Protein and weight
The efficiency of machine and determined formula pellets quality can predominantly be predicted on protein content and weight. Ingredients with high protein content become plastic (warmth effected) and in consequence high quality of pellets is achieved.

High density ingredients or feeds make possible to achieve high efficiency. When an ingredient or feed contain lots of natural protein and have high density we can expect high efficiency and high quality of pellets; but when there is low protein content and high density we can expect high efficiency but worse quality. Pelleted maize is an example.

Ingredients or feed with high protein content and low density results good pellets quality, but lower efficiency. For example: crushed ears of maize with wheat grains, cotton seed shells, wheat gluten meal.

Weight of raw materials is an important factor determining the efficiency of pelleting press.
Light material, with high fibre content results the less production (efficiency)

Milling / Crushing / Grinding
Small particles
Fine milling to small particles we achieve higher density and following benefits:

1. better quality
2. increase of production efficiency
3. increase of volume density
4. higher HP efficiency
5. longer matrix life

Particularly important is that steam penetrates small particles, makes them softer and more plastic but is not able to go into large ones. Besides large particles can cause cracks in pellets. It is recommended to use the sieves with mesh diameter smaller then 3 mm in hammer mills.

By means of finely milling the efficiency of pelleting press increases and less power is used to pelleting. It's worth to mention that milling, reducing wipe properties of material, results increase of matrixes life.

Fiber
Fiber decreases productive efficiency of pelleting press, because it's difficult to compress fiber into pellet. However at the same time, thanks to natural bindings appeared in fiber high quality pellets is obtained.

Fat
"Fat content" means both natural and supplemented fat concentration. Both natural and supplemented fat contribute to increase of productive efficiency. However excessive fat concentration (usually not more then 2%) can show negative effect on pellet's quality. Supplemented fat can be derived from animal and vegetable.