EPS vs XPS Recycling and Pelletizing Line: Which is Right for You?

2025-04-18

With the rising need for sustainable practices in plastic waste management, EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) and XPS (Extruded Polystyrene) recycling has become essential for packaging and construction industries. Both materials can be recycled and converted into reusable pellets, but the machines and processes differ significantly.

This article compares EPS and XPS recycling and pelletizing lines across key aspects to help you choose the right solution.

Key Comparison Overview

Category	EPS Recycling Line	XPS Recycling Line
Raw Materials	Packaging foam, lunch boxes, EPS blocks	Construction insulation boards, XPS panels
Foam Structure	Open-cell, loose and lightweight	Closed-cell, denser and more rigid
Crushing Difficulty	Easy to crush and melt	Requires powerful crushing and higher melting temperature
Typical Equipment	Crusher → Melting extruder → Pelletizer	Heavy-duty Crusher → High-temp Extruder → Vacuum degassing → Pelletizer
Temperature Control	Standard temperature control	High and precise heating system
Material Cleanliness	Can handle slightly contaminated material	Works best with clean, uncontaminated XPS
Final Pellet Usage	Frames, hangers, EPS injection products	High-quality plastic products, new XPS boards
Machine Investment	Lower cost, quick ROI	Higher cost, but better pellet quality and profit margin
Best For	Packaging factories, foam recyclers	Building material recyclers, premium product manufacturers

Final Recommendations

Choose EPS recycling line if you’re dealing mainly with light, low-density EPS packaging foam.
Choose XPS recycling line if you process construction-grade XPS boards and need higher-quality output.
Need to recycle both? Ask us about our custom-designed integrated solutions.