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
Melhor para: basic size reduction + local collection
Shredder/Crusher + basic conveying (no washing/pelletizing)
Varal
Typical: $80k–$250k
Melhor para: PET / PP / HDPE with contamination
Stages depend on labels, glue, oil/sand, hot-wash needs
Complete line (to pellets)
Typical: $150k–$300k
Melhor para: selling stable-grade pellets
Filtration level + degassing + automation drive cost most
Insights de Investimento Chave
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.
Compreendendo o Mercado de Máquinas de Reciclagem de Plástico
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).
Tipos de Máquinas de Reciclagem de Plástico e Seus Intervalos de Preços
Equipamentos de Britagem
Single-shaft shredder for film & bags (specs & options)
Preço: $3,000 – $15,000
Capacidade: 50-500 kg/hora
Melhor para: Plásticos macios como filmes e sacos
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
Preço: $20,000 – $100,000
Capacidade: 500-5,000 kg/hora
Melhor para: Plásticos rígidos e fluxos de resíduos mistos
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.
Sistemas de Lavagem e Separação
| Tipo de Sistema | Preço (USD) | Capacidade de Processamento | Principais características |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unidades de Lavagem Compactas | $15.000 – $50.000 | 200-1,000 kg/hora | Limpeza básica, classificação manual |
| Linhas de Lavagem Automatizadas | $50,000 – $200,000 | 1,000-3,000 kg/hora | Limpeza de estágio múltiplo, separação por densidade |
| Sistemas de Lavagem Industriais | $200,000 – $1,000,000 | 3,000-15,000 kg/hora | Separação avançada, reciclagem de água |
Recommended next step: compare complete recycling solutions by material .
Equipamentos de Pelotização e Extrusão
Single-screw pelletizing machine for standard flakes
Preço: $10,000 – $80,000
Melhor para: 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
Preço: $80,000 – $250,000
Melhor para: 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
| Material | Typical Workflow | Must-have Modules | Main Cost Drivers | Best “Next Click” |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garrafas PET | 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 |
| Filme de LDPE | 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 |
| Sacos de tecido PP | 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.
Análise de Investimento em Planta de Reciclagem Completa
Operações Pequenas (500-2,000 toneladas/ano)
Despesa de Investimento
- Custo de Equipamentos: $50,000 – $200,000
- Requisitos de Instalação: 500 – 2,000 pés quadrados
- Potencial de Receita Anual: 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.
Operações de Médio Porte (5,000-15,000 toneladas/ano)
Vantagens
- Melhor eficiência de processamento
- Melhores economias de escala
- More automation options
- Múltiplos fluxos de produtos
- Stronger cost control per ton
Considerações
- Requisitos de capital mais altos ($300,000-$800,000)
- Necessidades de instalação maiores (5,000-20,000 pés quadrados)
- Operações mais complexas
- Maior conformidade regulatória
- Maior exposição ao risco de mercado
Operações de Escala Industrial (20,000+ toneladas/ano)
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
- Controle de qualidade integrado to meet premium buyer requirements
- Water/energy optimization to reduce operating costs
- Scalable modular sections for capacity expansion
Fatores Críticos que Afetam os Preços de Equipamentos
Requisitos de Capacidade e Capacidade de Tráfego
Processing capacity correlates strongly with equipment cost because higher throughput requires stronger rotors, higher-power drives, heavier frames, and more robust safety/control systems.
Nível de Automatização e Integração de Tecnologia
Automation features that can improve efficiency and reduce labor costs include:
- Optical/advanced sorting: added cost, higher purity output
- Sistemas de controle PLC: higher initial cost, easier operation & stability
- Monitoring & maintenance planning: reduces downtime through scheduled servicing
Reputação da Marca e Origem da Fabricação
| Origem do Equipamento | Typical Price Position | Principais vantagens | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fabricantes Europeus | Premium | Tecnologia avançada, construção robusta | High automation & stringent output requirements |
| Fabricantes Chineses | Valor | Custo-benefício, personalização rápida | Best ROI when specs are well-defined |
| Fabricantes Norte-Americanos | 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
- Tempo de inatividade: maintenance intervals and spare parts availability
- Mão de Obra: sorting intensity + automation level
Modelos de Geração de Receita
Recycling operations typically generate revenue through one or more streams:
- Flakes/pellets sales: price depends heavily on purity and consistency
- Taxas de processamento de resíduos: depends on local collection economics
- Byproduct streams: separate valuable fractions when possible
Prazo de Recuperação do Investimento
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.
Quadro de Decisão de Seleção de Equipamentos
Processo de Seleção Passo a Passo
- Definir Requisitos de Processamento: 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
- Planejar para Escalabilidade: modular expansion and upgrade path
Qualidade vs. Custos Considerações
Initial price matters, but TCO determines profitability. Better-matched equipment often delivers:
- Lower downtime: stable output and predictable maintenance
- Melhor qualidade de saída: 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)
- Capacidade alvo (kg/h)
- 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.
Conclusão
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.
