If you want to turn bales of post-consumer bottles into clean flakes ready for recycling, a modular PET washing line covers the whole path, from the bale of dirty PET to washed and dried flakes. The system takes the bottles, sorts them, shreds them, and washes them hot, delivering PET flakes with no labels, no caps, and no impurities, the feedstock for pelletizing, sheet, or fiber.
The modular construction lets a PET washing line adapt to different materials (HDPE, PP, PS, ABS, PC, or PET) and to capacities from 1,000 up to 6,000 kg/h. It sits at the start of any recycling flow, where the quality of the washing decides the quality of the whole process. See where it integrates in the full range of PET recycling equipment.
Key Advantages of a PET Bottle Washing Line
• Modular construction, a PET washing line is configured in stages, adapting to the material's characteristics and the required capacity, from 1,000 to 6,000 kg/h.
• Optical sorting on whole bottles, separation of foreign materials happens before shredding, so impurities are removed from the flow as early as possible.
• Label and cap removal, the system detaches the labels and separates the caps automatically, for a clean PET flake free of other contaminants.
• Efficient hot washing, hot washing dissolves adhesives, grease, and odors, the basis of a flake suitable even for demanding applications.
• Optical sorting of flakes, after shredding, the flakes are optically sorted once more, raising the final purity of the washed material.
• Multi-material, the same platform processes HDPE, PP, PS, ABS, PC, and PET, which expands the types of waste you can valorize.
• Water treatment options, inline alkaline solution dosing and a water reuse and purification system, for reduced consumption and environmental compliance.
• Immediately sellable flakes, washed and dried PET flakes sell directly or feed your own pelletizing, shortening the payback of the investment.
Technical Specifications, PET Washing Line
| Model | Capacity (kg/h) | Installed power (kW) | Steam (kg/h) | Water consumption (t/h) | Space (m²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PET 1000 | 1,000 | 385 | 500 | 2–3 | 1,200 |
| PET 2000 | 2,000 | 520 | 800 | 4–6 | 1,400 |
| PET 3000 | 3,000 | 720 | 1,000 | 6–8 | 2,200 |
| PET 6000 | 6,000 | 1,180 | 1,600 | 10–12 | 2,600 |
The data above are the catalog values for the four standard PET washing line configurations. Steam, water, and energy consumption per processed kilogram decrease as capacity increases, and the required floor area is planned according to the chosen model and the water treatment options. On request, we also size the line for intermediate capacities or for spaces with siting constraints, keeping the same washing and sorting modules proven in production.
Applications and Industries for a PET Bottle Recycling Line
A PET washing line primarily serves recyclers of post-consumer PET packaging, who receive bales of mixed bottles and must deliver clean flakes. The washed flakes then go to pelletizing for food-grade product, to sheet extrusion, or to fiber spinning. For a recycler, the quality of the washing decides whether the flake sells at a high price or remains low-value goods.
Waste-processing equipment is strictly regulated in the European Union; a PET washing line delivered in Europe meets the safety requirements of Directive 2006/42/EC on machinery.
Beyond dedicated recyclers, a PET washing line is also useful to producers who want to recycle their own packaging waste or secure the feedstock for in-house pelletizing. The flexibility across multiple materials (HDPE, PP, PS, ABS, PC, and PET) allows valorizing a mixed waste flow, not just PET bottles. For those who sell flakes by the ton, a high-performance PET washing line with double optical sorting directly raises the selling price of the material.
As the requirements for recycled content in packaging become ever stricter, the ability to produce clean, traceable, and consistent flakes becomes a real commercial advantage. Brands in retail and the beverage industry look for suppliers who can prove the quality of the recycled material, and a properly sized washing installation opens exactly these contracts, instead of limiting you to selling raw goods at a low price.
