XINYI MACHINERY
NEWS
What Motor Power (in kW or HP) is Recommended for a Plastic Crusher Designed to Crush PET Water Bottles?
Jan,17,2026

Selecting the correct motor power for a PET bottle crusher is critical for efficiency, cost, and longevity. As a leading manufacturer, XINYI MACHINERY would typically recommend a motor size based on several key factors.

For crushing PET water bottles, the recommended motor power among 30KW, 45KW, and 55KW is most commonly 45KW (≈60 HP) for standard industrial applications. However, the "right" choice depends entirely on your specific operational requirements.

Here’s a breakdown to guide your decision:

Key Factors Determining Motor Power:

Throughput Capacity (kg/hour):

Low Volume (< 300-500 kg/hr): A 30KW (≈40 HP) crusher might be sufficient for smaller operations, such as a medium-sized hotel, supermarket backroom, or a small bottling plant.

Medium to High Volume (500 - 1500+ kg/hr): This is the most common range for dedicated recycling centers, MRFs (Material Recovery Facilities), and large bottling plants. 45KW (≈60 HP) is the industry workhorse for this duty, offering a great balance of power, output, and energy consumption.

Very High Volume / Continuous Duty (> 1500 kg/hr): For large-scale recycling facilities running multiple shifts, a 55KW (≈75 HP) or even larger machine is necessary to handle the constant feed and prevent motor strain.

Desired Output Size and Crusher Type:

Rough Crush (larger flakes): Requires less power. If you just need to compact volume for baling, a lower power might suffice.

Fine Flake (small, clean flakes for washing lines): Requires more torque and power to achieve a consistent, small size. This is critical for high-quality recycling.

Single-Shaft vs. Double-Shaft: A robust single-shaft crusher with a rotary screen for size control is standard for PET. 45KW is typical for a medium-to-large single-shaft machine. Double-shaft shredders (for pre-shredding baled bottles or very contaminated streams) often require higher power, like 55KW.

Feed Condition:

Loose Bottles: Easier to crush.

Baled Bottles: If you are feeding whole bales into a primary shredder, you will need significantly more power and a different machine type (like a heavy-duty double-shaft shredder). 55KW would be a minimum for this demanding task.

With/Without Caps & Labels: While PET crushers are designed to handle some contamination, a heavy stream of full bottles with caps (HDPE/LDPE) adds load.

Crucial Advice from a Manufacturer's Perspective:

Consult with XINYI MACHINERY Directly: Provide them with your specific details:

Target hourly/daily tonnage.

Input material state (loose, baled, with caps?).

Desired flake size (e.g., 12mm, 20mm screen).

Future plans (it's often wise to spec for slightly higher capacity than current needs).

Undersizing is Costly: A motor that's too small will struggle, overheat, trip breakers, produce inconsistent output, and wear out rapidly.

Oversizing has Drawbacks: A motor that's too large has higher upfront cost, higher energy consumption, and may not operate at its optimal efficiency point if underloaded.

Conclusion:
For a standard, efficient plastic crusher designed to crush loose PET water bottles at an industrial scale, 45KW is the most commonly recommended and versatile choice. Start your evaluation with this specification and adjust up to 55KW if your throughput is very high or down to 30KW if your volume is confirmed to be low.

As an expert supplier, XINYI MACHINERY can help you finalize the exact model and power rating based on a detailed understanding of your operation to ensure optimal performance and return on investment.