Complete Guide to Used Plastics Processing Equipment
Plastics processing extends well beyond injection molding — extrusion, blow molding, and auxiliary equipment each serve distinct applications and require different evaluation criteria. This guide covers the full landscape of used plastics equipment, with brands, price ranges, and inspection tips drawn from 50+ years in the industry.
Key Takeaways
- 40–60% savings over new equipment make used plastics machinery a strong value when sourced from reputable dealers
- 3 extruder families: single-screw (general purpose), co-rotating twin-screw (compounding), and counter-rotating twin-screw (PVC/profile)
- 3 blow molding technologies: Extrusion (EBM), Injection (IBM), and Stretch Blow Molding (SBM) — each suited to specific applications
- Auxiliary equipment is critical: drying, cooling, granulating, and material handling directly impact part quality and cycle time
- Brand matters: Davis-Standard, Coperion, Bekum, Sidel, Conair, and Novatec are among the most respected names in the industry
Note: Price ranges in this guide are general market estimates. Meadoworks provides custom quotes on all equipment — contact us for accurate pricing on specific machines.
Extrusion Equipment
Extrusion is the second-largest plastics process by volume, producing continuous products like film, sheet, pipe, profiles, and pellets. Choosing between single-screw and twin-screw equipment is the most important decision.
Single-Screw Extruder
Most common type for general plastics processing
Co-Rotating Twin-Screw
High-performance compounding and mixing
Counter-Rotating Twin-Screw
Specialized for PVC and profile extrusion
Used Extruder Inspection Checklist
Use this checklist when evaluating any used extruder — pay particular attention to screw/barrel wear, which directly drives output quality and cost-to-recondition.
Blow Molding Equipment
Blow molding produces hollow plastic parts from bottles to large industrial containers. Three main technologies exist, each suited to different applications and materials.
Extrusion Blow Molding (EBM)
Most common for bottles and containers
Injection Blow Molding (IBM)
Precision containers with threaded necks
Stretch Blow Molding (SBM)
PET bottles for beverages and food
Blow Molding Quick Comparison
| Process | Best For | Used Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| EBM | HDPE bottles, drums, fuel tanks, industrial containers | $25k – $500k+ |
| IBM | Pharma, cosmetic, precision threaded bottles | $75k – $300k |
| SBM | PET water/soda bottles, food, personal care | $100k – $1M+ |
Essential Auxiliary Equipment
Auxiliary equipment is critical to any plastics processing operation. Proper drying, cooling, and material handling directly impact part quality, cycle times, and operational efficiency.
Drying Equipment
Chillers & Temperature Control
Granulators & Size Reduction
Material Handling
Related Plastics Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between single-screw and twin-screw extruders?
Single-screw extruders are simpler, more affordable, and ideal for basic melting and conveying of most thermoplastics. Twin-screw extruders offer superior mixing, compounding capabilities, and are essential for reactive extrusion, devolatilization, and incorporating additives. Twin-screw machines cost 2-4x more but are necessary for compounding operations.
How much does a used extruder cost?
Prices vary significantly by type and size. A used single-screw extruder (2.5-4.5 inch) typically ranges from $15,000-75,000. Twin-screw extruders start around $50,000 for smaller machines and can exceed $250,000 for large compounding lines. Complete extrusion lines with downstream equipment cost considerably more.
What should I inspect on a used blow molding machine?
Key inspection points include: parison programming system condition, mold clamp mechanism, accumulator head (for accumulator machines), extruder screw/barrel wear, hydraulic system, cooling system efficiency, and control system. Run test parts if possible and examine cycle times versus specifications.
What auxiliary equipment do I need for plastics processing?
Essential auxiliary equipment includes: material dryers (especially for hygroscopic resins), chillers for mold/process cooling, granulators for regrind, loaders for material conveying, and temperature controllers. Additional equipment may include blenders, conveyors, and robots depending on your application.
Should I buy used or new plastics equipment?
Used equipment offers 40-60% savings over new and can provide excellent value when purchased from reputable dealers. Buy used when: budget is limited, equipment is for backup/overflow, or technology is mature. Consider new when: cutting-edge technology is needed, warranty is critical, or specific configurations are required.
Find Your Plastics Processing Equipment
Browse our current inventory of used plastics processing equipment, or contact our team to discuss your specific requirements.
