Introduction
Plastic recycling machine cost is one of the most searched but most misunderstood topics in the recycling industry. Buyers often receive widely different quotations for what looks like the same line, then struggle to compare offers objectively.
This guide explains how much plastic recycling machines cost in 2026, what drives those differences, and how to evaluate quotes using a total-cost-of-ownership (TCO) lens. It is written for plant owners, investors, procurement teams, and technical managers planning mechanical recycling projects.
Data note (as of February 6, 2026): price benchmarks below are compiled from public English-language supplier guides, line quotation pages, and marketplace references. They are planning ranges, not fixed offers.
How to Read Plastic Recycling Machine Prices Correctly
Before comparing numbers, confirm the same commercial boundary:
- Price basis: EXW, FOB, CIF, or delivered-and-installed
- Scope: standalone machine vs integrated line
- Utilities: whether water treatment, chillers, and electrical cabinets are included
- Commissioning: installation, startup, training, and after-sales support
- Feedstock assumptions: polymer type, contamination level, moisture, and bale density
Most pricing confusion happens when these boundaries are not aligned.
Plastic Recycling Is a System, Not a Single Machine
A typical process flow includes:
- Size reduction (shredding/crushing)
- Cleaning (washing and separation)
- Drying and conveying
- Melt processing (pelletizing, when pellet output is required)
- Auxiliary handling (storage, dosing, packaging)
Each stage affects capex, yield, product consistency, and operating cost.
2026 Price Benchmarks by Machine Type (USD)
The following planning ranges reflect common industrial configurations seen in the 2025-2026 market:
| Machine Category | Typical Capacity Band | Planning Price Range (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Single/dual-shaft shredder | small to industrial | 3,000 – 100,000 |
| Granulator | entry to high-capacity | 5,000 – 50,000 |
| Extruder/pelletizer (standalone) | small to industrial | 10,000 – 250,000 |
| Washing unit/system | compact to full-scale | 15,000 – 500,000 |
| Integrated recycling line | basic to high-capacity | 50,000 – 2,000,000 |
Important: low-end marketplace prices usually refer to single machines or minimal configurations. Full commercial lines require a much higher budget once utilities, automation, and quality control are included.
2026 Line-Level Benchmarks by Throughput
For buyers planning complete systems, throughput-based ranges are more useful than generic equipment labels.
| Line Type | Nominal Capacity | Typical 2026 Range (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Starter pre-processing line (shred + basic wash) | 100-300 kg/h | 60,000 – 180,000 |
| Commercial washing line (PET/PP/PE) | 500-800 kg/h | 180,000 – 250,000+ |
| Commercial washing line | 1,000-1,500 kg/h | 227,000 – 320,000 |
| Commercial washing line | 2,000-2,500 kg/h | 350,000 – 420,000 |
| Commercial washing line | 3,000-4,000 kg/h | 500,000 – 750,000 |
| Complete line to pellets (integrated) | mid to high capacity | 150,000 – 500,000+ |
Exact pricing depends on contamination level, hot-wash requirement, filtration level, degassing, and automation architecture.
Hidden Costs Buyers Often Miss
- Freight, insurance, customs duty, and inland transport
- Civil works: foundations, drainage, trenching, steel platforms
- Electrical infrastructure: transformer, cables, switchgear
- Water loop: tanks, filtration, sludge handling, wastewater compliance
- Spare parts and wear sets: blades, screens, heaters, filters
- Startup losses and trial material during commissioning
- Operator training and preventive maintenance systems
In practice, these items can materially increase first-year cash outlay beyond headline machine price.
Use a TCO Model, Not Just Purchase Price
For objective supplier comparison, model cost per ton of saleable output:
- Power cost: installed kW x load factor x runtime x electricity tariff
- Water and treatment cost: make-up water + discharge compliance
- Labor cost: operators per shift x shifts/day
- Maintenance cost: wear parts + planned service downtime
- Yield loss: reject rate and moisture/contamination losses
The lowest capex quote is often not the lowest cost per ton over 3-5 years.
How Feedstock Changes Machine Cost
- PET bottles: usually need stronger washing, label removal, and stricter drying control
- Film (LDPE/LLDPE): requires anti-wrapping design, squeeze drying, and moisture control before pelletizing
- Rigid mixed plastics: often need stronger pre-sorting, metal removal, and robust shredding torque
- High contamination streams: increase wash stages, water treatment load, and operating cost
Always request quotes against your actual feedstock profile, not generic polymer labels.
RFQ Checklist for Accurate Quotations
- Target throughput (kg/h) and annual operating hours
- Feedstock photos/videos + contamination percentage
- Target output (flakes or pellets) and quality specs
- Required automation level and staffing plan
- Utility limits: power, water, compressed air, floor space
- Commercial terms: EXW/FOB/CIF, lead time, warranty, payment milestones
- Scope boundary: installation, commissioning, training, spare package
Using a structured RFQ prevents misleadingly low quotes and speeds technical alignment.
Common Investment Mistakes
- Comparing offers with different scope boundaries
- Buying for peak nameplate capacity without considering stable throughput
- Ignoring utility and wastewater engineering until late-stage deployment
- Underbudgeting spare parts and preventive maintenance
- Choosing equipment only by capex, without cost-per-ton analysis
Conclusion
Plastic recycling machine cost in 2026 ranges from a few thousand dollars for basic standalone units to several hundred thousand dollars (or more) for commercial integrated lines. The right investment decision depends on feedstock, throughput, output quality, and lifecycle economics.
If you evaluate suppliers with a clear scope boundary and TCO model, you can avoid under-specification, reduce commissioning risk, and build a line that remains profitable as market conditions change.
Next step: prepare a specification-based RFQ and request at least three comparable quotations under the same technical assumptions.
FAQ: Plastic Recycling Machine Cost
How much does a plastic recycling machine cost in 2026?
Standalone machines can start from around USD 3,000-15,000, while integrated commercial lines commonly range from USD 50,000 to 500,000+, with high-capacity projects reaching much higher.
What is the typical cost of a PET washing line?
Public 2026 references show PET washing lines around USD 180,000-250,000 (500-800 kg/h), USD 227,000-320,000 (1,000-1,500 kg/h), and up to USD 500,000-750,000 (3,000-4,000 kg/h), depending on configuration and scope.
Why are two quotations with similar capacity very different?
Differences usually come from scope boundary (machine-only vs turnkey), automation level, material quality, filtration/hot-wash stages, and included services such as installation and commissioning.
Is a lower machine price always better?
No. Lower capex may increase power use, downtime, reject rate, and maintenance cost. The key metric is long-term cost per ton of saleable product.
How many quotes should I collect before buying?
At least three technical-comparable quotes are recommended. Use one RFQ template and keep feedstock assumptions and scope boundaries identical across suppliers.
