We supply small-scale, semi-mechanized operations to large, fully automated industrial shea butter oil production line. 

Shea Butter Oil Production Stages

1. Shea Fruit Pre-Treatment Stage

This stage prepares the shea fruit for efficient oil extraction.

Equipment:

Cleaning Sieves/Separators: Remove stones, sand, leaves, and other foreign materials.

Crushers/De-shellers: Crack the hard outer shell to separate the kernels. This can be a combination of a crusher and a winnowing machine (air separator).

Dryers: Reduce the moisture content of the kernels to a suitable level (typically below 10-12%). This can be solar dryers (traditional), tray dryers, or rotary dryers. Proper drying is crucial for storage and oil yield.

2. Preparation for Shea Butter Oil Extraction
This stage transforms the kernels into a paste ready for oil release.

Equipment:

Roasters: Roasting the kernels develops the characteristic nutty aroma, destroys enzymes, and coagulates proteins, making it easier to extract the oil. Can be direct or indirect heated roasters.

Grinders/Mills: The roasted kernels are ground into a fine, smooth paste. For small-scale, a motorized granite mill or hammer mill is used. For large-scale, an industrial hammer mill or roller mill is employed.

3. The Core Stage of Shea Butter Oil Extraction

This is the heart of the "Shea Butter Oil Extractor" production line. There are two primary methods:

A) Mechanical Pressing 

Equipment:

Oil Presses:

Scew Presses 

Hydraulic Presse


B) Solvent Extraction (Primarily for Industrial/Refined Oil)

4. Shea Oil Refining Stage 

The crude oil from the press or solvent plant needs to be cleaned and can be refined for specific applications.

Equipment:

Clarifiers/Settling Tanks: The crude oil is allowed to stand so solid impurities (foots) settle at the bottom.

Filter Presses or Plate Filters: Removes fine suspended particles from the oil, resulting in Unrefined Shea Oil.

Refining Line (for Refined Oil):

Degumming: Removes phospholipids using water and centrifugal separators.

Neutralization (Caustic Refining): Removes free fatty acids using an alkali.

Bleaching: Uses bleaching earth (clay) to remove color pigments and impurities.

Deodorization: Uses steam under high heat and vacuum to remove volatile compounds and odors.
4. Shea Butter Oil Fractionation Stage

4.

6. Packaging & Storage