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Application · Specialty & Low-Temperature

WPC Pelletizing: Wood Powder 40–60%

Wood flour is 40–60% of a WPC compound and it must arrive dry, enter through a side feeder, and never see 190 °C — above that the wood starts to scorch and the pellets come out grey. A reference wpc pelletizing page from Kerke.

WPC Pelletizing — workshop photo 1, Kerke workshop, NanjingWPC Pelletizing — workshop photo 1, Kerke workshop, Nanjing
WPC Pelletizing — workshop photo 2, Kerke workshop, NanjingWPC Pelletizing — workshop photo 2, Kerke workshop, Nanjing
WPC Pelletizing — workshop photo 3, Kerke workshop, NanjingWPC Pelletizing — workshop photo 3, Kerke workshop, Nanjing
WPC Pelletizing — workshop photo 4, Kerke workshop, NanjingWPC Pelletizing — workshop photo 4, Kerke workshop, Nanjing
WPC Pelletizing — workshop photo 5, Kerke workshop, NanjingWPC Pelletizing — workshop photo 5, Kerke workshop, Nanjing
WPC Pelletizing — workshop photo 6, Kerke workshop, NanjingWPC Pelletizing — workshop photo 6, Kerke workshop, Nanjing
Running video — WPC Pelletizing, Kerke workshop
Running video — WPC Pelletizing, Kerke workshop

Quick answer

WPC compounding runs 40–70% wood flour with L/D 44–52, side feeding for the flour and air-cooled hot die-face pelletizing to prevent moisture-driven degradation. Output 300–1,500 kg/h. Wood flour dryness below 1% is the single biggest quality factor.

40–60%wood powder
<2%wood moisture
160–185 °Cbarrel temperature

Workshop photos and a running video — shot on our own lines, not stock images.

What sets the limit

Wood flour is dried and side-fed into the melt, compounded with coupling agent and lubricant at controlled temperature below 190 °C, devolatilized and hot die-face pelletized with air cooling.

Table 1. Key parameters for wpc wood plastic composite line. Reference values — confirm on a material trial.
ParameterValue / range
Wood flour40–70%, 40–100 mesh, < 1% moisture
L/D44–52
FeedingSide feeder with crammer
PelletizingAir-cooled hot die-face
Output (reference)300–1,500 kg/h
ModelKTE-65B, KTE-75B

Output figures are measured on the reference material stated above. Filler grade, bulk density and moisture move output by ±15% — that is why every quotation we issue is tied to a trial report.

Process flow, step by step

  1. FeedingLoss-in-weight dosing of polymer and filler; side feeder or liquid injection where the formulation needs it.
  2. Melting and dispersingScrew geometry with 45°/90° kneading blocks; barrel profile set by the polymer.
  3. DevolatilizationVacuum vent at −0.06 to −0.09 MPa removes moisture and volatiles before the die.
  4. Pressure build-upThrottle or discharge section stabilises die pressure; a melt pump where gauge control matters.
  5. Pelletizing and packingAir-cooled hot die-face; then centrifugal dryer, vibrating screen and bagging.

Equipment configuration

Table 2. What the line is made of, and why each part is specified that way.
StageEquipmentWhy this choice
Main machineCo-Rotating Twin Screw ExtruderArchitecture follows the filling level and the mixing duty, not the required tonnage.
Screw geometryBuilding-block elements, W6Mo5Cr4V2, bimetallic linerWear package for abrasive filler; mixing blocks only where dispersion demands them.
FeedingLoss-in-weight feeder, side feeder where neededRecipe accuracy: ±0.5% short term on the weighed component.
PelletizingPelletizing systemChosen by polymer and filler ceiling — water contact is the deciding column.
DownstreamCentrifugal dryer, vibrating screen, baggingFines below 2% and moisture below the specification of your downstream process.

Output by model

Table 3. Co-rotating twin screw KTE — reference output. Full range on the machine page.
ModelDia. (mm)Speed (rpm)Motor (kW)Torque (N·m)Output (kg/h)
KTE-50B50.5500–60055–752×52580–200
KTE-50D50.5300–80075–902×860100–300
KTE-52B51.4500–60055–752×72080–200
KTE-52D51.4500–60075–1102×1050100–400
KTE-65B62.4500–60090–1102×860200–450
KTE-65D62.4300–800132–1602×1530350–600
KTE-75B71500–600132–1602×1530300–800
KTE-75D71300–800200–3152×2100500–1000
KTE-85B85500–600220–3152×2100550–1000
KTE-95B93500–600250–3152×3000800–1500
KTE-95D93500–800315–5002×48001000–2000
KTE-135B135500–600315–5002×48001500–3000
KTE-135D135500–800500–10002×78001500–4000

Three mistakes that cost the most

1. Wet flour causes steam voids, rough surface and dark streaks in the final profile.

Wet flour causes steam voids, rough surface and dark streaks in the final profile.

2. Temperature above 200 °C scorches the wood and the smell never leaves the product.

Temperature above 200 °C scorches the wood and the smell never leaves the product.

3. Standard barrels at 60% wood flour

Standard barrels at 60% wood flour — the mineral-rich composite wears them within two seasons; bimetallic liner and PM elements in the melt zone, or output sags mid-contract.

FAQ

What moisture is acceptable?

Below 1%, ideally 0.5%. Above 2% the pellets show voids and the decking surface fails.

Can the line run 70% wood?

Yes with a crammer feeder and a wear package; the practical limit is feeding stability, not the extruder.

What output can you guarantee for this application?

The reference band is 300–1,500 kg/h, measured on the stated material. We quote a guaranteed figure only after a trial on your own material, because filler grade, bulk density and moisture move output by ±15%.

Can we run our material before ordering?

Yes — send 25–50 kg. We return pellets, a running video and a report with temperatures, screw speed, feeder settings and output per hour. The trial is free; you cover the freight.

What is the delivery time?

30–45 working days for standard configurations, 45–70 for custom screw geometry and ODM work. Voltage and frequency are built for the destination country.

Where these numbers come from

Parameters are taken from the Kerke product parameter table and the product master data sheet, and cross-checked against commissioning records for lines in the same application. Formulations and temperature windows are typical industry values, not a recommendation for your specific compound — every figure marked reference must be confirmed on a material trial before it becomes a contractual number.

Reviewed by the Kerke process team, Nanjing. Page updated 6 November 2026.

Tell us your material — we will tell you the line

Send 25–50 kg and we run it on our lab extruder: pellets, running video and a capacity report back in 3–7 days.

WPC pelletizing — the short version

Note on wpc pelletizing: the numbers above are reference ranges from Kerke's own trial runs, not catalogue promises. Screw geometry, wear package and pelletizing method are set on the trial bench first, so the output you compare is the output you get. If your grade is not in the tables, send it — the closest configuration is usually a change of screw set, not a different machine.

Related on this site: Machine range: KTE-50B to 135D · Pelletizing methods compared · quotation and free trial · Wikipedia: Masterbatch