Compatible Materials
The modular platform is designed to adapt to the different characteristics of plastics, not just PET. This means the same PET washing line, properly configured, can process several types of waste, which increases the utilization of the investment. The quality of the flakes depends on the condition of the incoming material and the washing options chosen.
| Accepted material | Notes |
|---|---|
| PET (post-consumer bottles) | The main application, flakes for pelletizing / sheet / fiber |
| HDPE | Bottles and rigid packaging |
| PP | Polypropylene packaging and parts |
| PS | Polystyrene from packaging |
| ABS / PC | Technical waste, with dedicated configuration |
How It Works
The flow on a PET washing line is continuous and automated, from the bale of bottles to the dried flake:
1. The bales of bottles are opened, and the material is dispersed and transported evenly toward the first stage.
2. Impurities are pre-treated, and optical sorting on whole bottles removes foreign objects from the flow.
3. The labels are removed and the caps separated, to avoid contaminating the flakes.
4. The bottles are shredded into flakes, with the size adjusted according to the final product.
5. The flakes go through washing, including hot washing, which dissolves adhesives, grease, and odors.
6. After drying, the flakes are optically sorted once more and discharged clean, ready for recycling.
Optionally, the system includes inline alkaline-solution dosing and a water purification and reuse module, which reduces consumption and helps with environmental compliance. A continuously monitored PET washing line maintains consistent flake quality and quickly brings new operators to stable results, a real advantage in plants with staff turnover.
Frequently Asked Questions
What quality are the flakes produced by a PET washing line?
The flakes come out clean, with no labels, no caps, and no impurities, thanks to double optical sorting and hot washing. The quality is sufficient for food-grade pelletizing, sheet extrusion, or fiber spinning. In practice, a well-configured PET washing line delivers washed PET flakes ready for sale or for further processing, without intermediate cleaning steps.
What capacities are available?
There are four standard configurations: PET 1000, PET 2000, PET 3000, and PET 6000, with capacities from 1,000 up to 6,000 kg/h. Installed power ranges from 385 kW to 1,180 kW, and water consumption from 2–3 t/h to 10–12 t/h. The modular construction also allows intermediate solutions, precisely matched to your material volume.
What materials can it process, besides PET?
The platform is multi-material and adapts to HDPE, PP, PS, ABS, PC, and PET. This means that a properly configured PET washing line can valorize a mixed flow of plastic waste, not just PET bottles, which increases the utilization of the investment and the flexibility depending on the material available on the market.
Is the delivered equipment new?
Yes. We deliver new, unused equipment, built to order, not refurbished units. The construction uses components from established suppliers, with CE marking where applicable, and every unit undergoes a complete inspection before shipping. You receive the technical documentation and operating manuals in your language, for a commissioning without surprises and predictable long-term operation.
What makes URSTAG a premium brand?
European design, top-tier components and experience. Every machine is designed by our engineering teams in Europe and built from components by industry leaders such as Siemens, Schneider Electric, ABB, WEG, SEW-Eurodrive, NORD Drivesystems and Bonfiglioli. The result is reliable, energy-efficient and durable equipment, backed by over 15 years of experience and by delivery, installation, training and service included.
How long does installation and commissioning take?
Transport, commissioning, and operator training are included and carried out by a local team, in your language. Before shipping, the line undergoes a free inspection, so your unit becomes operational quickly, with no hidden installation costs.
Why URSTAG?
URSTAG is a premium brand of recycling equipment, with over 15 years of experience. You don't just get a machine, you get a solution engineered by specialists, built from top-tier components and backed by a team that supports you from design through commissioning.
• European engineering, every machine and every complete line is designed by our engineering teams in Europe, with a focus on reliability, safety and energy efficiency.
• Premium components, we build on motors and automation from industry leaders: Siemens, Schneider Electric, ABB, WEG, SEW-Eurodrive, NORD Drivesystems and Bonfiglioli.
• Over 15 years of experience, we know how materials and machines behave in real-world operation, and we configure each solution for your flow and volume.
• New equipment, configured for you, we supply new units, made to order for your application, with complete technical documentation.
• Delivery, installation and training included, we handle transport, commissioning and operator training, with support throughout the equipment's life.
As a premium brand, URSTAG relies on European engineering, top-tier components and experience. You choose a partner that supports your production long term, with equipment built to run reliably in demanding industrial environments.
