A Waste PE HDPE LDPE Film/Bags Plastic Washing Line turns dirty, baled or rolled soft plastic into clean, dry flakes. These flakes can go into storage or straight to granulation. For a recycler, this stage decides the quality of the final pellets and the profit from every ton.
Soft plastic is harder to clean than rigid plastic. Agricultural film carries soil and sand. Packaging film carries labels, ink and oil. Woven bags carry dust and loose fibers. A purpose-built PE film washing line handles all of this in one continuous flow: shredding, friction washing, sink-float separation, hot washing and mechanical drying.
This guide covers the Mooge ME-Series plastic recycling machine for PE, HDPE and LDPE film and bags, with capacities from 300 to 1,000 kg/h. You will find the process flow, machine list, technical parameters, cost factors and supplier checks, so you can prepare a clear inquiry. For other soft-plastic options, browse our full PE/PP Film/Bags Recycling Line range.

What Is a Waste PE HDPE LDPE Film Washing Line?

A waste PE HDPE LDPE film washing line is a set of connected machines that shred, wash, separate, dewater and compact used polyethylene film and bags. The output is clean, dry, semi-plasticized flakes with a final moisture content below 5%.
PE film is thin, light and often very dirty. It floats, tangles and holds water. For this reason, a film line is different from a PET bottle line or a rigid plastic line. It needs a strong shredder, high-speed friction washing and a squeezer to remove water.
Typical buyers include plastic recycling plants, pellet producers, agricultural film collectors, packaging waste processors and contractors who build new recycling factories.
 

Materials Our PE Film Plastic Recycling Machine Can Process

The ME-Series is designed for post-industrial and post-consumer soft plastic waste, including:

• PE and HDPE films, baled or rolled
• Agricultural mulch film
• Stretch film
• Various packaging films
• Loose PE woven bags and packaging sacks
• Drip irrigation tapes

Contamination level changes the right configuration. Clean factory scrap needs fewer washing stages. Used mulch film with soil needs stronger friction washing and more sink-float capacity. Before you choose a plastic film washing line, tell your supplier where the material comes from, how dirty it is, and whether it has print, oil or adhesive residue.

How Does a PE Film Washing Line Work? Step-by-Step Process Flow

The ME-Series follows a clear sequence. Each stage removes a specific type of contamination:

1. Shredding. A heavy-duty single-shaft shredder with hydraulic push-feeding breaks baled or rolled film into small pieces.
2. Metal removal. A magnetic conveyor belt takes out ferrous metal. A semi-automatic metal detector finds both ferrous and non-ferrous metal.
3. Wet crushing. A crusher with water reduces the shredded film to uniform flakes.
4. Friction washing and first sink-float. The friction washer loader scrubs off dirt, labels and sand. The first sink-float tank separates sand and stones from the floating PE.
5. Hot washing (optional). Heated water, with chemical reagents where needed, removes oil, adhesive and stubborn residue. Temperature is adjustable.
6. Second wash. A high-speed friction washer removes fine dirt. The second sink-float tank rinses the flakes with clean water and raises purity.
7. Dewatering and squeezing. A centrifuge removes most of the water. The squeezer agglomerator then removes remaining moisture and compacts the material.
8. Storage and packing. An air conveying system moves the flakes to a packing silo with minimal dust.

A PLC control panel manages the whole line. A wastewater treatment system filters and recycles the process water.

ME-Series PE/HDPE/LDPE Film Washing Line Models and Technical Parameters

The table below shows the standard ME-Series models for the waste PE HDPE LDPE film washing line.

Model	Capacity	Installed Power	Hot Washing	Water Supply	Area Required
ME-300	300 kg/h	250 kW	Optional	6–8 m³/h	35 m × 4 m × 5 m
ME-500	500 kg/h	400 kW	Optional	8–10 m³/h	35 m × 4 m × 5 m
ME-1000	1,000 kg/h	650 kW	Optional	15–20 m³/h	50 m × 6 m × 6 m

These figures describe standard configurations. Final power, water use and layout depend on your material, contamination level and plant space. Larger or customized lines can be discussed as a project.

Main Machines in the Plastic Film Washing Line

 
Each machine has a clear job. Knowing them helps you compare supplier quotations line by line.

