Small Scale Sunflower Oil Processing Plant

The sunflower seed oil extraction machines are vibrating screen - stone removal machine - magnetic separator - cracker - sunflower seed kernel and shell separator - flaking machine - cooker - oil press - filter.

Small-scale plants generally handle 1–20 tons of sunflower seeds per day . This range balances affordability and productivity, making it ideal for local businesses or rural operations. For example, a 5-ton/day plant uses a 11 kW screw press (model YZS-95) and fits in compact workshop spaces .

The calculation of how many sunflower seeds are needed to produce one kg of sunflower seed oil is mainly related to the oil content of sunflower seeds and the extraction method of sunflower seed oil. If the direct pressing method is used, we need to use 2.273 kg of sunflower seeds, and if the pre-pressing solvent extraction method is used, we need to use 2.04 kg of sunflower seeds.

To obtain more profits, it’s recommended to improve the final yield of sunflower oil by adopting the following three solutions: choose high oil content sunflower seeds, adopt pre-pressing&solvent extraction processing technology, purchase high-quality sunflower oil processing equipment and operate correctly.

If you want to set up a small scale sunflower oil processing plant, extract sunflower oil from sunflower seeds, you must be equipped with: cleaning machines (vibrating screen, magnetic separator and destoner machine), husking machine, flaking machine, cooking machine and sunflower oil press.

Cleaning machines includes vibrating screen, magnetic separator and destoner machine. These three machines are used to remove the impurities in the crude oil, like dust and ropes, iron scraps, stones, etc.

Husking machine can help you remove the shell of sunflower seeds, which is convenient for subsequent cooking and pressing.

Flaking machine can squeeze the material into thin sheets, which shorten the oil passage greatly.

Cooking machine can control the temperature and humidity of sunflower seeds, which can fully destroy the tissue of cell in the thin sheets, improve the oil yield rate.

The sunflower oil pressing machine squeezes the sunflower oil out from the sunflower seeds by mechanical force.

Sunflower Oil is edible oil extracted through press methods or solvent extraction methods. The color and consistency of the oil under high pressure cooking depends on the method of production.
The clear extract is used in every household to fry or make dishes. The sunflower oil has high economic value and attracts premium price in the market.
The huge market makes sunflower oil a good business opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs. The business is operated both small scale and large scale depending on the finance and goal.
Things to consider when starting a sunflower oil factory are funding, location, processing equipment and sourcing the raw materials.

For a 10-ton/day plant without dewaxing, plan a workshop of approximately 30×12×8 meters (L×W×H) . If adding dewaxing (for clearer oil), expand to 48×12×8 meters. Include space for raw material storage, equipment operation, and finished oil packaging.

Pressing (hot or cold): Ideal for small plants—leaves 6–8% residual oil in the cake . It’s simpler, requires less investment, and avoids chemical solvents.​
Solvent extraction: Achieves 1–2% residual oil but needs complex equipment and safety measures . Only cost-effective for large-scale operations (＞20 tons/day).

Delivery typically takes 30 days after a 30% down payment for standard 20-ton/day refinery units . Basic pressing lines (1–5 tons/day) may arrive faster. Setup involves leveling the equipment, connecting power, and test-running with small seed batches to adjust pressure and temperature .