Plants · Overview

Cashew Nut Processing Plant

Manual, semi-auto or fully automatic — built to your scale

A cashew nut processing plant turns raw cashew nuts into graded, export-ready kernels. TTQ builds them at every scale — from compact semi-automatic units to fully automatic export lines.

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Manual→AutoEvery scale

8Core stages

Africa& Asia — where we export

Cashew Nut Processing Plant — Manual, semi-auto or fully automatic — built to your scale

FIG.P2 // PROCESSING PLANT Ø ANY SCALE

Engineered & built by TTQ

In short

A cashew nut processing plant is a facility that converts raw cashew nuts into peeled, graded kernels through grading, steaming, shelling, drying, peeling, grading/sorting and packing. Plants range from manual and semi-automatic setups — lower capex, more labour — to fully automatic PLC lines that maximise yield with minimal labour. TTQ designs and supplies plants at every scale, matching automation level to your capital, labour cost and target capacity.

Scope

What's included

Right-sized design

A plant scaled to your capital, labour cost and raw-nut supply.

Machinery supply

Individual machines or a fully integrated line, as your scale requires.

Install & commission

Set up and commissioned on your floor, wherever you are.

Support & spares

Training, spare parts and technical support after handover.

Configuration	Capacity	Best for
Manual / semi-auto	Low capex	More labour, flexible for small volumes
Semi-automatic	Balanced	Key stages automated, moderate labour
Fully automatic	Highest yield	PLC line, lowest labour per tonne

The process

How it comes together

Calibration & cleaning

Raw nuts sized and cleaned for even shelling.

Steaming

3–4 bar for 20–25 min softens shells and protects kernels.

Shelling & cutting

Automatic cutters split shells with minimal breakage.

Borma drying

Kernels dried 13–14 h to 3–4%, which makes the testa brittle.

Humidification

Surface moisture back to 5–6% so the testa releases cleanly.

Peeling

Dry peeling removes the skin at high whole-kernel yield.

Grading & colour sorting

Sized into W-grades, then optical defect removal.

Packing & metal detection

Vacuum packed and checked before dispatch.

Why TTQ

One manufacturer, end to end

Match capex to market

Choose the automation level that fits your budget and labour economics.

Export-grade output

Every plant is built to reach clean W-grade kernels for export.

Modular & upgradable

Start semi-automatic and add automation stage by stage as you grow.

One accountable supplier

TTQ covers design, machines, install and support end to end.

Diagrams

The process, drawn

Process diagram

The eight core stages

Raw cashew nut in at one end, packed export kernel out at the other. Moisture is the thread: every stage either takes it out or puts a controlled amount back.

Calibration Size grading 8–10% moisture

Steaming Shell softened 3–4 bar · 20–25 min

Shelling Kernel released 85–90% whole

Borma drying Testa turns brittle 13–14 h → 3–4%

Humidification Surface rewetted → 5–6% surface

Peeling Testa removed 80–90% first pass

Grading & sorting Size then colour W180–W500

Packing Vacuum + metal check 3–5% moisture

Capacities and cycles are Size A basis, per 8-hour shift. Stages 04 and 05 are separate machines in separate rooms — the borma oven dries, the humidifier puts moisture back.

Process diagram

Plant scale and what actually separates the tiers

Capacity alone does not explain the jump between plant sizes. The additions do.

Small One peeler, no colour sorter 300–500 kg/h

Medium Adds colour sorter + second peeler 800–1,000 kg/h

Large Four peelers, multi-channel sorter, two packers, shell press 1,500–2,000 kg/h

Equipment is only 55–65% of a project. Installation, electrical work, buildings, utilities and raw-material inventory typically add 40–60% on top of the equipment package.

See it in action

Watch a TTQ line run

Watch the demo

Answers

Cashew Nut Processing Plant — FAQ

Can a cashew processing plant run three shifts?

A shelling line can be run on three shifts, but a complete cashew processing plant cannot: drying, humidification and peeling impose batch cycle times that make full three-shift operation impractical. Plant capacity is therefore quoted per 8-hour shift, with two-shift operation as the realistic upper case.

How much does a cashew processing plant cost?

Cost is driven by capacity and automation level rather than by a headline figure, so we scope it rather than list it. Cost tracks capacity and automation — we provide a costed proposal for your target.

Manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic?

It depends on your labour cost and capital. Where labour is cheap and capital tight, semi-automatic works; where scale and yield matter, fully automatic pays back through higher whole-kernel output and lower labour.

Can I upgrade a plant later?

Yes — plants are modular, so you can start semi-automatic and add automation stage by stage.

Explore more

Talk to TTQ about Cashew Nut Processing Plant

Tell us your target capacity, grades and location — we’ll come back with a costed proposal.

Request a quote Contact TTQ