| Availability: | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantity: | |||||||||
Product Description
The Air Classifier, also known as a Zig Zag Separator or Air Separation Machine, is an important separation device used in PET bottle recycling lines. It is specially designed to separate lightweight PP/PE label films from heavier PET flakes through controlled airflow and air pressure technology.
At Chenxing Machinery, we manufacture industrial-grade air classifier systems engineered for high separation efficiency, stable operation, and reliable long-term performance. Our zig zag separators help recycling plants improve PET flake purity while reducing contamination in downstream processing.
An air classifier is a pneumatic separation machine that uses airflow to separate materials according to weight and aerodynamic characteristics.
In PET bottle recycling systems, crushed PET bottles usually produce a mixed material stream containing:
PET flakes
PP/PE label films
Lightweight plastic particles
Dust and small contaminants
The air classifier effectively separates the lighter PP/PE films from the heavier PET flakes, improving recycled PET quality before washing, drying, or pelletizing processes.
Because of its zig zag internal structure, the machine is commonly referred to as a zig zag separator.
During PET bottle crushing, bottle labels are shredded together with PET material. If these lightweight films are not removed effectively, they can:
Reduce PET flake purity
Affect washing efficiency
Cause contamination during extrusion
Lower recycled PET product quality
Increase downstream processing costs
An air classifier helps recycling plants achieve cleaner PET flakes by efficiently removing lightweight plastic labels before further processing.
The mixed material stream enters a sorting chamber where a controlled upward airflow is generated.
Inside the machine:
PET flakes and PP/PE films enter the separation chamber.
High-speed airflow pushes lighter materials upward.
Lightweight PP/PE label films are carried into the collection chamber.
Heavier PET flakes fall downward by gravity.
Clean PET flakes continue to the next stage of the recycling line.
This airflow-based separation process allows continuous automatic operation with high sorting efficiency.
Effectively separates lightweight films from PET flakes, improving final recycled material purity.
Optimized airflow design ensures consistent and reliable material separation.
Suitable for large-scale industrial PET bottle recycling systems.
The system can be customized according to customer capacity requirements and recycling line configurations.
Efficient blower systems reduce operating costs while maintaining high performance.
The machine is designed for convenient cleaning and maintenance, reducing downtime.
Widely used after crushing and before washing systems to separate label films from PET flakes.
Improves material purity before hot washing and drying stages.
Suitable for separating lightweight contaminants from heavier recyclable materials.
Ideal for industrial plastic recycling facilities requiring high-purity recycled PET flakes.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Blower Motor | 5.5 KW / 7.5 KW / 11 KW |
| Rotary Valve Motor | 1.5 KW |
| Rotary Valve Diameter | Ø270mm |
| Rotary Valve Rotating Speed | 50 RPM |
Installing an air classifier in a PET bottle recycling line provides several important advantages:
Higher PET flake purity
Better separation of label films
Improved washing efficiency
Reduced downstream contamination
Increased recycled PET value
Lower maintenance costs
Enhanced automation and productivity
For modern recycling facilities, air separation technology is an essential process for producing premium-quality recycled PET materials.
Chenxing Machinery has extensive experience manufacturing plastic recycling and extrusion machinery for global customers.
We provide complete recycling system solutions tailored to:
Material type
Production capacity
Plant layout
Automation requirements
Every machine undergoes detailed inspection and testing before delivery.
Our professional team provides:
Equipment consultation
Installation guidance
Commissioning assistance
After-sales technical support
The machine is mainly used to separate PET flakes from PP/PE label films and lightweight contaminants.
Air classification improves PET flake purity by removing lightweight label materials before washing and pelletizing.
Yes. Chenxing Machinery can customize air classifier systems according to customer production requirements.
Yes. The equipment is designed for stable continuous production in industrial recycling plants.
Absolutely. It is commonly integrated into complete PET bottle washing and recycling systems.
Looking for a reliable air classifier manufacturer for your PET bottle recycling project?
Chenxing Machinery provides advanced zig zag air separation systems designed for high-efficiency plastic recycling applications worldwide.
Visit Chenxing Machinery Official Website to learn more about our recycling equipment and complete PET recycling solutions.



