ZL-PC180 PET Bottle Crusher Machine 2.2kW 120-150kg/h | ZILLION
PET bottle recycling at the small-shop level requires a crusher sized for the volume that a single retail collection point generates. The ZL-PC180 PET Bottle Crusher delivers 120-150 kg/h throughput, calibrated for the 1.38 g/cc PET density that downstream sink-float separation uses for purity sorting. For bottle collection shops, water stores, and small recycling depots, the ZL-PC180 is the workhorse machine.
| Model | ZL-PC180 | Power | 2.2 kW (3 HP) |
| Voltage | 3-Phase 380V / 50Hz (Customizable: 220V/415V) | Motor Speed | 1480 rpm |
| Capacity | 120-150 kg/h | Feed Opening | 260 x 210 mm |
| Rotating Blades | 6 pcs SKD-11 | Fixed Blades | 2 pcs SKD-11 |
| Screen Hole | 5-10 mm (customizable) | Net Weight | 130 kg |
| Machine Size (L x W x H) | 670 x 310 x 700 mm | Crushing Chamber | 280 x 230 mm |
| Material Compatibility | PET, PP, PE, PVC, ABS, PS | Noise Level | max 78 dB |
| Warranty | 1 year (consumables excluded) | Certifications | CE / ISO 9001:2015 |
PET (polyethylene terephthalate) has a density of 1.38 g/cc, which is heavier than water (1.0 g/cc) and most other common plastics. This density difference is the foundation of PET bottle recycling economics: crushed PET flake sinks in water-based separation tanks while PE/PP caps and labels float for removal. The ZL-PC180 PET Bottle Crusher produces flake at 6-8 mm screen size that works directly with sink-float separation without intermediate granulation.
For small recycling shops processing 1-3 tonnes of bottles per day, the ZL-PC180 throughput of 120-150 kg/h matches the typical sink-float tank residence time of 15-20 minutes per batch. Operating the crusher for 8-10 hours per day processes 1-1.5 tonnes of bottles, with the remaining time dedicated to collection, sorting, and baling.
For a small recycling shop processing 300 tonnes of PET bottles per year, the ZL-PC180 PET Bottle Crusher economics work as follows. Gross revenue: PET flake sales at USD 350/tonne x 250 tonnes (83% recovery after separation losses) = USD 87,500 annual. Tipping fee revenue from bottle collectors: USD 50/tonne x 300 tonnes = USD 15,000. Total gross revenue: USD 102,500.
Annual operating cost: ZL-PC180 purchase USD 630 amortized over 3 years = USD 210/year; electricity USD 440/year; blade replacement USD 160/year; labor 1 operator x USD 6,000/year = USD 6,000; overhead USD 5,000; transport USD 8,000. Total annual operating cost: USD 19,810. Net annual revenue: USD 82,690. Return on ZL-PC180 investment: 39,400%.
Closed-loop bottle-to-bottle PET recycling at small scale (200-500 tonnes/year) requires integration with a wash system and extrusion line. The ZL-PC180 PET Bottle Crusher output at 6-8 mm screen feeds directly into a hot wash tank (USD 3,500 for 200 kg capacity) followed by an extrusion pelletizer (USD 12,000 for 50 kg/h capacity). Total closed-loop line investment: USD 17,130 including the ZL-PC180.
For small recyclers pursuing closed-loop economics, the 6-8 mm flake size from the ZL-PC180 is calibrated for both hot wash (food-grade rPET) and cold wash (fiber-grade rPET). Food-grade rPET commands USD 850-1,100/tonne; fiber-grade rPET commands USD 400-600/tonne. The ZL-PC180 supports both pathways through screen selection (6 mm for food-grade, 8 mm for fiber-grade).
Small recycling shops partnering with municipal bottle collection programs generate additional revenue through landfill diversion credits. Many municipalities pay USD 30-80/tonne for verified landfill diversion of PET bottles. The ZL-PC180 PET Bottle Crusher enables small shops to participate in these programs by providing documentation of throughput and material recovery.
For a small shop processing 300 tonnes/year with municipal partnership, the landfill diversion credits add USD 9,000-24,000 annual revenue. Documentation requires: monthly throughput reports (the ZL-PC180 hour meter provides input data), quarterly material audit (recycled PET tonnage verification), and annual third-party verification (USD 500 audit fee). The ZL-PC180 hour meter accuracy is within 1%, sufficient for diversion credit documentation.
Small recycling shops often operate bottle collection at retail points (water stores, supermarkets, community centers). The collection economics favor lightweight, compact crushing equipment that can be deployed at the retail point or transported back to a central processing facility. The ZL-PC180's 130 kg weight and 670 x 310 x 700 mm dimensions allow transport in a small van or pickup truck.
For a water store processing 200 kg/day of returned bottles (typical for medium-traffic stores), the ZL-PC180 operates for 1.5-2 hours to crush the daily collection. The crushed PET occupies 60-70% less volume than whole bottles, reducing storage and transport costs. Many water stores find the ZL-PC180 pays for itself in 3-4 months through reduced waste hauling fees and bottle resale revenue.
Q: What screen size is best for food-grade rPET?
6 mm screen for hot wash + NIR (Near-Infrared) optical sorting. Smaller screens (3-4 mm) reduce throughput by 30-40% and produce excessive fines. The ZL-PC180 with 6 mm screen is calibrated for the standard food-grade rPET wash systems.
Q: Can the machine crush PET trays and clamshells?
Yes, but at reduced throughput (60-80 kg/h vs 120-150 kg/h for bottles). PET trays have lower bulk density and require different rotor geometry for clean cutting. For high-volume tray recycling, the PC250 or PC300 is recommended.
Q: How is PVC contamination removed?
PVC labels and cap fragments are removed by density separation (PVC sinks with PET, but different specific gravity allows optical sorting to distinguish). The ZL-PC180 output at 6 mm screen is calibrated for downstream NIR sorting that achieves <5 ppm PVC contamination.
Q: What about colored PET (green, blue bottles)?
Colored PET is processed at the same throughput but commands lower market prices (USD 200-400/tonne vs USD 350-500/tonne for clear PET). For small recyclers processing mixed colors, the ZL-PC180 is the cost-effective choice; dedicated color sorting equipment (USD 25,000+) is only justified at 1,000+ tonnes/year throughput.
Q: Is the machine suitable for community recycling programs?
Yes. The compact frame and simple controls make the ZL-PC180 ideal for community recycling centers. Many community programs purchase the ZL-PC180 through municipal grants or cooperative purchasing arrangements. The low USD 630 price point is within reach of most community recycling budgets.