A PET bottle washing line is a system used for cleaning and recycling PET plastic(polyethylene terephthalate) from PET bottles to PET flakes.
PET bottle washing lines are typically divided into two main types: cold washing lines and hot washing lines.
As the names suggest, the key difference between these two types of washing lines is the temperature of the water used in the washing process.
In a cold washing line, the water used is at room temperature or slightly chilled.
This has several advantages, including reduced energy consumption, reduced risk of heat damage to the bottles, and increased effectiveness at removing certain types of contaminants.
In a hot washing line, the water is heated to a high temperature by hot washer. This can be more effective at removing certain types of contaminants, such as bacteria and pathogens.
It can also help to dissolve and remove stubborn stains and residues from the bottles.

Cold PET bottle washing line and hot PET washing line, how to choose?

Cold PET bottle washing lines and hot PET bottle washing lines both have their own advantages and disadvantages.
The key difference between the two is the temperature of the water used in the washing process. In a cold washing line, the water is at room temperature or slightly chilled, while in a hot washing line, the water is heated to a high temperature.

One advantage of a cold PET bottle washing line is that it is more energy-efficient than a hot washing line.
The use of cold water reduces the amount of energy needed to operate the washing line, making it more environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
Another advantage of a cold PET bottles washing line is that it is less likely to cause heat damage to the PET bottles. This is especially important for bottles that have been exposed to high temperatures, such as those that have been stored in a hot warehouse or transported in a hot truck.
A disadvantage of a cold PET bottle washing line is that it may not be as effective at removing certain types of contaminants, such as bacteria and pathogens. This can result in lower quality and purity of the recycled PET.
In contrast, one advantage of a hot PET bottle washing line is that it is more effective at removing certain types of contaminants, such as bacteria and pathogens. This can result in high quality PET flakes and purity of the recycled PET plastic.
Another advantage of a hot PET bottle washing line is that it can help to dissolve and remove stubborn stains and residues from the bottles. This can be especially useful for bottles that have been used to store particularly dirty or sticky substances.
A disadvantage of a hot PET bottle washing line is that it is less energy-efficient than a cold washing line. The use of hot water requires more energy, which can increase the operating costs of the washing line.
Overall, the choice between a cold PET bottle washing lines and a hot PET bottle recycling lines should be based on a thorough analysis of the specific contaminants and impurities present in the bottles being recycled, as well as the desired quality and purity of the resulting recycled material.
What equipment is required for cold PET bottle recycling line?
A cold PET bottle recycling washing line typically requires a range of specialized equipment to clean and process the bottles. This equipment may include:
1. Belt conveyor

A conveyor belt to transport the bottles to the de-labeling machine.
2. De-labeling machine

De-labeling machine will decalcify the label on the bottles.
3. Belt conveyor

The PET bottles with labels removed are then transported by belt conveyor to the crusher machine for crushing.
4. Plastic crusher machine

Plastic crusher machine crushes the PET bottles into thin PET flakes of about 12-20mm in size.
5. Screw feeder

The crushed PET flakes are fed through a screw feeder to the first rinsing tank for rinsing
6. The first Rinsing tank


In this first rinsing tank, the bottle caps and other impurities flakes will float on the water surface and be removed by the material rake on the rinsing tank.
The PET flakes will be submerged in the water and the sinking pet flakes transferred to the next rinsing tank by the spiral at the bottom of the rinsing tank for secondary washing.
7. The second rinsing tank

The PET flakes enters the second rinsing tank for secondary washing to get clean pet flakes.
8. Centrifugal dewatering machine


After the secondary washing, the PET flakes are fed through a screw feeder into the next centrifugal dewatering machine.
9. Drying system

The drained PET flakes then enter the hot pipe drying system with hot air to dry and remove moisture to get dry pet flakes.
10. Zig-zag label remover machine

Then into the Zig-zag label remover machine to reject the unprocessed trademark paper.
11. Blowing & Silo System

Finally, flakes are collected and bagged through the blowing & silo system.



In addition to these core pieces of equipment, a cold PET bottle washing line may also require other support systems, such as friction washer, thermal dryer separate collection tank, large storage tank, power and water supply systems, waste management systems, and safety and environmental controls.
Overall, the specific equipment required for a cold PET bottle washing line will depend on the specific needs and requirements of the facility.
The right equipment selection will depend on factors such as the volume of bottles being processed, the desired quality and purity of the recycled material, and the available space and budget.

One Response
Very beautifully explained Mr. Matthew, Thank you for taking your valuable time to write this blog and I wanted start an unit in India, If you give me an idea of how vast this industry and how do you see PET Flakes market in next ten years. I am very excited to get in touch with you.