A 1000 kg/h PE PP plastic film washing line is designed to turn contaminated post-consumer or industrial film waste into clean, dry flakes or agglomerated material for downstream pelletizing. The stated capacity is a project target rather than a guarantee for every feedstock. Real output depends on bulk density, moisture, soil, labels, organic residue, film thickness and the percentage of non-PE/PP material in the incoming waste.
Sanxing Machine configures each line around the customer’s actual material. Agricultural film with soil and sand requires a different washing strategy from clean packaging film, stretch film, woven bags or raffia. This guide explains the complete process, the main equipment choices and the information a recycler should prepare before requesting a quotation.
What materials can a PE PP film washing line process?
The system is suitable for flexible polyolefin waste when the feedstock has been sorted and evaluated. Typical materials include:
- LDPE and LLDPE agricultural film
- Greenhouse and mulch film
- Post-consumer packaging film and shopping bags
- Stretch film and shrink film
- PP woven bags, jumbo bags and raffia
- Suitable factory edge trim and production scrap
Mixed materials can be processed only when the separation plan and final quality target are clear. PVC, PET, nylon, metals, stones and excessive paper can reduce output quality or damage downstream equipment. Feedstock photos, samples and a contamination estimate are therefore essential during line design.
How the 1000 kg/h washing process works
1. Feeding, opening and pre-sorting
Baled film is opened and transferred to a sorting stage. Oversized contamination, metal and unsuitable polymers should be removed before size reduction. A controlled feeding system helps prevent sudden load changes and keeps downstream machines working more consistently.
2. Shredding or wet crushing
Film is reduced to a manageable size for washing. The choice between a shredder, crusher or combined arrangement depends on film thickness, winding risk, bale density and contamination. Wet crushing can begin loosening dirt while reducing dust and preparing the material for separation.
3. Pre-washing and heavy-contaminant removal
A pre-washer or friction stage removes loose soil, sand, paper and organic residue. Agricultural film often needs stronger pre-cleaning and wear-resistant equipment because mineral contamination is abrasive. Removing heavy contaminants early protects later machines and reduces unnecessary water loading.
4. Friction washing and separation
High-speed friction washing scrubs the film surface and separates loosened contamination. Sink-float tanks or other separation equipment can remove materials with different densities. The number and arrangement of washing stages should match the required output cleanliness rather than follow a fixed standard layout.
5. Rinsing, squeezing and drying
After washing, the film passes through rinsing and mechanical dewatering. A film squeezing dryer removes water and compacts the low-bulk-density material, improving storage and making feeding into a plastic pelletizing line more stable. Thermal drying can be added where lower residual moisture is required.
What determines whether the line can reach 1000 kg/h?
Throughput should be evaluated using the real input material. Thin, wet agricultural film occupies more volume and may carry more contamination than washed industrial scrap. The following variables have the greatest influence:
- Loose-film bulk density and bale density
- Incoming moisture and soil percentage
- Percentage of labels, paper, metal and non-target polymers
- Required final cleanliness and moisture
- Manual versus automatic sorting
- Water temperature and washing chemistry
- Operator consistency and maintenance condition
For this reason, Sanxing recommends defining both an input-capacity target and an expected usable-output target. A material trial or representative sample analysis provides a more reliable basis for equipment sizing.
Water circulation and wastewater planning
A practical washing project must consider water as part of the process, not as an afterthought. Settling, screening, filtration and recirculation can reduce fresh-water demand and keep washing conditions more stable. The correct treatment system depends on contamination type, local discharge requirements and whether hot washing chemicals are used.
The customer should confirm available water supply, drainage conditions, wastewater limits and space for tanks or treatment equipment before the final layout is approved. Sanxing can coordinate equipment interfaces, while final environmental compliance remains subject to local engineering and regulations.
Expected output and downstream use
The output may be clean film flakes, squeezed material or dried agglomerated material. Final moisture, contamination and bulk density depend on the confirmed machine configuration and input condition. The washed material can be sent to extrusion and pelletizing for the production of recycled PE or PP pellets used in suitable non-food applications.
If the final objective is stable pellets, the washing line and pelletizing line should be engineered together. Moisture control, feeding behavior, filtration demand and melt quality are closely connected.
How to specify a reliable film washing project
Before requesting a proposal, prepare the following information:
- Clear photos and video of the raw material
- Polymer type and known mixture ratio
- Source of the waste and major contaminants
- Current moisture, soil and metal content if known
- Required input and output capacity
- Target final moisture and downstream application
- Workshop dimensions, power supply, water and steam availability
- Required automation level and labor conditions
This information allows the equipment list, motor power, water system and workshop layout to be developed around real production needs.
Frequently asked questions
Can one line wash both PE film and PP woven bags?
It can be configured for both, but the cutting behavior, density, contamination and drying requirements are different. Sanxing should review the expected material mix before confirming the equipment.
Does 1000 kg/h refer to dirty input or clean output?
Capacity definitions must be confirmed in the proposal. Contaminants and water are removed during processing, so clean usable output can be lower than the incoming gross weight.
Can the washed film go directly into a pelletizing line?
Yes, when moisture, particle size and feeding stability meet the pelletizing system’s requirements. A squeezing and densifying stage is commonly used before extrusion.
How can I obtain an accurate quotation?
Send Lisa material photos, target capacity, desired output and utility information through the Sanxing contact page. We will recommend a project-specific washing and recycling configuration.
Daily operation and preventive maintenance
Stable washing performance depends on regular inspection rather than capacity alone. Operators should monitor feed consistency, motor load, water condition, screen blockage, bearing temperature and vibration. Crusher knives and screens require scheduled inspection because worn cutting parts increase fines, reduce throughput and raise power consumption. Friction-washer screens, tank discharge points and pipework should also be cleaned before accumulated labels or sediment restrict material flow.
Water quality should be recorded during production. Excess suspended solids or unstable chemical concentration can transfer contamination from one batch to another. Establishing a routine for tank cleaning, sediment removal, chemical dosing and water replacement helps keep output consistent. Spare wear parts should be selected during project planning so normal maintenance does not create long production stops.
After commissioning, record input weight, contamination, working hours, clean output, moisture and electricity use for representative batches. These production records make it easier to identify changes in raw material and adjust feeding, washing intensity or drying conditions. They also provide a more realistic basis for calculating usable yield and operating cost per tonne.