Professional food photography of cold-pressed virgin sesame oil in glass bottles on wooden surface, warm amber lighting, sesame seeds scattered, Ethiopian highlands landscape through window, artisan premium food product, editorial magazine style
20 TPD Cold-Press Sesame Oil Plant in Ethiopia
EU-compliant cold-pressed sesame oil line processing premium Humera variety — transforming raw sesame seed exports into value-added oil commanding 2.8× commodity price.
Project Overview
Ethiopia is one of the world's leading sesame producers, and the Humera variety from the Tigray region is recognized globally for its exceptional oil content (50–55%) and distinctive flavour profile. An Addis Ababa export company had been selling raw sesame seeds at commodity prices for years — capturing none of the value-added margin from oil processing.
The company's target: cold-pressed virgin sesame oil meeting European food safety requirements, sold to natural food importers in Germany, France, and the Netherlands. The key technical challenge was preserving the natural sesamol and sesamin content — the compounds responsible for sesame oil's premium shelf life and distinctive character — while achieving commercially viable throughput.
SinoOil designed a cold-press-first line with a critically important departure from standard sesame pressing practice: roasting temperature was set at 140–160°C rather than the conventional 200°C. This preserves sesamol and volatile aroma compounds that are destroyed at higher temperatures. Three 6YL-130 presses run at reduced speed to maintain cake exit temperature below 60°C — the international definition threshold for cold-pressed oil.
All oil-contact surfaces are SS316 stainless steel for EU food compliance. Natural gravity settling in SS316 tanks for 48 hours replaces a centrifuge — lower capital cost, zero contamination risk, and producing crystal-clear oil through natural sedimentation. A GMP documentation package and HACCP support were provided for EU import certification requirements.
Process Flow
Cold-press process flow designed to maximise sesamol retention and EU export compliance.
Equipment List
Full machinery list for the 20 TPD Addis Ababa cold-press sesame oil export line.
| # | Equipment | Model | Qty | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sesame cleaning screen | TQLZ40 | 1 | Removes foreign matter from Ethiopian sesame |
| 2 | Destoner | TQSx | 1 | Critical for sesame — small stones common in harvest |
| 3 | Bucket elevator | TDTG36/18 | 2 | Vertical material movement between stages |
| 4 | Low-temperature rotary roaster | CYJ-1.5 | 1 | Controlled at 140–160°C to preserve sesamin/sesamol |
| 5 | Temperature controller | — | 1 | ±5°C precision for flavour and antioxidant preservation |
| 6 | Screw oil press (cold-press spec) | 6YL-130 | 3 | ~7 TPD each at cold-press speed; cake exit <60°C |
| 7 | Gravity settling tanks (SS316) | — | 3 | 5T each, 48-hour natural settling, EU food-grade steel |
| 8 | SS316 plate filter press | BASY-320-SS | 1 | SS316 plates for EU export compliance, post-settling |
| 9 | Refined oil storage (SS, N₂ blanket) | — | 4 | 5T SS tanks with nitrogen blanket; prevents oxidation |
| 10 | GMP panel + food-grade pump system | — | 1 | EU food safety compliant, documentation support |
Results
Key outcomes from the Addis Ababa cold-press sesame export plant, measured after first export cycle.
"We were selling raw sesame seeds for years. Now we sell premium cold-pressed oil to a German natural food importer. The price per tonne of oil is nearly three times the seed price after processing costs. SinoOil understood what we needed — European compliance, not just a machine."— Export Director, Addis Ababa sesame company, Ethiopia | October 2023
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View all Africa projects →Frequently Asked Questions
Expert answers about cold-pressed sesame oil and Ethiopian export processing.
What is the difference between cold-pressed and hot-pressed sesame oil?
Cold-pressed sesame oil is extracted at temperatures below 60°C (cake exit temperature), preserving natural sesamol, sesamin, and volatile aroma compounds. It has a lighter colour, subtle natural nutty flavour, and longer shelf life due to natural antioxidants. Hot-pressed sesame oil (using roasting at 180–220°C) produces a darker, more intensely flavoured oil used in Asian cooking. Cold-pressed commands premium pricing (2–4× hot-pressed) in European and US natural food markets.
Why is Ethiopian sesame valued for oil pressing?
Ethiopia's Humera region produces Sesamum indicum varieties with 50–55% oil content — among the highest in the world. The specific soil and climate conditions produce sesame with high sesamol content (natural antioxidant) and distinctive aroma. Ethiopian sesame oil commands premium prices in European, Middle Eastern, and Japanese markets. Processing to oil locally captures significantly more value than exporting raw seeds.
Does cold-pressed sesame oil need a chemical refinery?
No. High-quality cold-pressed sesame oil from clean, properly dried sesame (moisture under 8%) does not need chemical refining. Natural settling and plate filtration are sufficient to produce export-grade clear oil. A chemical refinery would destroy the natural flavour compounds and antioxidants that create the premium value. Only lower-quality or high-FFA sesame requires refining.
What certifications are needed to export sesame oil to Europe?
For EU export, sesame oil must comply with: EC No 1333/2008 (food additives), EU Regulation 2015/2283 (novel foods if applicable), EU pesticide MRL compliance (EC 396/2005), and labelling under EU 1169/2011. A food safety management system (HACCP or ISO 22000) is strongly recommended. Our SS316 equipment and GMP plant design support HACCP implementation.
How do you control temperature for cold-press sesame oil?
Temperature control for cold-press sesame oil involves three steps: (1) Light roasting at 140–160°C in a controlled rotary drum with temperature monitoring, (2) Cooling to 80–90°C before pressing, (3) Screw press speed reduction to lower friction heat — cake exit temperature target under 60°C. We install a temperature controller on the roaster and can add an infrared thermometer on the press cake exit. The process is designed around Ethiopian sesame's specific oil and moisture content parameters.
Ready to Press Premium Sesame Oil?
Export-grade cold-press sesame oil lines from 5 TPD to 50 TPD. EU-compliant design. Free process engineering consultation included.