• Single-shaft shredder: wear-resistant blades, a high-torque rotor and a hydraulic pusher handle baled film and bags. If you need a standalone unit, see our Plastic Shredder Machine range.
• Magnetic conveyor and metal detector: protect the crusher and washers from metal damage and improve final purity.
• Crusher with water: high-performance blades cut film into even flakes for stable washing.
• Friction washer loader: loads the flakes and scrubs off dirt, labels and sand at the same time.
• Sink-float washing tanks (two stages): separate floating PE from heavy dirt by density.
• Hot washing tank: removes oil and adhesive with heated water. Temperature can be set for each material.
• High-speed friction washer: removes fine residue that earlier stages leave behind.
• Centrifuge dewatering machine: spins out water at high speed before the squeezer stage.
• Squeezer agglomerator: dewaters, compacts and semi-plasticizes the film in one unit.
• Air conveying and packing silo: moves lightweight flakes in an enclosed path with low dust.
• PLC electric control panel: gives reliable, easy operation. Custom electrical setups are available.
• Wastewater treatment: filters and reuses process water.

Before and After Recycling: Washed and Semi-Plasticized PE Flakes

The input is waste PE film pressed into bales. It is bulky, dirty and wet. The output is washed, semi-plasticized PE flakes with moisture below 1–2%.
The semi-plasticized form is dense and easy to store. It also flows into an extruder more smoothly than loose, fluffy film flakes. Many recyclers sell the flakes directly. Others feed them into a granulator to make PE pellets.

How Much Does a PE Film Washing Line Cost?

There is no single fixed price for a PE film washing line. Each line is quoted by project. These factors move the price most:

• Target capacity (300, 500, 1,000 kg/h or larger)
• Whether you add the hot washing stage
• Shredding and crushing configuration
• Squeezer or other dewatering and drying equipment
• Material of tanks and parts that touch wet plastic
• Electrical control and automation level
• Wastewater treatment capacity
• Installation, commissioning, training and shipping to your port

To get an accurate quotation, send these details: material type, dirt level, target capacity, final product (flakes or pellets), local voltage and available plant size. Ask for an itemized quotation. A very low price with missing items, such as metal detection, a second wash stage or water treatment, often leads to extra cost later.

Capacity, Power, Water Consumption and Floor Space Requirements

Plan utilities early. They affect your building budget as much as the machines do.

• ME-300: 250 kW installed power, 6–8 m³/h water supply
• ME-500: 400 kW installed power, 8–10 m³/h water supply
• ME-1000: 650 kW installed power, 15–20 m³/h water supply

The ME-300 and ME-500 need an area of about 35 m × 4 m × 5 m. The ME-1000 needs about 50 m × 6 m × 6 m. Besides the line itself, leave room for bale storage, flake storage, forklift access and wastewater equipment. Our engineers can adjust the layout to your workshop.

Hot Washing vs. Cold Washing: Which Do You Need for Dirty PE Film?

Hot washing adds cost and energy use, so use it only when your material needs it. In the ME-Series, hot washing is optional.

Factor	Cold Washing	Hot Washing
Best for	Clean factory scrap, stretch film, lightly dirty film	Oily, sticky or heavily contaminated film
Removes	Soil, sand, dust, loose dirt	Oil, adhesive and stubborn residue, plus loose dirt
Investment and energy	Lower	Higher
Choose it when	Final flakes only need basic cleanliness	Buyers of your pellets require higher purity

If you are unsure, send photos of your material. We can suggest whether a hot washing stage makes sense for your waste PE film and bags.

How to Wash Heavily Contaminated Agricultural Mulch Film

Used mulch film is one of the hardest materials to clean. It carries soil, sand, stones and plant residue. A reliable line handles it in layers:

• Shred first, then remove metal early to protect the crusher.
• Use wet crushing and a friction washer loader to loosen soil and sand.
• Use two sink-float stages so heavy dirt settles out and clean PE floats off.
• Add hot washing if the film has oil, chemical residue or adhesive.
• Finish with high-speed friction washing, centrifuge dewatering and the squeezer.

Two buyer tips apply here. First, ask your supplier whether the stated capacity refers to dirty input weight or clean output weight. Second, plan for sludge removal and water treatment from the start. Heavy soil loads create more sediment, and a good wastewater plan keeps the line running without long stops.

