Kunststofrecyclingmachines voor 2026: een gids voor kopers over pelletiseerlijnen
This Rumtoo guide explains how modern plastic recycling (mechanical recycling/pelletizing) works, what performance metrics matter in 2026, and how to choose a line that reliably converts PCR/PIR waste into consistent pellets for downstream production.
Who this is for
Plant owners, engineers, and procurement teams evaluating film or rigid recycling capacity expansions.
What you’ll get
Process clarity, selection criteria, and a practical decision path aligned with real waste streams.
2026 focus
Higher contamination tolerance, better OEE, energy efficiency, and predictable pellet quality.
What Is Plastic Recycling (Pelletizing)?
Mechanical recycling/pelletizing converts plastic waste into uniform pellets (granules) that can be reintroduced into extrusion, injection molding, or blow molding processes. The core objective is stable melt quality, reliable filtration, and repeatable pellet geometry—especially when processing PCR streams with higher variability.
The Pelletizing Process (Step-by-Step)
- Feeding & Pre-Conditioning: Film/fluff/regrind is stabilized via densifying (often with a cutter-compactor) to achieve a steady feed rate.
- Melting & Plasticizing: The extruder screw melts and homogenizes the polymer while controlling shear and temperature.
- Degassing (Venting): Vacuum venting removes moisture and volatiles from inks, detergents, or contaminants to prevent porosity.
- Filtratie: Screen changers or melt filters remove solid impurities (paper, aluminum, wood, metal fines).
- Pelletiseren: Die-face (hot-cut) or strand pelletizing forms pellets sized for smooth downstream feeding.
- Drying & Storage: Pellets are dewatered/dried and conveyed to silos for storage or immediate reuse.
Core Components of a High-Performance Recycling Line
1) Pre-Conditioning Unit Snij-Verdichter
- Cuts, dries, and densifies light materials (PE/PP film, raffia) using friction heat.
- Stabilizes feeding to reduce surging and improve output consistency.
- Improves overall line efficiency by reducing moisture-related defects.
2) Extrusion Unit Screw + Barrel
- Optimized screw geometry for recycled polymers to control shear and melt homogeneity.
- Wear-resistant treatments help mitigate abrasion from PCR contaminants.
- Proper venting design is essential for printed or moist waste streams.
3) Filtration Unit OEE Driver
- Continuous filtration reduces stoppages from manual screen changes.
- For high contamination, advanced filtration can materially improve uptime.
- Filtration selection should match actual contaminant load and acceptable gel levels.
4) Pelletizing & Drying Samenhang
- Pellet geometry impacts feeding stability in molding/extrusion lines.
- Drying prevents clumping and improves bulk handling.
- Choose pelletizing style based on polymer type, throughput, and plant workflow.
Machine Architectures Rumtoo Builds and Supports
A practical selection starts from your waste stream (film vs rigid, PCR vs PIR, contamination level). Rumtoo commonly supports three proven architectures, each suited to different materials and operational priorities.
| Machinetype | Het beste voor | Key Advantage | Typical Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-in-1 Cutter-Compactor Integrated | PE/PP films, bags, raffia, printed flexibles | Stable feeding + efficient pre-drying, compact footprint | Match venting and filtration to ink/moisture load |
| Hopper / Side-Feeding | Rigid regrind (HDPE, PP, ABS, PS), crushed bottles | High-force feeding, robust for higher bulk density | Ensure upstream sizing and metal removal are adequate |
| Two-Stage (Cascade) | High moisture / difficult PCR with odor and volatiles | Superior stabilization, degassing, and filtration control | Higher CAPEX and complexity; justified by quality targets |
2026 Selection Criteria: What Actually Impacts ROI
Materiaalveelzijdigheid
Confirm compatibility with your waste form (film/fluff/rigid/foam) and ink coverage. Align screw design and venting to polymer behavior.
Filtration Strategy (OEE)
For PCR, filtration is often the largest driver of uptime. Choose a solution that reduces manual intervention and stoppages.
Energy Efficiency (kWh/kg)
Evaluate total line energy (including upstream drying/dewatering). Efficiency determines long-term competitiveness, not just output rate.
Degassing Performance
Poor venting creates bubbles, porosity, odor, and inconsistent density. Size the vacuum system to real moisture and volatile loads.
Spare Parts & Service
Recycling is abrasive. Minimize downtime with reliable access to screws, barrels, heaters, blades, and technical support.
Automation & Operator Load
Stable feeding and simplified operation reduce labor risk and quality variance—particularly when running multiple shifts.
Rumtoo Recommendations: Match the Line to Your Waste Stream
Clean Factory Film (PIR): Fast ROI, Simple Operation
- Preferred architecture: 3-in-1 cutter-compactor integrated recycling line
- Why it works: densifies light film for stable feeding and high efficiency
- Decision trigger: you want immediate closed-loop reuse with minimal process steps
Contaminated PCR Film: Stability + Uptime Priority
- Preferred architecture: 3-in-1 or two-stage line with upgraded filtration and venting
- Why it works: stronger degassing reduces porosity; filtration improves OEE
- Decision trigger: frequent screen changes or pellet defects are hurting productivity
Rigid Regrind (HDPE/PP/ABS): Feeding Robustness
- Preferred architecture: hopper or side-feeding extruder configuration
- Why it works: handles higher bulk density and consistent regrind flow
- Decision trigger: you have stable upstream crushing and metal separation
High Moisture / Hard-to-Process Waste: Quality Target First
- Preferred architecture: two-stage (cascade) system
- Why it works: improved degassing and stabilization for difficult streams
- Decision trigger: you need premium pellet quality and low defect rates
Decision Guide (Fast)
- If your material is film/fluff: start with cutter-compactor integrated lines, then size venting + filtration to contamination.
- If your material is rigid regrind: prioritize feeding robustness and upstream metal removal.
- If your defects are bubbles/porosity: your bottleneck is degassing, not output rate.
- If your downtime is screen changes: your bottleneck is filtration strategy and melt cleanliness.
FAQ
Which machine is best for clean factory film waste?
How do we handle heavily contaminated PCR plastics?
How do I evaluate energy efficiency fairly?
What spare parts matter most for uptime?
Share material photos/video, contamination notes, moisture condition, target output (kg/h), and pellet size. Rumtoo can propose a configuration and quotation.
Editorial note: This page is designed as a practical engineering guide. Actual line configuration should be finalized based on material sampling results, contamination profile, moisture condition, and required end-use standards.
