In plastic recycling systems, plastics shredder and plastics granulator are both used for size reduction—but they serve very different purposes. Choosing the right machine (or the right combination) can significantly improve efficiency, safety, and final material quality.
This guide explains the key differences in a simple and practical way.
What is a Plastic Shredder?
A plastics shredder is designed for primary size reduction. It breaks down large, thick, or bulky plastic waste into rough, irregular pieces.
Typical applications
- Plastic drums and containers
- Pipes and profiles
- Pallets and crates
- Woven bags, films in bales
Key characteristics
- Low speed, high torque
- Strong tolerance to mixed or dirty materials
- Ideal as the first step in a recycling line
What Is a Plastics Granulator?
A plastics granulator is used for secondary size reduction, producing smaller and more uniform flakes.
Typical applications
- PET bottles
- Injection molding scrap
- Thin-walled rigid plastics
- Shredded material from a shredder
Key characteristics
- High-speed rotating knives
- Screen-controlled output size (usually 3–12 mm)
- Produces consistent flakes for washing or pelletizing
Side By Side Comparison
| Item | Plastics Shredder | Plastics Granulator |
| Main function | Coarse size reduction | Fine size reduction |
| Working speed | Low speed, high torque | High speed cutting |
| Output size | Large, irregular pieces | Small, uniform flakes |
| Screen used | No | Yes |
| Typical position | First stage | Second stage |
Which One Should You Choose?
- Choose a plastics shredder if you handle large, thick, or irregular plastic waste
- Choose a plastics granulator if you need uniform flakes for washing or extrusion
- Choose both if you want a stable, high-efficiency recycling line
Conclusion
A shredder is not a replacement for a granulator—and a granulator is not designed to replace a shredder. Each machine plays a specific role, and the best results come from using them where they work best.
If you’re planning a complete plastic recycling solution, combining a plastics shredder + plastics granulator is often the most reliable choice.
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