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
Cel mai potrivit pentru: basic size reduction + local collection
Shredder/Crusher + basic conveying (no washing/pelletizing)
Sârmă de spălat
Typical: $80k–$250k
Cel mai potrivit pentru: PET / PP / HDPE with contamination
Stages depend on labels, glue, oil/sand, hot-wash needs
Complete line (to pellets)
Typical: $150k–$300k
Cel mai potrivit pentru: selling stable-grade pellets
Filtration level + degassing + automation drive cost most
Insights de Investiție Cheie
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.
Înțelegerea Pieței Mașinilor de Reciclare Plastic
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).
Tipuri de Mașini de Reciclare Plastic și Intervalurile de Preț
Echipamente de Tăiere
Single-shaft shredder for film & bags (specs & options)
Interval de Preț: $3,000 – $15,000
Capacitate: 50-500 kg/oră
Cel mai potrivit pentru: Plastice moi, cum ar fi filmele și sacii
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
Interval de Preț: $20,000 – $100,000
Capacitate: 500-5,000 kg/oră
Cel mai potrivit pentru: Plastice rigide și deșeuri mixte
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.
Sisteme de spălare și separare
| Tip de Sistem | Interval de Preț (USD) | Capacitate de procesare | Caracteristici cheie |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unități de Spălare Compacte | $15,000 – $50,000 | 200-1,000 kg/oră | Curățare de bază, sortare manuală |
| Linii de Spălare Automatizate | $50,000 – $200,000 | 1,000-3,000 kg/oră | Curățare în mai multe etape, separare prin densitate |
| Sisteme de Spălare Industriale | $200,000 – $1,000,000 | 3,000-15,000 kg/oră | Separare avansată, reciclare a apei |
Recommended next step: compare complete recycling solutions by material .
Echipamente de Pelletizare și Extrudare
Single-screw pelletizing machine for standard flakes
Interval de Preț: $10,000 – $80,000
Cel mai potrivit pentru: 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
Interval de Preț: $80,000 – $250,000
Cel mai potrivit pentru: 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” |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sticle 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 |
| Folie 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 |
| Pungi țesute din 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.
Analiza Investiției pentru Uzinele de Reciclare Completă
Operațiuni de Mică Scală (500-2,000 tone/an)
Descompunerea Investiției
- Costul Echipamentului: $50,000 – $200,000
- Cerințele pentru Instalație: 500 – 2,000 metri pătrați
- Potențialul de Venituri Anuale: 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.
Operațiuni de Mijlocie Scală (5,000-15,000 tone/an)
Avantaje
- Eficiență mai mare a procesării
- Economii de scară mai bune
- More automation options
- Fluxuri multiple de produse
- Stronger cost control per ton
Considerații
- Cerințe de capital mai mari ($300,000-$800,000)
- Nevoi de spațiu mai mari (5,000-20,000 metri pătrați)
- Operațiuni mai complexe
- Compliance mai strictă cu reglementările
- Expoziție mai mare la riscuri de piață
Operațiuni de Scală Industrială (20,000+ tone/an)
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
- Controlul calității integrat to meet premium buyer requirements
- Water/energy optimization to reduce operating costs
- Scalable modular sections for capacity expansion
Factori critici care afectează prețurile echipamentelor
Cerințele de capacitate și randament
Processing capacity correlates strongly with equipment cost because higher throughput requires stronger rotors, higher-power drives, heavier frames, and more robust safety/control systems.
Nivelul de automatizare și integrarea tehnologiei
Automation features that can improve efficiency and reduce labor costs include:
- Optical/advanced sorting: added cost, higher purity output
- Sisteme de control PLC: higher initial cost, easier operation & stability
- Monitoring & maintenance planning: reduces downtime through scheduled servicing
Reputatia mărcii și originea producției
| Originea echipamentului | Typical Price Position | Avantaje cheie | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Producători europeni | Premium | Tehnologie avansată, construcție robustă | High automation & stringent output requirements |
| Producători chinezi | Valoare | Economie de costuri, personalizare rapidă | Best ROI when specs are well-defined |
| Producători nord-americani | 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
- Timp de nefuncționare: maintenance intervals and spare parts availability
- Muncă: sorting intensity + automation level
Modele de generare a veniturilor
Recycling operations typically generate revenue through one or more streams:
- Flakes/pellets sales: price depends heavily on purity and consistency
- Taxe de procesare a deșeurilor: depends on local collection economics
- Byproduct streams: separate valuable fractions when possible
Liniile de recuperare a investițiilor
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.
Cadru de decizie pentru alegerea echipamentului
Procesul de selecție pas cu pas
- Definirea cerințelor de procesare: 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
- Planificarea escaladării: modular expansion and upgrade path
Calitatea vs. Costurile
Initial price matters, but TCO determines profitability. Better-matched equipment often delivers:
- Lower downtime: stable output and predictable maintenance
- Calitate superioară a producției: 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)
- Target capacity (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.
Concluzie
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.
