Plastic Recycling Machine Prices: Complete Investment Guide for 2026
2026 edition: Use this guide to estimate budget ranges, compare configurations, and then click through to the right equipment pages for detailed specs.
Plastic Recycling Machine Price Snapshot (2026)
Starter setup
Typical: $15k–$60k
Het beste voor: basic size reduction + local collection
Shredder/Crusher + basic conveying (no washing/pelletizing)
Waslijn
Typical: $80k–$250k
Het beste voor: PET / PP / HDPE with contamination
Stages depend on labels, glue, oil/sand, hot-wash needs
Complete line (to pellets)
Typical: $150k–$300k
Het beste voor: selling stable-grade pellets
Filtration level + degassing + automation drive cost most
Belangrijke Investeringsinformatie
Understanding plastic recycling machine prices is crucial for businesses entering the recycling industry. Instead of comparing “headline prices,” focus on (1) material condition, (2) capacity, and (3) required output quality. Those three factors determine the necessary process stages—and the real budget.
Het Begrijpen van de Markt voor Plastic Recycling Machines
Demand for recycling equipment continues to grow as regulations tighten and brands increase recycled-content targets. For buyers, this means more options—plus wider price variance driven by automation level, separation requirements, and the quality grade you need to sell.
With correct equipment selection and stable feedstock supply, many recycling operations can be profitable. The most consistent performers are the ones that match the process to the contamination level and control operating costs (energy, water, wear parts, and downtime).
Typen Plastic Recycling Machines en Hun Prijzen
Scheikrachtapparatuur
Single-shaft shredder for film & bags (specs & options)
Prijsbereik: $3.000 – $15.000
Capaciteit: 50-500 kg/uur
Het beste voor: Zachte plastics zoals films en zakken
Single-shaft shredders are a common entry point for flexible materials. Final performance depends on rotor design, screen size, and anti-winding measures—so configuration matters more than the “base price.”
Dual-shaft industrial shredder for rigid plastics & bulky waste
Prijsbereik: $20.000 – $100.000
Capaciteit: 500-5.000 kg/uur
Het beste voor: Rigide plastics en gemengde afvalstromen
Dual-shaft systems deliver high torque for thick-walled parts and mixed streams. Price is driven by cutter size, gearbox, frame strength, and automation/safety package.
Was- en scheidingssystemen
| Systeemtype | Prijsbereik (USD) | Verwerkingscapaciteit | Belangrijkste kenmerken |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compacte Reinigingsunits | $15.000 – $50.000 | 200-1.000 kg/uur | Basisreiniging, handmatige sortering |
| Automatische Reinigingslijnen | $50.000 – $200.000 | 1.000-3.000 kg/uur | Meervoudige reiniging, dichtheidsscheiding |
| Industriële Reinigingsystemen | $200.000 – $1.000.000 | 3.000-15.000 kg/uur | Geavanceerde scheiding, waterrecycling |
Recommended next step: compare complete recycling solutions by material .
Pelletisatie- en Extrusieapparatuur
Single-screw pelletizing machine for standard flakes
Prijsbereik: $10.000 – $80.000
Het beste voor: Relatively clean, stable feedstock
Single-screw systems are widely used for cost-effective pellet production. Budget depends on screw diameter, L/D, heater zones, filtration, and pelletizing method.
Twin-screw extruder for contaminated or blended materials
Prijsbereik: $80.000 – $250.000
Het beste voor: Higher mixing/degassing needs
Twin-screw extruders handle more difficult materials with better mixing and devolatilization. Your filtration/degassing target is the biggest driver of total line cost.
Cost by Material: Required Steps & What Changes the Price
| Materiaal | Typical Workflow | Must-have Modules | Main Cost Drivers | Best “Next Click” |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PET-flessen | Sorting → Label removal → (Hot) wash → Rinse → Dry | Label remover, hot-wash, density separation, dryer | Glue/labels, hot-wash requirement, water recycling, final moisture | PET washing & recycling solutions |
| HDPE / PP rigid | Crush → Wash → Float-sink → Dry → (Optional pelletize) | Crusher, friction wash, float-sink tank, dryer | Contamination level, separation needs, automation level | Rigid plastics recycling line |
| LDPE-folie | Shred → Pre-wash → Squeeze/Dewater → Dry → (Optional pelletize) | Single-shaft shredder, film squeezer, drying system | Moisture target, sand/soil, squeezing vs thermal drying, anti-winding | Film shredder configurations |
| PP geweven zakken | Shred → Wash → Dry → Pelletize | Shredder, washing stages, pelletizing with filtration | Ink/contamination, melt filtration level, output grade requirements | Pelletizing machine options |
Practical tip: The fastest way to control CAPEX is to match the workflow to your real contamination level and output requirement—avoid paying for stages you don’t need.
What These Prices Usually Include (and Exclude)
Included (typical)
- Main machine + standard motor & gearbox
- Basic electrical cabinet / standard controls
- Standard wear parts (varies by model)
Often excluded (confirm in quotation)
- Conveying system / silos / platforms & steel structure
- Installation & commissioning / operator training on-site
- Water recycling, wastewater treatment, dust collection
- Custom voltage/standards, certifications, spare-part packages
- Shipping, local taxes, import clearance
Pricing becomes “apples to apples” only after confirming delivery scope (EXW/FOB/CIF), automation level, and required output quality.
