Sourcing reliable PVC recycling equipment requires careful evaluation of your operational needs, manufacturer credentials, and long-term support capabilities. With PVC recycling rates reaching 35% in Europe,[1] proven machinery solutions are available from global manufacturers.[2][3]
Define Your Processing Requirements
Start by assessing three critical factors:
Material type – Rigid PVC (pipes, profiles, sheets) processes differently than flexible PVC (cables, flooring). Flexible materials contain 20-40% plasticizers requiring specialized temperature control.[4]
Capacity needs – Calculate your current and projected volumes. Equipment for 500 kg/hour differs fundamentally from 5,000 kg/hour systems. Build in 20-30% extra capacity for growth.
End product – Flakes (3-10mm) need basic grinding systems. Pellets (2-5mm) require complete washing, drying, and extrusion lines. Define your output before selecting equipment.
Evaluate Equipment Manufacturers
Focus on suppliers with proven track records. European manufacturers (Germany, Austria, Italy) offer advanced automation at premium prices. Chinese manufacturers provide cost-effective solutions with improving quality—verify ISO 9001 certification and request international references. North American suppliers balance technology with service accessibility.
Request critical documentation: ISO 9001:2015 certification, CE marking, material test reports, and detailed specifications including power consumption, throughput rates, and maintenance requirements.
Assess Core Processing Technology
Modern PVC recycling lines include:
Size reduction – Shredders break material into 50-150mm pieces; granulators reduce it to 5-20mm particles with interchangeable screens.
Washing systems – Remove contaminants, labels, and other polymers. Hot washing (60-80°C) produces cleaner output but increases energy costs.
Drying equipment – Mechanical dewatering removes bulk water, reducing thermal drying energy by 60-70%. Moisture must drop below 0.5% before extrusion.
Extrusion – Single-screw extruders handle 100-1,000 kg/hour. Temperature control is critical (typically 160-180°C for rigid PVC) to prevent degradation.
Prioritize After-Sales Support
Evaluate manufacturer service capabilities: response times, regional technician availability, spare parts inventory locations, and remote diagnostic capabilities. Request service level agreements specifying uptime guarantees.
Comprehensive training should include on-site instruction (minimum 3-5 days), detailed manuals in your language, and video tutorials for troubleshooting.
Calculate Total Investment
Beyond purchase price, consider shipping and customs (10-15%), installation costs, facility modifications, energy consumption (15-25% of processing costs), and ongoing maintenance. Efficient equipment typically delivers 2-4 year payback periods for facilities processing 1,000+ kg per hour.
Explore equipment financing (covering 60-80% of costs), government recycling incentives, and grants that may cover 20-40% of project expenses.
Ensure Regulatory Compliance
PVC recycling involves specific requirements due to chlorine content. Equipment must address emissions control (preventing hydrochloric acid vapors), wastewater treatment, noise levels (grinding exceeds 85 dBA), and energy efficiency standards.
Safety features should include emergency stops, protective guarding, interlocked access doors, dust collection systems, and fire suppression capabilities.
Test Before Purchasing
Request sample processing of your actual materials. Reputable manufacturers offer laboratory testing (50-100 kg samples) with detailed processing reports or pilot line trials for major investments. Evaluate output quality in your production processes before finalizing purchases.
Plan for Scalability
Choose modular systems allowing capacity increases through parallel processing lines or component upgrades. Discuss expansion pathways during initial negotiations—manufacturers often offer future upgrade discounts.
Working with Rumtoo
At Rumtoo Machinery, we design customized PVC recycling solutions for facilities from 200 to 5,000 kg per hour. Our engineering team provides waste analysis, equipment selection, installation supervision, operator training, and ongoing technical support.
Contact us to discuss your PVC recycling project and develop a solution meeting your operational and financial objectives.