Quick Answer The global plastic pipe market is worth roughly USD 90.1 billion in 2026 and is growing at about 5.4% per year through 2034 (Fortune Business Insights).The fastest-growing sub-segment is data center cooling pipe, sized at USD 2.06 billion in 2026 and forecast to reach USD 6.53 billion b
Overview A twin screw extruder is the heart of most PVC processing lines, but many buyers ask the same question before investing: which production lines can it actually serve? The Chenxing SJSZ series conical twin screw extruder answers this directly. With six models from SJSZ-45 to SJSZ-92 covering
OverviewA 10L laboratory plastic mixer is the first machine most plastics processors buy when developing new formulations, testing colorants and additives, or preparing small trial batches before full-scale production. The Chenxing SHR-10A high-speed mixer offers a 10 L vessel capacity (7 L effectiv
Overview A single screw extruder is the most versatile and cost-effective machine in plastic extrusion processing. With a screw diameter of 30–200 mm, an L/D ratio of 25–40:1, motor power of 11–200 kW and output of 20–1200 kg/h, it serves pipe and hose lines, profile and sealing-strip lines, sheet a
Overview Yes — a single 3D filament extrusion line can produce PLA, ABS and PETG interchangeably, but only when the machine is correctly configured and the operator follows a disciplined changeover procedure. It is not plug-and-play: each polymer has a different extrusion temperature window, drying
Overview For plastics processors, pharmaceutical plants, electronics cleanrooms and precision manufacturing lines, dehumidification is not a "nice-to-have" — it is the difference between consistent output and rejected batches. Yet when engineers compare drying technologies, the two most common archi
Overview — What Makes a PVC Soffit Panel Extrusion Line DifferentA PVC soffit panel extrusion line differs fundamentally from a standard profile extrusion setup in that it must integrate surface texturing, multi-pattern inline punching, and precision lamination into a single continuous production se
Overview: What Is a Disc Grinding Plastic Pulverizer?A disc grinding pulverizer is an industrial milling machine that converts thermoplastic granules, flakes, or regrind into fine powder through the mechanical shear and friction generated between a pair of precision-engineered grinding discs — one s
Overview: What Is a Disc Plastic Pulverizer?A disc plastic pulverizer is an industrial grinding machine that uses a high-speed rotating knife disc to convert thermoplastic scrap — such as PVC pipes, SPC flooring offcuts, and WPC profile waste — into fine, reusable powder typically ranging from 10 to
Learn how plastic extrusion works, from single and twin screw extruders to full extrusion line setups. Discover process steps, materials, and real-world applications.
Zhangjiagang, China — June 29, 2026 — Chenxing Machinery, a leading ISO9001 and CE-certified manufacturer of plastic extrusion and recycling equipment, today welcomed a long-term African client to its Zhangjiagang production base for the factory acceptance test (FAT) of a complete PP/PE/PET dry-stri
The global plastic compounding machine market is undergoing a significant transformation. Valued at USD 445.61 million in 2025 and projected to reach USD 851.23 million by 2032 at a CAGR of 9.68%, according to Research and Markets, this sector is being reshaped by three converging forces: the automa
The global polyvinyl chloride (PVC) market reached an estimated USD 78.26 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to USD 113.33 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 4.2%, according to Fortune Business Insights. Asia Pacific alone commands 56.02% of global market share, driven by unprecedented ur
The international community's attempt to create a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution—the UN Global Plastic Treaty—has followed a turbulent trajectory. After the Busan talks (INC-5.1, 2024) failed to reach consensus, the resumed session in Geneva (INC-5.2, August 2025) again adjourned wi
The European Union's Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD)—Directive (EU) 2019/904—has transitioned from a future compliance obligation to an immediate operational reality. As of January 2025, every PET beverage bottle placed on the European Economic Area (EEA) market must contain a minimum of 25% po
The global post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics market has entered a historic growth phase. Valued at USD 73.45 billion in 2025, this market is projected to reach USD 173.09 billion by 2035, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.95%, according to research published by TowardsChem&M
The global medical tubing market is undergoing a structural expansion that no medical device manufacturer can afford to ignore. According to MarketsandMarkets, the market was valued at USD 12.53 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 18.41 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth
A practical guide for small factory owners in emerging marketsThis guide explains how a 5-to-30-person plastic factory can bring compounding in-house for under $50,000 total landed cost. You'll learn exactly which four machines you need, the realistic budget breakdown, a 14-day commissioning timelin
The EU Green Deal and dual carbon goals are reshaping chemical management. Discover how AI-powered eco-friendly dosing solutions with low-energy pumps, carbon tracking, and waste minimization are redefining sustainable manufacturing.The Green Mandate: When AI Meets Sustainability in Industrial Dosin
The automated fluid dispensing systems market is racing toward $0.17 billion at 8.70% CAGR through 2035. Explore how semiconductor packaging, flip-chip underfill, and pharmaceutical sterile filling are driving precision micro-fluid dosing innovation.The Micro-Fluid Revolution: Semiconductor and Phar

