Project Overview
Ecuador's food industry — bakeries, restaurant chains, processed food manufacturers — was importing 100% of its sesame oil from China and Japan, with 35–45 day ocean freight lead times. A Guayaquil food ingredient supplier identified the opportunity: Ecuador grows sesame in Manabí Province (Pacific coast) with excellent oil content (50–55%), and the domestic food industry needs consistent freshness and reliable supply — both attributes that domestic production uniquely provides.
The plant produces two grades from Manabí sesame: light sesame oil (roasted at 120°C, Lovibond colour <25Y, mild flavour for bakery and food manufacturing) and dark sesame oil (roasted at 200°C, Lovibond >160Y, intense nutty flavour for restaurant chains and premium culinary). ARCSA food grade certification covers both product lines.
Challenge
The technical challenge was precision roasting control: the difference between light (120°C) and dark (200°C) sesame is the Maillard reaction creating roasted flavour compounds. Too high and the oil becomes bitter; too low and insufficient flavour develops. A PID-controlled roaster with ±2°C accuracy is essential. The business challenge was convincing existing importers in the food industry supply chain that local production at competitive price was viable — which the freshness advantage and 24-hour delivery lead time ultimately accomplished.
Light Grade — 120°C
- Colour: <25Y Lovibond
- Flavour: Mild, clean
- Use: Bakery, food mfg
- Settling: 48h
Dark Grade — 200°C
- Colour: >160Y Lovibond
- Flavour: Intense, nutty
- Use: Restaurant, culinary
- Settling: 24h
Solution
SinoOil installed a CYJ-1.5 dual-mode roaster with Siemens PID temperature control (±2°C accuracy), switchable between 120°C (light) and 200°C (dark) profiles. Three 6YL-130 presses handle full 20 TPD throughput. Separate settling tanks for each grade (48 hours for light, 24 hours for dark — dark oil settles faster due to different viscosity characteristics). Separate plate filters and dedicated storage tanks prevent cross-contamination between grades. ARCSA Spanish SCADA maintains lot traceability for both grades.
Freshness is the core competitive advantage: the first shipment to a Guayaquil food manufacturer tested peroxide value at 0.8 meq/kg — versus the 3.5 meq/kg measured in the imported Asian oil it replaced. The food manufacturer's HACCP team accepted the change immediately on quality grounds.