Raw materials

In process engineering, raw materials serve as carriers of physical and chemical properties that significantly determine the subsequent course of the process.

Through mixing, drying, reacting or shaping, they are transformed into end products with a defined composition and structure. Raw ingredients are generally available in powder, granulated or liquid form. Powdered raw ingredients, in particular, are of central importance for many processes, as they are free-flowing, can be metered and homogenised.

Their physical properties – such as particle size, particle shape, particle size distribution, bulk density, porosity, surface energy and moisture content – directly influence process behaviour. They determine the flow properties, dosing accuracy and mixing kinetics.

Undesirable effects such as demixing, agglomeration or segregation also depend heavily on these properties. Depending on their origin (e.g. mineral, biological or synthetic), raw materials may also be chemically active or hygroscopic, which imposes further requirements on storage and handling.

In industrial formulations, numerous raw materials are often combined, some of which have vastly different densities, particle sizes and wetting properties. Typical fields of application include the production of foodstuffs, animal feed, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, building materials and battery materials. Batch homogeneity depends significantly on the consistent quality and traceability of the individual raw materials.

Precise identification and documentation of each individual raw material is therefore essential. Quality parameters are ensured through incoming goods inspections, analytical tests (e.g. laser diffraction, sieve analysis, moisture determination) and certified supply chains. Raw material logistics, comprising goods receipt, interim storage, internal transport and dosing, ensures that all materials are available at the right time in the correct quantity and quality.

In modern, often automated plants, materials are supplied via silos, containers, big-bag systems or dosing units. This ensures a consistent supply to the process lines.