In plastic recycling and compounding industries, pelletizing is a critical step that determines final granule quality, handling efficiency, and downstream processing stability.
Among different pelletizing technologies, the Water Strand Pelletizing Line (also known as Dry Strands Cutting Pelletizing Line) remains one of the most widely adopted solutions due to its simple structure, stable operation, and cost-effectiveness.
This article explains what a water strand pelletizing line is, how it works, its technical parameters, and why it is still a reliable choice for PP, PE, PET, and engineering plastics.
A Water Strand Pelletizing Line is a plastic pelletizing system in which molten polymer is extruded into continuous strands, cooled in a water tank, dried, and then cut into uniform pellets by a strand pellet cutter.
Unlike underwater pelletizing systems, cutting takes place after cooling and drying, making this system easier to operate and maintain.
This type of pelletizing line is widely used for:
PP pelletizing
PE pelletizing
PET re-pelletizing
Engineering plastics granulation
Recycled plastic compounding
Based on the equipment shown in the attached image, a standard water strand pelletizing line includes:
The extruder melts plastic raw material and continuously extrudes molten strands through the die head. Both single screw and twin screw extruders can be applied depending on material type.
Extruded strands enter a stainless-steel water tank where they are cooled and solidified, ensuring stable strand shape and diameter.
After cooling, strands pass through an air drying system to remove surface moisture before cutting.
A rotating blade system cuts dried strands into uniform pellets with consistent length.
Pellets pass through a vibrating sieve to remove fines and ensure consistent pellet size distribution.
The complete pelletizing workflow includes:
Plastic material feeding
Melting and extrusion through die head
Strand cooling in water tank
Air drying of strands
Pellet cutting
Vibrating screening
Pellet collection
This process allows stable continuous operation and easy parameter control.
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Pellet Length | 3 mm |
| Max. Cutting Strands Quantity | 20 strands |
| Pelletizing Blade Size | Φ200 × 200 mm |
| Max. Pelletizing Capacity | 50–300 kg/h |
| Installed Power | 15–55 kW |
| Overall Line Dimension | 12000 × 1500 × 1800 mm |
| Total Weight | Approx. 1200 kg |
These parameters make the line suitable for small to medium-scale recycling and compounding operations.
Used for re-pelletizing recycled PP, PE, and PET flakes after washing and drying.
Ideal for producing filled, colored, or modified plastic compounds.
Suitable for ABS, PS, and other thermoplastics with stable melt flow characteristics.
Preferred by startups and factories requiring flexible and economical pelletizing solutions.
Mechanical structure is straightforward, making maintenance and spare part replacement easier.
Controlled cooling and cutting ensure uniform pellet size and smooth surface.
Compared with underwater pelletizing systems, initial investment and operating cost are significantly lower.
Suitable for a broad range of thermoplastics, especially recycled materials.
| Aspect | Water Strand Pelletizing | Underwater Pelletizing |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting Position | After cooling | At die face |
| System Complexity | Simple | Complex |
| Investment Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Maintenance | Easy | More demanding |
| Application Scale | Small–medium | Large industrial |
Water strand pelletizing lines are suitable for PP, PE, PET, ABS, PS, and most engineering plastics with stable melt strength.
According to the configuration shown, output ranges from 50 to 300 kg/h, depending on material type and extruder size.
Yes. It is widely used in plastic recycling lines due to its tolerance for material variation and ease of operation.
Pellet length is adjusted by cutter speed and strand feed rate, with standard pellet length around 3 mm.
Yes. Extruder type, strand number, cutter capacity, and auxiliary equipment can be customized according to production requirements.
Chenxing Machinery provides complete water strand pelletizing line solutions with:
Stable extrusion systems
Reliable strand cooling and drying design
Durable pellet cutting units
Customized configurations for recycling and compounding
We support customers with:
Production line design
Equipment installation and commissioning
Operator training
Long-term technical support
Looking for a water strand pelletizing line manufacturer or dry strands cutting pelletizing system supplier?
Visit www.chenxingmachinery.com
Contact our technical team for professional pelletizing solutions and quotations.
