Wet vs. Dry Granulation Techniques in Biofertilizer Production: A Practical Comparison for New Manufacturers

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In the biofertilizer industry, choosing the right granulation method—either wet granulation or dry granulation—plays a major role in determining pellet quality, production cost, and overall plant efficiency. Whether a producer is building a new biofertilizer pellets manufacturing line or upgrading existing equipment, understanding the difference between these two granulation technologies is essential. Below is a clear comparison to help new fertilizer investors make informed decisions.

1. What Is Wet Granulation in Organic Fertilizer Making?

Wet granulation is widely used in bio-organic fertilizer production, especially when working with composted manure, microbial inoculants, or humic-acid-based materials. The process involves adding liquid binders (water, microbial solution, or steam) to increase moisture and allow materials to agglomerate into round pellets.

Common equipment includes:

disc pelletizers (pan granulators)

rotary drum granulators

new-type organic fertilizer granulators

Wet granulation is known for producing spherical, uniform, and highly attractive granules, making it ideal for commercial organic fertilizers. However, because moisture increases during the process, the pellets must go through dryers and coolers, which add to energy consumption.

2. What Is Dry Granulation for Biofertilizer Pellets?

Dry granulation—or press granulation, roller compaction, or extrusion granulation—forms pellets by compressing powder materials without adding additional moisture. It is commonly carried out using a double roller granulator (also called a compactor or extrusion granulator).

Key advantages include:

minimal energy consumption

no need for drying equipment

ideal for heat-sensitive probiotics or microbial biofertilizers

compact layout suitable for small or medium-scale plants

Dry granulation produces dense, oval or pillow-shaped pellets, which are mechanically strong but may be less uniform in appearance compared with wet granules.

3. Quality Differences and Application Preferences

Wet granulation is preferred when producers need:

round granules with high aesthetic value

pellets with adjustable nutrient release rates

strong binding capability for low-viscosity materials

Dry granulation is recommended for:

materials already containing natural moisture

microbial fertilizers requiring low-temperature processing

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4. Cost and Equipment Considerations

Wet granulation lines require more machines—such as mixers, granulators, rotary dryers, coolers, and coating machines—which increases investment.
Dry granulation systems are simpler and often only need a crusher, mixer, roller press granulator, and screening machine, resulting in lower operational costs.

Conclusion

Both wet and dry granulation offer reliable ways to produce biofertilizer pellets, but the right choice depends on budget, raw materials, and product requirements. For manufacturers planning a new biofertilizer production line, understanding these technical differences helps optimize efficiency and achieve high-quality pellet output. If you want to know more, welcome to visit: https://www.biofertilizerproduction.com/product/bio-fertilizer-granulator/ 

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dry granulator vs. wet granulator