8 Industries That Benefit Most from Toll Processing Services
Toll processing might not be something you think about every day, but it plays a big role in many industries. It helps all types of businesses handle materials without the need for expensive equipment or extra space.
What is Toll Processing?
Simply put, toll processing is when businesses outsource material processing to companies with the equipment and expertise to handle it. Instead of spending money on specialized machinery or training, they let toll processors take care of milling, blending, drying, and other tasks. It’s a practical way to get things done without the hassle of doing it all in-house.
How Toll Processors Power Different Industries
It might seem like a behind-the-scenes operation, but it’s essential for producing the materials that industries rely on every day. By outsourcing tasks like grinding, blending, or sizing, businesses can stay focused on their core operations while ensuring their materials are handled by experts. Here’s how third-party processing supports and shapes products across various industries.
1. Mineral
The mineral industry depends on toll processing to handle the demands of refining raw materials into usable forms. Minerals like limestone, bauxite, and clay are ground into specific particle sizes for applications in construction, ceramics, and metallurgy. This ensures consistent quality and compatibility with downstream uses (such as blending minerals into cements or processing ores for extraction).
Toll processing also helps reduce the need for expensive milling equipment and streamlines production for companies working with large-scale mineral outputs.
2. Chemical
Next up, the chemical industry demands precise control over the processing of raw materials like powders and chemicals. Custom processing in this field often involves techniques such as milling, blending, drying, and sizing to meet exact specifications. Chemical companies often rely on toll processors to handle the specialized tasks of reducing particle sizes or creating custom chemical formulations.
Examples of Materials Processed:
- Soda Ash
- Sodium Bicarbonate
- Lime
- Calcium Carbonate
- Magnesium Carbonate
- Silica
- Polymers and Resins
- Fertilizers
- Pigments
- Chemical Intermediates
By partnering with a toll processing provider, chemical manufacturers can access the expertise (and equipment) needed to produce high-quality products without the need to invest in expensive machinery/additional production capacity.
3. Industrial
In industrial manufacturing, processing services get raw materials ready for things like construction or chemical production. Processes like grinding, milling, and blending make sure materials are shaped just right for their specific use, whether it’s for strong building products or consistent chemicals.
Outsourcing these tasks to toll processors frees up resources for manufacturers to focus on production. With the ability to handle bulk powders, granules, and even liquids, toll processing supports smooth operations and workflows in industrial settings.
4. Animal Feed
Did you know that in the animal feed industry, third-party processing is responsible for creating nutritious and efficient feed blends? Techniques like grinding and blending ensure that ingredients like grains, protein meals, and minerals are evenly mixed and at the right particle size for better digestion and feed conversion.
Toll processing allows feed manufacturers to scale their operations without investing in expensive equipment. It also makes it easier to experiment with custom formulations/specialty feeds tailored to different livestock needs. From poultry to cattle, outsourced processing helps ensure animals get balanced, high-quality nutrition
5. Pharmaceuticals
The pharmaceutical world depends on precision. Medications need the right particle sizes to work, and processing services make that possible. Processes like micronization create ultra-fine powders that are necessary for many drugs.
Example: An over-the-counter pain reliever may require uniform particle sizes for consistent dosage in each pill.
6. Food and Beverage
Food production relies on toll processing to handle milling, grinding, and blending tasks that ensure ingredients are uniform and ready for manufacturing. For instance, grains can be milled to specific textures for baking, while spices can be ground and blended into seasonings. This kind of processing also helps achieve consistency in food products, which is crucial for maintaining flavor and quality.
According to Food Industry Executive, 55% of food companies are outsourcing more manufacturing today than they did three years ago.
7. Battery Materials
The battery industry relies heavily on outsourced processing to prepare essential materials for modern energy storage. Processing graphite, anode materials, and cathode materials must meet the stringent demands of lithium-ion battery manufacturing.
Contract manufacturing partners specialize in achieving the exact particle size, purity, and consistency needed for these components to function in batteries. This approach supports innovation in energy technology while helping out manufacturers.
8. Cosmetics
In the cosmetics industry, toll processing is used to create the powders and blends that go into everything from makeup to skincare products. Pigments, minerals, and other raw materials are milled and blended to achieve the fine, consistent textures needed for smooth application. This kind of precision is also important for ensuring that cosmetic products meet safety and performance standards.
Example: A cosmetics company may use toll processing for creating ultra-fine mica powders for eyeshadows and foundations.
Get to Know M&M Milling
At M&M Milling, we specialize in powder processing solutions that serve a wide range of industries. Outsourcing your processing will reduce costs and improve your product quality in no time. Let our team help you streamline your operations with our full range of custom processing and material handling services.
Contact us today to learn more about M&M Milling!