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----------------------------------------------------------{ April 17, 2008 }Researching the Optimal Fiber Size
There's a lot of room for proper fiber sizing in the mulch industry. At Amerimulch’s Customer Tribute and Technical Conference, we released internal research found from over 100 samples collected from around the country. The research team’s goal was to find the optimal size mulch for the Industry. Size that would meet the demands of the market yet help producers becomes more profitable. After extensive research the Amerimulch team found that the optimal size for mulch is from 5/16” to 1”. For our research, mulch fines were defined as 5/16” and under and any fiber 1” and larger were considered overs.
In trying to produce the optimal texture, producers are generating more fines. The research found that the national average mulch producer’s raw uncolored product was 41% fines which is an extremely high percentage. It found the average targeted size or optimal size was at 49% and the overs averaged 10% of their product.
Surprisingly we found a large variance from region to region. Below is a chart of the five different regions and what your regions average weight per yard is and the average percentage of Fines, Optimal Size, and Overs per yard of mulch. Weight per yard vary on greenwood vs. pallet, but not as dramatic as the high percentage on fines.
| Average | South | West | Central | Northeast | Midwest |
| Fines | 44% | 32% | 35% | 46% | 43% |
| Optimal size | 42% | 53% | 51% | 48% | 46% |
| Overs | 14% | 15% | 14% | 6% | 11% |
| Weight per yard (lbs.) | 356 | 290 | 400 | 35 | 315 |
Producers who strive for optimal-size mulch reap greater profits because the product's volume isn't as compact as fines and requires less water to color, which reduces its weight. Regrinding of targeted (optimal sizing) material, and lack of screening in the industry there’s a significant portion of our industry that’s grinding their mulch to fine. That results in a product that contains more volume and weight than necessary and absorbs a greater amount of water to color their fiber. Not to mention the impact the weight has on freight and how much heavier the loads have become because of the fines. All of which means less profit for the producer.
The quest to produce the optimal size mulch, zero percentage overs, less than 10% fines and 85-95% optimal sized product is real for all mulch manufacturing companies. To be cost effective the processing systems need to be adjusted. We recommend that you screen to size and only regrind overs. Review options on what screen sizes and shapes are being used in the grinding and screening process. We provide a list of industry partners on our website who can help with these cost saving changes.
The research team isn’t finish yet, we will continue to collect samples of raw fiber and expand our research into the color mulch samples. If you would like your fiber samples tested or want results from your samples, please contact Amerimulch or your account manager.
Posted at 11:46 AM | Link to this Article