PP and PS sheet is the volume path for drinking cups and many trays. PET selection is a different article. Here the job is to stop a plant buying a die it cannot fill, or a single screw that cannot keep up with the former.
Numbers on the PP/PS pages
| Question | Published range | Where it shows up |
|---|---|---|
| Output | 350–800 kg/h | Category specification, not one screw diameter |
| Width | up to 800–1200 mm | Must cover platen + trim |
| Thickness | 0.2–2.0 mm | Cups sit at the thin end; trays move up |
| Layers | One, or three | SI-120-980-II versus LS105 three-layer |
See the full PP / PS / PE list before naming a screw. A vertical single-layer line fits a cup hall with a short footprint. Three-layer is for a recycled core or a cap layer, and it needs more floor, more hoppers, and a crew that will actually keep the layer ratio.
Worked balance — 20 cavities at 40 cpm
6.5 g PP cup × 20 × 40 × 60 minutes ≈ 312 kg/h of good cups. Skeleton at 40% means the extruder must melt about 520 kg/h. That sits inside 350–800 kg/h, so a mid output line can feed one former. Two formers, or a heavier bowl, push you to the top of the band or a second extruder. Regrind strategy is in the scrap note: PP often takes 20–40% regrind; do not add that on top of an already full screw.
Sheet data, then the model
- Resin: PP, PS, or a stated blend
- Width and thickness of the web you will form
- kg/h of good product and expected skeleton
- One layer or a recycled core
- Former model, or platen size if the former is not ours
Frequently asked questions
Is a PET extruder the right quote for PP cups?
No. PET needs drying and usually a different screw and vacuum layout. PP and PS cup sheet belongs on the PP/PS/PE family unless you have a written reason to share a line.
When do I need three layers?
When the core is recycled or the skin must be gloss or a barrier. A single-layer vertical line is enough for a plain PP or PS cup web.
How wide should the sheet be?
Wider than the forming platen plus trim, and inside the extruder’s published width. Do not buy 1200 mm of die for a 780 mm former unless a second, wider tool is already drawn.
What output should I plan?
The category band is 350–800 kg/h. A 20-cavity, 40 cpm, 6.5 g PP cup is about 312 kg/h of good cups before 30–50% skeleton. Size the extruder to the total, not the cups alone.