Plastic Granulator Machines for Recycling & In-House Regrind
Wet, rigid, vertical, PET-bottle, and integrated shredder-granulator machines from 100 kg/h to 2,000 kg/h. SKD-11 blades, custom screen sizes, direct from the manufacturer.
What a Plastic Granulator Does and Where It Sits in Your Line
A plastic granulator is the precision size-reducer that turns scrap into uniform regrind for extrusion, pelletizing, washing, or resale.
A plastic granulator reduces runners, sprues, defective parts, bottles, film, pipe, and sheet into uniform regrind granules, typically 4-18 mm. Where a shredder tears large items into coarse strips at high torque and low rpm, and a pelletizer turns molten polymer into round pellets, the granulator sits between them with high-speed rotors, tool-steel blades, and a sizing screen that defines final particle size. For injection-molding shops, a beside-the-press granulator reclaims hot runners in-line. For recycling plants, a central granulator downstream of a shredder produces the regrind that feeds a washing line, extruder, or pelletizer. For machine comparisons, see our shredder vs. granulator vs. pelletizer guide or read how a plastic granulator works. Planning a turnkey project? Start with our line-level Recycling Solutions.
Core Advantages of Our Crusher & Granulator Series
Model range, cutting geometry, usability, construction, and control logic are matched to your material and target regrind quality.
Versatile Model Range
From compact units to large-scale machines for wet and dry materials, PET, PVC, and bulky rigid plastics.
High-Performance Cutting
Specialized rotors including V-cut and claw-blade designs, combined with durable D2 steel knives, improve size reduction and output uniformity.
Engineered for Usability
Easy-access chambers, adjustable blades, and modular sieves simplify daily operation and maintenance.
Robust Construction
Heavy-duty frames and quality components support long service life when processing tough rigid and contaminated material streams.
Smart Control Ready
Optional PLC integration supports automated feeding, overload protection, and synchronized line operation control.
Explore Our Crusher & Granulator Lineup
Choose the model family by feed size, contamination level, rotor style, and target output.
Small Crusher Machine
An efficient and versatile solution with adjustable blades and a modular sieve for modern recycling operations.
Integrated Shredder-Granulator
Combines high-performance shredding and precise granulation in one compact machine for diverse materials.
Vertical Granulator for PVC Pipes & Window Profiles
Heavy-duty feeding for long pipes and profiles without pre-cutting, improving safety and efficiency.
Wet Plastic Granulator
Cleans while granulating, ideal for wet or contaminated plastic waste and cleaner particles.
Lead Ingot Cold Cutting Machine
A safer, fume-free way to produce lead granules by transforming solid ingots without melting.
Extra Large Rigid Plastic Granulator
Tackles bulky waste like drums, crates, and pallets, turning them into uniform high-value regrind.
Plastic Tray & PVC Sheet Horizontal Crusher
Designed for flat bulky plastics with horizontal feeding for stable processing and uniform regrind.
Technical Parameters (Standard Series)
Typical examples for the standard plastic granulator series. Final configuration depends on material, throughput, and target flake size.
| Model | Motor (kW) | Moving Blades | Fixed Blades | Rotor (mm) | Feed Opening (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC400 | 15 | 12 | 2 | 380×400 | 400×320 |
| PC500 | 22 | 18 | 2 | 380×500 | 500×320 |
| PC600 | 30 | 24 | 4 | 450×600 | 600×450 |
| PC800 | 45 | 30 | 4 | 580×800 | 800×550 |
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Note: machines can be customized to your material and output requirements.
How to Choose the Right Plastic Granulator in 4 Questions
Use these four checks to narrow the machine type before sizing the rotor, motor, screen, and blade steel.
1. What is your feedstock?
Bottles and film: wet or PET-flake granulator. Rigid lumps and purging: heavy-duty rigid. Long pipe and profile: vertical. Mixed or unsorted bulky scrap: integrated shredder-granulator.
2. What throughput do you need?
Beside-the-press reclaim: 50-200 kg/h. Mid-scale recycling: 300-900 kg/h. Central plant: 1,500-2,000 kg/h. Size 20% above peak to protect the motor.
3. What regrind size do you need?
Extruder feed: 6-10 mm. Pellet line: 8-14 mm. Resale as flake: 10-18 mm. See our screen size guide.
4. Dirty or clean feed?
Clean scrap: standard D2 or SKD-11 blades. Labeled bottles or film with sand: wet granulator plus stainless hopper. Glass-filled or fiber-reinforced scrap: CPM-10V or carbide.
Prefer the long form? Read the complete granulator selection guide →
Granulator vs. Shredder vs. Grinder vs. Pelletizer
All four reduce plastic at different stages, rpm ranges, and output sizes.
| Shredder | Granulator | Grinder / Pulverizer | Pelletizer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Input Size | Up to 2 m | Up to 800 mm | Regrind granules | Regrind granules |
| Output Size | 20-100 mm | 4-18 mm | 0.1-1 mm powder | 2-4 mm pellets |
| RPM | 20-120 | 400-800 | 3,000-6,000 | 30-60 |
| Torque | Very high | Medium | Low | High (screw) |
| Typical Use | Initial size reduction | Second-stage / in-house | PVC and rotomolding powder | Final reprocessing |
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Where Energycle Granulators Run Every Day
Granulators are sized around the real feedstock, contamination level, and downstream process.