Squeezer Pelletizer: Reducing Flake Moisture to Below 1–2%

Wet PE film flakes hold a lot of water. Thermal drying alone is slow and costly. The ME-Series uses a squeeze compactor-pelletizer to solve this. It removes moisture by mechanical extrusion, semi-plasticizes the material and forms uniform flakes.
The result is a final moisture content below 5%. The flakes are ready for storage or direct feeding into granulation. If you plan to make pellets, we also supply matching Plastic Pelletizing Line equipment, so washing and pelletizing can be designed as one project.

Wastewater Treatment and Water Recycling System for Plastic Washing Lines

A film washing line uses a lot of water. The ME-Series needs 6–20 m³/h of water supply, depending on the model. An integrated wastewater treatment system filters and recycles process water. This reduces total water use and lowers operating cost. It also supports compliant production.
Before you buy, check your local discharge rules. Ask how sludge is removed and handled, and how hot washing reagents are treated. These points matter in Europe, the Middle East and other regions with strict environmental inspections.

Why Choose Mooge as Your Plastic Recycling Machine Manufacturer?

 
Jiangsu Mooge Machine Co., Ltd. is based in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu, China. Our company profile reports more than 20 years of plastic recycling machinery experience and an 11,000 m² workshop. These six points matter most to film washing line buyers:

• In-house engineering: our team designs and draws each project independently.
• Quality control: we manage quality across the full production cycle.
• Customization: we adapt the line to your material, capacity and plant space.
• Automation: reliable PLC control gives efficient and stable operation.
• After-sales support: a dedicated team provides technical assistance and responsive service.
• Global installations: our profile reports completed projects in more than 120 countries and regions.

Our company holds ISO, CE and SGS certifications. As with any supplier, ask for copies of certificates and check that they match the machine you plan to buy.

Customer Cases and Installation Videos

Videos are the fastest way to judge a machine before you send an inquiry. Our product page includes running videos of:

• The ME-500 (500 kg/h) PE/PP film recycling machine
• An ME-Series LDPE film washing line with dehydrator
• A 1,500–2,000 kg/h PP PE LDPE HDPE film recycling washing line
• A waste plastic PP PE film and bags recycling washing line installed in Russia

These videos show machine size, material flow and washed flake quality. Our About Us page also shows overseas projects in countries such as India, Algeria, Poland, Colombia and Australia. If you want references closer to your region or material, ask our sales team.

Frequently Asked Questions About PE HDPE LDPE Film Washing Lines

FAQ

What materials can the ME-Series wash?
It handles PE and HDPE film, mulch film, stretch film, packaging film, PE woven bags, packaging sacks and drip irrigation tapes. Both post-industrial and post-consumer waste can run on the line.
What capacity options are available?
Standard models run at 300, 500 and 1,000 kg/h. Larger or customized capacities can be discussed for your project.
Do I need hot washing for my material?
Not always. Clean or lightly dirty film often works with cold washing only. Oily, sticky or heavily contaminated film usually benefits from hot washing, which is optional on the ME-Series.
What is the final moisture of the flakes?
The squeezer stage brings moisture below 1–2%. The flakes are semi-plasticized and ready for storage or direct granulation.
How much water does the line use?
Water supply is 6–8 m³/h for the ME-300, 8–10 m³/h for the ME-500 and 15–20 m³/h for the ME-1000. A built-in wastewater treatment system filters and recycles process water to reduce total consumption.
What information do you need to give a quotation?
Send your material type, dirt level, target capacity, final product (flakes or pellets), local voltage and plant size. Photos or a short video of your waste material also help our engineers.

Conclusion

A well-matched Waste PE HDPE LDPE Film/Bags Plastic Washing Line protects your margin. It removes dirt, controls moisture and gives you flakes that are easy to sell or pelletize. The right configuration depends on your material, dirt level, capacity and plant space, so share these details before you compare quotations.
Mooge supplies the ME-Series PE film washing line with engineering, customization and technical support for international buyers. Visit our Contact page, or reach us at sales@moogetech.com or WhatsApp +86 13584489215. Send us your material details and target capacity, and our team will reply with product details, a suitable configuration and a quotation.