---
title: The 5 Keys To Contract Drying Services I CPS
description: Knowing the 5 keys to contract drying services can help you choose the right toll processor for your material drying needs.
---

[Blog | Custom Processing Services ](https://www.customprocessingservices.com/blog)

# [The 5 Keys To Contract Drying Services I CPS](https://www.customprocessingservices.com/blog/contract-drying-services-what-you-should-know)

 Written by [Justin Klinger](https://www.customprocessingservices.com/blog/author/justin-klinger) | May 22, 2020 1:29:58 PM

Is your company in this spot?

You’ve developed a great product...so far. It just requires some help with a critical part of the production process — **drying**. So you’re looking to outsource that task using a company with specialized drying equipment, dedicated facilities, and skilled labor.

However, you have no idea how to find them. So, like any modern American, you begin your search by Googling “**Contract Drying Services**.” Well...it’s a start!

So, you find dozens of [**toll processors** (a company that handles outsourcing services)](https://www.customprocessingservices.com/what-is-toll-processing), yet none clearly stand out; maybe because you’re not exactly sure what **toll drying method** is best for your drying needs.

This article will walk you through the process of **finding** an experienced, reliable toll processor to provide you with the **right** contract drying services. First things first...

## What is a Toll Processor?

Before diving into contract drying services, let’s briefly review toll processing. 

We’ve tackled this question [in a previous article](https://www.customprocessingservices.com/blog/toll-processing-101-what-you-need-to-know), but here are the basics: a toll processor’s **experience** in processing many materials provides clients with process suggestions, **insights** on challenges, and specific **formula advice** to reach exact physical and chemical compositions.

**One** of the services toll processors offer is **drying**. Others likely include milling/grinding, blending, extraction, extrusion, separation, and more.

Whatever service is performed, the right toll processor customizes formats, coordinates logistics, increases efficiency, enhances quality, reduces headaches, **saves money**, and more. Yes, a toll processor can be a real life-saver...if you **choose wisely**; picking the wrong toll processor for drying can have long-term negative consequences in both product quality as well as your bottom line.

OK, now let’s explore contract drying services specifically and cover the **5 keys** you need to know.

## 1. Material Considerations

To help narrow down what type of drying method to use (and who should do it), the initial focus should be on the **material** itself.

First, look at the **size** of the individual particles being dried and the material’s **density**, which affects how it moves through a dryer. Second, determine the starting **moisture** percentage and the ending moisture percentage goal; the water weight to be dried is used to choose the dryer size.

Some materials, upon reaching a certain temperature, react to **heat**, which could be melting or burning or creating a chemical reaction. This will determine if the dryer needs to be large and slow, meaning a lower temperature is needed to dry it, or if quick, high heat is possible.

Next, consider if the material is **sludgy** and/or **sticky**, needing to be forced through the dryer, and if the material is **fragile** or **abrasive**. Now, think about the **quantity** of material expected; can dryers handle running continuously or is batching needed?

The right toll processor will work to **examine** all of these material considerations. Only then will you feel good that your decision on your contract drying service partner is the **correct** one and that you’re using the best toll drying method to meet your **required** moisture specification.

## 2. Material Testing

This could be the **most important** key. The only sure way to know if a material is right for a **dryer** is to test a sample. And the only way to be certain that your **quality** and **quantity** requirements will be met is if the drying method is properly tested, too.

Here’s an example: An operator **examines** the physical properties of the sludge material knowing it needs to be small enough to disperse and convey throughout the dryer. After seeing the desired **moisture percentage goal**, the operator calculates the dryer’s ability to handle and heat the material. After the material is run through a dryer, the operator uses a table-top device to calculate the sample’s **moisture content**.

Testing the material on the drying equipment ensures that the **process** properly takes the wet, beginning material and produces a dry, final product that nails moisture specifications.

## 3. Drying Methods

There are several ways to potentially dry a material, and it’s easy to get confused about all of the available **drying methods**. Toll processors’ contract drying services rely on various industrial drying equipment (more on those below), which dry in different ways.

The **flash drying **process uses low-pressure jets of hot air to reduce moisture, break down the material’s size (to within specification), and provide deagglomeration. A **recirculating loop** produces dry, discrete particles from powders, centrifuge cakes, or slurry feed. [Read this article for more details](https://www.customprocessingservices.com/blog/what-is-flash-drying-within-custom-toll-processing) on flash drying.

**Fluidized bed drying** subjects solid particles to conditions that cause them to behave like a fluid. When air flows through a perforated distributor plate, it supports the particles (larger than 50 microns) and dries them. 

Similar to the other two methods, **spray drying** uses suspended particle processing. The difference: when the liquid is sprayed through a nozzle, it forms tiny droplets, which are hit with hot air, causing them to dry.

## 4. Equipment

When you work with a toll processor for your contract drying needs, you may not be too concerned about the **drying equipment** they’re using. As long as the material is dried correctly, right?

Sure, but it’s always a good idea to get familiar with the equipment so you can **properly evaluate** a toll processor. You need to know that your **capacity** will be met and your **quality** standards upheld.

For instance, a 6-inch **flash dryer** handles 3- to 4-truckload quantities, while large-volume jobs require a flash dryer as large as 14-inch. Also, look for **fluidized bed** drying equipment that’s fully adjustable, with a large drying temperature range that can maintain product particle size and shape.

As dedicated as the toll processor may seem, without the right equipment, you won’t meet your goals.

## 5. Choosing a Partner

Here’s a thought: your toll processor is likely the final **quality control gatekeeper** between your product and your customer. Quality isn’t something you can sacrifice, so take a long look at this **list of measures** that reflect a toll processor’s drying performance.

- The ability to meet **moisture specifications**; after all, that’s what drying is all about
- Material that arrives **contamination-free**; by nature, toll processors are obsessed with cleanliness
- [**Certifications**](https://www.customprocessingservices.com/blog/toll-processor-certifications) mean a lot; being ISO 9001:2015-compliant, following cGMP guidelines, knowing FSMA standards, being PCO-certified...any reputable toll processor will have these and more
- The ability to **trace product** from arrival through departure is standard procedure for any worthy toll processor; make sure yours can do that
- An understanding of **all drying techniques**; choose a toll processor that has mastered many drying methods
- Pride in **delivering material** consistently on time and within quality packaging and at the quoted price

Reviewing a toll processor’s quality control **procedures** is important, yet having a **discussion** about their company values and priorities could tell you even more. You’ll get a good feel if they’ll be just a supplier or a **true partner**.

Now, you’ve got a great start in choosing **contract drying services** that meet your quality, budget, and delivery needs. You know the right **toll processor** gives you a huge and immediate advantage, but are you wondering how toll manufacturing is similar or different than contract manufacturing? Read our guide, [Differences Between Toll Manufacturing & Contract Manufacturing](https://www.customprocessingservices.com/differences-between-toll-manufacturing-contract-manufacturing-cps). Just click the image below to get access.

[View full post](https://www.customprocessingservices.com/blog/contract-drying-services-what-you-should-know)

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