PET Bottle Recycling
Hot-washed PET flake production, 8-14 mm output feeding food-grade pellet lines. See PET line case study →
HDPE Drums & IBC
Heavy-duty rigid granulator with oversized hopper for IBC totes, HDPE drums, and blow-molded purging up to 800 mm.
PP Woven Bags & Film
Wet granulator with anti-wrap rotor for LDPE film, PP woven bags, and agricultural film.
PVC Pipe & Profile
Vertical granulator processes 6-meter PVC pipe and window profile without pre-cutting.
In-House Runner Reclaim
Beside-the-press PC400 reclaims sprues and runners hot, in-line with injection molding.
Fiber-Reinforced Plastic
Reinforced rotors with CPM-10V or carbide-tipped blades for glass-filled PA, PBT, and composite scrap.
Granulator Blades & Wear Parts
Blades are the number one consumable on any granulator. Choose the right steel and plan a sharpening cycle from day one.
Replacement Granulator Blades
Rotor and bed knives in SKD-11, DC53, and CPM-10V. HRC 58-62. Custom lengths for any rotor diameter.
SharpeningAutomatic Knife Grinder
Resharpen granulator blades to ≤0.03 mm precision. 6-10 re-grinds per blade set before replacement.
GuideSelecting Granulator Blades
Match blade steel, bevel angle, and hardness to your plastic feedstock.
Cost AnalysisBlade Material vs. Cost
When premium steel pays back, and when D2 is the right answer.
Keep Every Granulator Running at Peak Output
A simple maintenance rhythm protects output, energy cost, and regrind consistency.
Knife clearance – weekly
Rotor-to-bed knife gap should stay within 0.15-0.30 mm. A gap above 0.5 mm wastes 15-25% of motor energy and tears plastic instead of cutting.
Screen inspection
Replace bent or worn screens. Holes elongated beyond 110% let oversize regrind through. See how screen size affects quality.
Resharpen, do not replace
Tool-steel blades can be reground 6-10 times. An automatic grinder pays for itself within one blade set.
Bearing & belt schedule
Grease bearings every 500 hours and retension V-belts every 200 hours. See our maintenance and troubleshooting guides.
Plastic Granulator – Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers for cost, machine type, screen size, blade life, power draw, and complete-line planning.
A beside-the-press PC400 starts around US$4,000-6,000. Mid-range PC500 to PC600 machines run US$8,000-18,000. Heavy-duty PC800 and larger machines range from US$20,000-45,000 depending on blade steel, screen quantity, and options such as wet processing, stainless construction, and PLC control. See our price factors breakdown.
Shredders run at 20-120 rpm with very high torque and tear items up to 2 m into 20-100 mm strips. Granulators run at 400-800 rpm and cut those strips, or smaller scrap, into uniform 4-18 mm regrind through a screen. Most recycling plants use both in sequence.
Wet granulators spray water through the cutting chamber to wash labels, dirt, and sand off the regrind in one step, which is important for post-consumer PET bottles and agricultural film. Dry granulators are simpler, cheaper, and sufficient for clean in-house scrap such as runners, purging, and industrial offcuts.
Use 6-10 mm for direct extrusion, 8-14 mm for pellet lines, and 10-18 mm for resale flake. Smaller screens produce finer regrind but reduce throughput by 20-40% and increase blade wear. Full breakdown in our screen size guide.
Common types include beside-the-press granulators, central granulators, heavy-duty rigid granulators, wet granulators, vertical granulators for pipes and profiles, PET bottle granulators, and integrated shredder-granulator machines.
For clean plastic, SKD-11 and DC53 deliver about 1.3-1.8 times the edge life of D2. For glass-filled or fiber-reinforced feed, CPM-10V lasts 2-3 times longer. For abrasive or metal-contaminated feed, tungsten-carbide-tipped blades are often the only practical option.
Typical specific energy is 0.05-0.12 kWh per kg of plastic, depending on material hardness and regrind size. A PC600 rated 30 kW usually draws 15-25 kW under normal load. Dull blades can push energy use to 0.15+ kWh/kg.
For clean PP/PE, sharpen every 150-300 operating hours. For PET bottles with labels, sharpen every 80-150 hours. For fiber-reinforced composites, sharpen every 40-80 hours. A single blade set usually delivers 6-10 sharpening cycles before replacement.
Yes. We engineer full recycling lines around feedstock, contamination level, target output, and plant layout. Granulator selection is matched to the required flake size and downstream process, including washing, drying, or pelletizing.
Get a Custom Solution & Quote
To get latest prices, lead times, and a crusher or granulator matched to your material and target flake size, send us your requirements. If you need a full line from shredding to washing, drying, and pelletizing, start with Recycling Solutions.
Tell us what you need
Material type, target kg/h, preferred flake size, wet or dry process, and whether this is a standalone machine or part of a complete recycling line.
Granulator Guides & Technical Resources
Further reading for machine selection, screen size, maintenance, troubleshooting, and blade life.
How Does a Plastic Granulator Work?
Understand the rotor, knives, screen, feed opening, and output controls.
How to Choose the Right Granulator
Match feedstock, throughput, regrind size, and blade material.
Granulator Maintenance Guide
Keep knives, screens, bearings, and belts in reliable condition.
Troubleshooting: Blockage & Noise
Diagnose common issues before they reduce output or damage components.
Screen Size Selection Guide
Understand how screen hole size affects throughput and regrind quality.
Blade Selection for Peak Efficiency
Compare blade steels, hardness, bevel angle, and wear behavior.