic Fertilizer Equipment Market Report[R]. Beijing, 2023. [2] Agricultural Mechanization Station, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Research on Application Status of Fertilizer Production Equipment[Z]. 2023.Note: The data in this article is based on 2023 industry research. For actual selection, please consider the latest technological developments and specific production requirements.
