ZL-PC250 PET Bottle Crusher 250kg/h for Recycling Plant | ZILLION
The ZL-PC250 is the standard pre-shredder for mid-size plastic recycling plants processing post-consumer PET bottles, HDPE containers, and other rigid plastic waste. With 250kg/h throughput and 240x200mm feed opening, it accepts full-size PET bottles (up to 2L) without pre-cutting, then delivers clean 6-12mm flakes directly to the wash tank via gravity discharge.
For a typical PET bottle-to-fiber recycling line, the ZL-PC250 is the workhorse primary crusher. It's sized for plants processing 1.5-2.5 tons/day - the typical throughput of a small-to-medium recycling operation. Larger plants (5+ tons/day) run 2-3 PC250 units in parallel or upgrade to the PC300/PC400.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | ZL-PC250 Recycling Plant |
| Motor | 4 kW continuous-duty |
| Capacity | 250 kg/h continuous (PET bottles, post-consumer) |
| Feed Opening | 240 x 200 mm (accepts full-size PET bottles up to 2L) |
| Rotating Blades | 9 pcs SKD-11 (recycling-grade) |
| Fixed Blades | 2 pcs SKD-11 |
| Screen Aperture | 8mm default (optimal for wash line) |
| Discharge | Gravity via bottom screen (to wash tank) |
| Net Weight | 210 kg (forklift-portable) |
| Noise | Max 84 dB (suitable for indoor line integration) |
| Compliance | CE, ISO 9001, IEC 60204-1 |
Based on 2024-2026 shipment data, the ZL-PC250 is most often specified by:
For these mid-size recyclers, the PC250 is the "sweet spot" capacity - large enough for 1.5-2.5 ton/day operations but affordable (USD 800) compared to the USD 5,000-15,000 European/industrial granulators designed for 5+ ton/day plants.
For a typical PET bottle-to-fiber recycling line, the ZL-PC250 sits between the bale breaker and the wash tank as the primary crusher:
| Stage | Equipment | Function | Throughput Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Bale Breaking | Hydraulic bale breaker | Breaks compressed bales into loose bottles | 500-2000 kg/h |
| 2. Metal Separation | Magnetic separator + eddy current | Removes metal caps, labels, contaminants | 500-2000 kg/h |
| 3. Crushing (ZL-PC250) | Zillion ZL-PC250 | Reduces bottles to 8mm flakes | 250 kg/h |
| 4. Wash Tank | Hot wash + friction | Removes labels, glue, contamination | 300 kg/h (oversized for surge) |
| 5. Rinse + Dewater | Friction washer + centrifuge | Final rinse and water removal | 300 kg/h |
| 6. Air Separation | Zigzag air classifier | Removes remaining label fragments | 300 kg/h |
| 7. Optical Sorting | NIR optical sorter (optional) | Separates PET from colored/other plastics | 300 kg/h |
| 8. Drying + Pelletizing | Thermal dryer + extruder | Dries flakes and extrudes into pellets | 200-250 kg/h |
The ZL-PC250 is the throughput bottleneck for the entire line. For higher throughput, run 2-3 units in parallel. For lower throughput, the smaller PC180 (150 kg/h) is more economical.
| Schedule | Hours/Day | Days/Week | Daily Output | Weekly Output | Annual Output |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 shift, 5 days/week | 8h | 5 | 2,000 kg | 10,000 kg | 520 tons |
| 1 shift, 6 days/week | 8h | 6 | 2,000 kg | 12,000 kg | 624 tons |
| 2 shifts, 5 days/week | 16h | 5 | 4,000 kg | 20,000 kg | 1,040 tons |
| 2 shifts, 6 days/week | 16h | 6 | 4,000 kg | 24,000 kg | 1,248 tons |
For recycling plants targeting 500-1000 tons/year, the ZL-PC250's 1-2 shift schedule delivers 520-1248 tons/year. For higher capacity, run multiple units in parallel or upgrade to the PC300.
Q1: Can the ZL-PC250 handle full-size PET bottles without pre-cutting?
Yes - the 240x200mm feed opening accepts PET bottles up to 2L (including 1.5L and 2L water/cola bottles) without pre-cutting. For larger containers (5L water bottles, jerry cans), we recommend the larger PC300 or PC400 with bigger feed openings.
Q2: What screen size do you recommend for PET bottle recycling?
8mm is the standard for PET bottle-to-fiber recycling lines. 8mm flakes provide the right balance between surface area (for label/contamination removal in wash tank) and bulk density (for efficient air separation and extrusion). The PC250 ships with 8mm default; 6/10/12mm available as accessories.
Q3: Can the ZL-PC250 handle HDPE containers and other plastics?
Yes - the PC250 processes HDPE (milk jugs, detergent bottles), PP (containers, caps), and other rigid plastics at 250 kg/h. The SKD-11 blades handle all common post-consumer rigid plastics. For mixed-material recycling, we recommend pre-sorting for best results.
Q4: How does the PC250 compare to the PC180 for recycling plant use?
The PC250 is 67% higher capacity (250 vs 150 kg/h) and 27% more expensive (USD 800 vs USD 630). For recycling plants processing 1.5+ tons/day, the PC250 is the better choice. For very small operations (under 1 ton/day), the PC180 is more economical.
Q5: Can the PC250 be operated continuously in a 2-shift recycling line?
Yes, the PC250 is rated S1 continuous duty and can run 16 hours/day with the recommended maintenance schedule. For 24/7 operations, additional spare parts inventory and more frequent blade rotation (every 500 hours) is recommended.
Q6: What's the recommended maintenance schedule for PET bottle recycling?
For continuous PET bottle service: daily chamber cleaning (10 min), weekly V-belt and motor check (20 min), monthly gearbox lubrication (45 min), 500-hour blade rotation (30 min), 1500-hour blade replacement (45 min). Total scheduled maintenance: 2-3 hours/week.
Q7: How long do blades last in PET bottle recycling?
For 16-24 hours/day PET bottle service, expect 1000-1500 hours per rotating blade set. With the 3-rotation blade position system, total blade life extends to 3000-4500 hours. We recommend keeping 2-3 blade sets in inventory for continuous operations.
Q8: Can the PC250 integrate with my existing recycling line?
Yes - standard 240x200mm feed opening matches most 350-400mm conveyor belt widths. Gravity discharge via bottom screen directly feeds wash tanks. We provide CAD drawings (DWG + PDF) for line integration upon request.
Q9: How do I handle contamination (metal, glass, sand) in post-consumer bottles?
We recommend a magnetic separator + eddy current separator before the PC250 to remove metal caps and labels. For glass and sand, a pre-wash stage (trommel) reduces contamination. The SKD-11 blades handle minor contamination but are not designed for large metal/glass fragments.
Q10: What's the difference between the PC250 and a granulator for recycling plant use?
Granulators (USD 5,000-15,000) offer finer crushing (3-5mm vs 8mm) and higher capacity (500-1000 kg/h), but cost 6-18x more. For most mid-size recycling plants, the PC250's 250 kg/h at 8mm is sufficient - the wash tank and downstream equipment handle the rest of the processing. Granulators are typically for 5+ ton/day plants.