Customer experience
Customer Story: Fertilife
Customer Story: Fertilife
Milling 400 tons a day at Fertilife
Fertilife: Advancing sustainable fertilizer production
Fertilife Benelux is a leading granular fertilizer producer in the Netherlands and part of the international Agrofertrans Group, specializing in high-quality ammonium sulfate. For their brand-new factory in Terneuzen, Fertilife approached Dinnissen to supply their Hamex® Hammer Mill to mill raw fertilizer crystals into a fine powder—a critical step in the compaction process. After successful test runs with the actual raw materials, Dinnissen delivered a hammer mill that grinds the product at 120 meters per second, ensuring an consistent particle size. Within half a year, the new system was up and running, enabling Fertilife to scale up production while maintaining the environmental and operational standards they are known for.
In this interview with the representative of Fertilife, you will read:
- How Fertilife uses Dinnissen’s Hamex® Hammer Mill to mill raw fertilizer crystals into a fine powder
- How Fertilife and Dinnissen’s collaboration drove improvements in production efficiency
- How Fertilife scaled up to a daily output of 380 to 400 tons
A part of the Hamex® Hammer Mill at Fertilife.
"Today, the line operates smoothly, and we are able to produce high-quality granular ammonium sulfate from top-grade EU raw materials."
Representative of Fertilife
Dinnissen Hamex® Hammer Mill as part of the new production line
“Our new production plant in Terneuzen is strategically located with excellent access to transport links, including sea, river, and road, which is key for our logistics. As we were building this new facility, we had the opportunity to redesign our entire production process. We worked closely with Dinnissen from the beginning to ensure we were selecting the best equipment for our needs. The new facility and production line were designed with efficiency in mind, and Dinnissen’s Hamex® Hammer Mill was integral to this setup,” explains the representative of Fertilife.
A part of the Hamex® Hammer Mill at Fertilife.
How does the Hamex® Hammer Mill work?
“As part of our new production line for compacted fertilizer, we integrated a hammer mill from Dinnissen to optimize the milling process. The production process starts with crushing fertilizer crystals into finer particles, followed by mixing with additives and water. The material is then compacted under high pressure to form granules ready for market distribution.”
However, the solution wasn't as simple as selecting a standard hammer mill. Fertilife’s fertilizer crystals proved to be exceptionally hard, challenging even the best milling machines. “When Fertilife reached out to us, they needed a solution to handle these tough crystals. After initial testing with their raw materials, we knew we could deliver. The result was a Hamex® Hammer Mill, a machine that has been part of our product range for over 40 years. Originally developed for processing animal feed and grains, we adapted it for Fertilife's needs, ensuring it could handle these demanding fertilizers,” says Piet van Bommel from Dinnissen.
The Hamex® Hammer Mill operates at a speed of 120 meters per second, delivering a significant impact on the material, breaking the hard crystals apart efficiently. “The high velocity creates a powerful force that causes the crystals to shatter,” van Bommel continues. “This level of precision and impact was exactly what was needed to transform the raw material into fine powder suitable for compaction.”
The collaboration moved quickly from testing to installation, despite the challenges of setting up a new plant. “It took about six months to manufacture the machine, integrate the electrical connections, and complete the installation,” says van Bommel. Despite the complexity of the project, Dinnissen's team managed to get the system running smoothly, helping Fertilife boost their production capacity.
"Thanks to these refinements, our production efficiency has significantly improved, now consistently reaching a daily output of 380 to 400 tons."
Representative of Fertilife
How Fertilife reached a daily output of 400 tons
“Our production line, equipped with advanced machinery such as the hammer mill and compaction system, initially faced some challenges. However, by working closely with Dinnissen, we were able to make the necessary adjustments. The hammer mill was optimized for easier cleaning, and software improvements helped boost overall performance. Thanks to these refinements, our production efficiency has significantly improved, now consistently reaching a daily output of 380 to 400 tons. Today, the line operates smoothly, and we are able to produce high-quality granular ammonium sulfate from top-grade EU raw materials.”
Effective collaboration drives efficient results
"The contact with Fertilife was very smooth, much quicker than usual in a sales process," says Piet van Bommel. "They had ordered several machines but still needed one to process the raw materials. That’s when we suggested the Hamex® Hammer Mill. They were pleased we could first conduct tests, and after that, they quickly made the decision to order."
A part of the Hamex® Hammer Mill at Fertilife.
"They were pleased we could first conduct tests, and after that, they quickly made the decision to order."
Piet van Bommel, Account manager at Dinnissen
“While the machine met production requirements, challenges arose during implementation, particularly with ventilation and software accessibility. The resolution of these issues required discussions and technical support. Throughout the process, we appreciated the expertise and commitment of Dinnissen’s team. Despite some challenges, the collaboration ultimately strengthened the production line,” says the representative of Fertilife.
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