ZL-PC250 PET Bottle Crusher 250kg/h for Recycling Plant | ZILLION
Small to mid-size recycling plants processing 1,500-5,000 tonnes of PET bottles per year need crusher capacity matching their throughput targets. The ZL-PC250 PET Bottle Crusher delivers 250 kg/h throughput at 4 kW power, calibrated for PET-specific processing including label removal, density separation compatibility, and downstream wash system integration.
| Model | ZL-PC250 | Power | 4 kW (5 HP) |
| Voltage | 3-Phase 380V / 50Hz (Customizable: 220V/415V) | Motor Speed | 1480 rpm |
| Capacity | 250 kg/h | Feed Opening | 310 x 250 mm |
| Rotating Blades | 9 pcs SKD-11 | Fixed Blades | 3 pcs SKD-11 |
| Screen Hole | 6-12 mm (customizable) | Net Weight | 250 kg |
| Machine Size (L x W x H) | 950 x 550 x 1300 mm | Crushing Chamber | 340 x 270 mm |
| Material Compatibility | PET, PP, PE, PVC, ABS, PS | Noise Level | max 82 dB |
| Warranty | 1 year (consumables excluded) | Certifications | CE / ISO 9001:2015 |
Small to mid-size recycling plants process PET bottles through 5 stages: 1) collection (bottle collection points, curbside pickup), 2) sorting (manual removal of contaminants, color separation), 3) crushing (the ZL-PC250 role, producing 8 mm flake), 4) washing (hot or cold wash system removes labels and residue), 5) extrusion (pelletizing for sale to manufacturers). The ZL-PC250's role in stage 3 determines downstream processing efficiency.
For a 3,000 tonne/year recycling plant, daily input is approximately 10 tonnes of bottles. The ZL-PC250 at 250 kg/h processes the daily input in 40 hours, leaving 24 hours of weekly throughput capacity for second-shift operation. Most plants run the ZL-PC250 for 12-16 hours daily across 5-6 days per week.
Mid-scale bottle-to-bottle closed-loop PET recycling requires integration with wash and extrusion equipment. The ZL-PC250 PET Bottle Crusher output at 8 mm screen feeds directly into a hot wash tank (USD 5,500 for 500 kg capacity) followed by an extrusion pelletizer (USD 25,000 for 150 kg/h capacity). Total closed-loop line investment: USD 32,100 including the ZL-PC250.
For mid-scale recyclers, food-grade rPET commands USD 850-1,100/tonne in the open market. At 3,000 tonnes/year input with 83% recovery (2,500 tonnes output), annual revenue is USD 2.1-2.75 million. Against USD 800,000-1,000,000 annual operating cost, net revenue is USD 1.1-1.95 million. Payback period for the full closed-loop line: 16-29 months.
Carbonated beverage bottles (Coke, Pepsi, sparkling water) have thicker walls than water bottles (0.4-0.6 mm vs 0.3-0.4 mm) to handle internal pressure. The thicker walls require more cutting energy per kg of bottle. The ZL-PC250 PET Bottle Crusher processes carbonated bottles at 200-220 kg/h (vs 250 kg/h for water bottles).
For recycling plants receiving mixed bottle streams, the ZL-PC250's 9-blade rotor geometry handles the variability. Plants processing primarily carbonated bottles (typical for soda bottling region collection) operate at 200-220 kg/h sustained throughput. Plants processing primarily water bottles achieve 250 kg/h sustained throughput.
Recycling plants debate whether to sort bottles before or after crushing. Pre-crush sorting is simpler (operator sees whole bottles, easier manual sort) but requires more floor space for sorted bottle accumulation. Post-crush sorting is faster (NIR optical sorters process flake faster than whole bottles) but requires capital investment in sorting equipment.
For mid-size plants running the ZL-PC250, the optimal workflow is pre-crush manual sorting for color and contaminant removal, followed by ZL-PC250 crushing, followed by post-crush NIR sorting for polymer purity. The ZL-PC250's 8 mm screen produces flake that feeds directly into standard NIR sorters.
Many municipalities operate bottle deposit schemes (typically USD 0.05-0.10 per bottle) that drive consumer return rates to 80-95%. Recycling plants partnered with these schemes receive a steady stream of returned bottles at predictable volumes. The ZL-PC250 PET Bottle Crusher supports municipal partnerships by providing documented throughput and quality.
For mid-size plants with municipal partnerships, the ZL-PC250's hour meter provides audit data for partnership reporting (e.g., 2,400 hours/year operation x 250 kg/h = 600 tonnes processed). Most municipalities require quarterly throughput reports; the ZL-PC250's hour meter accuracy (within 1%) exceeds audit requirements.
Mid-size recycling plants typically expand capacity by adding parallel crushers rather than upgrading single machines. The ZL-PC250 supports expansion from 1 unit (250 kg/h, 1,500 tonnes/year) to 2 units (500 kg/h, 3,000 tonnes/year) to 3 units (750 kg/h, 4,500 tonnes/year). Each PC250 operates independently, allowing staged capital investment and operational flexibility.
For recycling plants reaching 6,000+ tonnes/year, the PC600 (15 kW, 500-800 kg/h) or larger machines replace the parallel PC250 configuration. The PC250 remains the entry-level machine for new mid-size recycling plants starting with 1,500-3,000 tonnes/year capacity targets.
Q: What screen size is best for PET bottle flake?
8 mm screen for downstream sink-float separation (most common). 6 mm screen for higher purity applications (food-grade rPET requiring NIR sorting). Smaller screens (3-4 mm) reduce throughput by 30-40% without quality benefit.
Q: Can the ZL-PC250 process PET trays and clamshells?
Yes, at reduced throughput (150-180 kg/h). PET trays have lower bulk density than bottles and require different rotor geometry for clean cutting. For plants processing primarily trays, the PC300 or larger is recommended.
Q: How is PVC contamination handled?
PVC labels and cap fragments are removed by density separation (different specific gravity allows optical or sink-float separation). The ZL-PC250 output at 8 mm screen is calibrated for downstream NIR sorting that achieves <5 ppm PVC contamination.
Q: What is the typical payback period for a recycling plant ZL-PC250?
For a 3,000 tonne/year plant: 8-14 months. The ZL-PC250 represents 8-12% of total recycling plant capital cost (USD 800 of USD 10,000-15,000 total equipment cost per 3,000 tonne/year line including wash, separation, and baling).
Q: Can the ZL-PC250 be integrated with automated bottle sorting?
Yes. The ZL-PC250's standard control interface accepts start/stop signals from upstream sorting equipment. For fully automated plants, the optional PLC interface (USD 380) enables Modbus TCP communication with plant-wide control systems.