Volledige Investeringsanalyse voor Recyclinginstallaties
Kleine Schaal (500-2.000 ton/jaar)
Investeringsopdeling
- Apparatuurkosten: $50.000 – $200.000
- Faciliteitseisen: 500 – 2.000 vierkante meter
- Jaarlijkse omzetpotentieel: depends on local feedstock & product grade
- Typical Payback Window: often modeled at 18-36 months (case-by-case)
Small-scale plants are a practical entry point when you have stable local supply and a clear buyer for flakes/pellets. The best setups keep the process simple and focus on uptime and consistent output.
Middelgrote Schaal (5.000-15.000 ton/jaar)
Voordelen
- Hoogere verwerkingsefficiëntie
- Betere schaalvoordelen
- More automation options
- Meerdere productstromen
- Stronger cost control per ton
Overwegingen
- Hoogere kapitaalvereisten (300.000-800.000)
- Grotere faciliteitseisen (5.000-20.000 vierkante meter)
- Meer complexe operaties
- Hoogere regelgevingscompliance
- Grotere marktgevaarlijke blootstelling
Industriële Schaal (20.000+ ton/jaar)
Large-scale recycling facilities can require investments of $1-10 million depending on material complexity and automation. These operations may incorporate:
- Advanced sorting to improve separation and purity
- Geïntegreerde kwaliteitscontrole to meet premium buyer requirements
- Water/energy optimization to reduce operating costs
- Scalable modular sections for capacity expansion
Belangrijke factoren die de prijs van apparatuur beïnvloeden
Capaciteit en capaciteitsvereisten
Processing capacity correlates strongly with equipment cost because higher throughput requires stronger rotors, higher-power drives, heavier frames, and more robust safety/control systems.
Niveau van automatisering en integratie van technologie
Automation features that can improve efficiency and reduce labor costs include:
- Optical/advanced sorting: added cost, higher purity output
- PLC-besturingssystemen: higher initial cost, easier operation & stability
- Monitoring & maintenance planning: reduces downtime through scheduled servicing
Reputatie van het merk en oorsprong van de productie
| Oorsprong van het apparaat | Typical Price Position | Belangrijkste voordelen | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europese fabrikanten | Premium | Geavanceerde technologie, robuuste constructie | High automation & stringent output requirements |
| Chinese fabrikanten | Waarde | Kosten-effectief, snelle aanpassing | Best ROI when specs are well-defined |
| Noord-Amerikaanse fabrikanten | Premium-value | Local support, compliance familiarity | Projects needing local service footprint |
Financial Performance: TCO & ROI (What Matters in Real Operations)
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Checklist
- Wear parts: blades, screens, screws, heaters, bearings
- Energy per ton: depends on motor power, drying method, and separation stages
- Water management: consumption, filtration, recycling, wastewater handling
- Uitvaltijd: maintenance intervals and spare parts availability
- Arbeid: sorting intensity + automation level
Modellen voor het genereren van inkomsten
Recycling operations typically generate revenue through one or more streams:
- Flakes/pellets sales: price depends heavily on purity and consistency
- Verwerkingskosten voor afval: depends on local collection economics
- Byproduct streams: separate valuable fractions when possible
Terugverdientijd van de investering
ROI varies widely by feedstock cost, contamination level, local energy price, yield, and product grade. Most projects model payback using conservative assumptions and prioritize stable uptime over peak throughput.
Kader voor besluitvorming over apparatuurkeuze
Stapsgewijze selectieprocedure
- Definieer verwerkingsvereisten: plastic types, volume, contamination, output target
- Confirm the Workflow: only add stages that solve real problems
- Model TCO: energy + wear parts + water + downtime
- Evaluate Supplier Capability: support, training, spare parts, lead time
- Plan voor schaalbaarheid: modular expansion and upgrade path
Kwaliteit versus kostenoverwegingen
Initial price matters, but TCO determines profitability. Better-matched equipment often delivers:
- Lower downtime: stable output and predictable maintenance
- Hoogere outputkwaliteit: better buyer acceptance and pricing
- Lower unit cost: per-ton energy/water optimization
Get an Accurate Quotation (Fast)
Send 5 Inputs — Get a Precise Configuration & Quote
- Material photos + contamination (labels, sand, oil)
- Doelcapaciteit (kg/u)
- Output form (flakes or pellets) + target specs (moisture/MFI)
- Power supply (voltage/Hz)
- Delivery scope (equipment only / turnkey / installation)
We’ll respond with a recommended process flow + itemized quotation.
Conclusie
Plastic recycling equipment pricing in 2026 is best understood as “configuration-based,” not a single number. The winning approach is to match the workflow to your material and output requirements, verify what’s included, and evaluate TCO (wear parts, energy, water, downtime) before making a final investment decision.
If you share material photos, capacity, and your target output quality, we can recommend the correct process and quote an accurate, apples-to-apples configuration.
