First Plastic Pallet Production Line Successfully Dispatched to Romania by ZK Hydraulic
ZK Hydraulic has officially loaded and dispatched its first fully automated plastic pallet production line to a major logistics client in Romania. Transported via the China-Europe Railway Express, this delivery represents the first phase of a four-line manufacturing project, highlighting ZK Hydraulic’s expanding footprint in the European sustainable manufacturing sector.
Strategic Partnership for Recycled Plastic Pallet Manufacturing
Following an extensive factory audit and comparative evaluation of multiple Chinese machinery suppliers in late 2024, the Romanian client signed an agreement for four complete compression molding pallet lines with ZK Hydraulic. The selection criteria focused on:
- Machine structural rigidity and precision pressure control.
- Automation integration and raw material versatility (processing mixed recycled plastics).
- End-to-end turnkey delivery and overseas technical commissioning.
ZK-1600 Hydraulic Press for 1200 × 800 mm Plastic Pallets
At the core of the production line is the ZK-1600 hydraulic plastic pallet molding machine, which is designed for high-efficiency compression molding of recycled plastic materials.
The Romanian customer plans to manufacture 1200 × 800 mm recycled plastic pallets, a widely used pallet size for logistics, warehousing, and industrial transportation in the European market.
Under the designed production conditions, each ZK-1600 machine can produce approximately 360 pallets per day, providing the customer with a stable and efficient solution for large-scale recycled pallet manufacturing.
Advanced Dual-Stage Extrusion System
To ensure stable plasticization and consistent material quality, the production line is equipped with a 220-type and 180-type dual-stage extrusion system.
A 200-liter kneader is installed between the two extruders to provide intensive mixing and improve the uniformity of the recycled plastic material before it enters the molding process.
This configuration allows the production line to achieve better material mixing, stable plasticization, and consistent feeding, which are essential for producing high-quality recycled plastic pallets.
Fully Automated Production Process
The production line is designed as a highly automated system rather than a standalone pallet molding machine.
It integrates a quantitative dosing system, extrusion and plasticization equipment, the ZK-1600 hydraulic press, precision pallet molds, and an automatic robotic handling system.
The dosing system accurately controls the amount of material supplied to each molding cycle, while the robotic arm automatically handles the molded pallets after pressing. This significantly reduces manual operations and improves production consistency, efficiency, and workplace safety.
The complete system enables a continuous and highly automated manufacturing process from recycled plastic material preparation to finished pallet handling.
Core Specifications: Fully Automated ZK-P1600 Production System
The dispatched line is engineered to convert mixed post-industrial and post-consumer plastic waste into high-load logistics pallets. The complete setup includes:
| Equipment Component | Function & Capability |
| Dosing & Extrusion System | Continuous compounding and precise volumetric dosing of recycled plastic flakes and pellets. |
| ZK-P1600 Hydraulic Press | 1600-ton pallet compression molding press with fast closing speed and uniform pressure distribution. |
| High-Precision Pallet Mold | Hardened steel pallet mold designed for international standard dimensions (e.g., Euro-pallet 1200×800 mm / 1200×1000 mm). |
| Robotic Automation System | Automated material placement, robotic part demolding, and automated pallet stacking. |
Turnkey Molded Pallet Solutions for Circular Economy
As global supply chains transition toward sustainable packaging, ZK Hydraulic provides complete turnkey plastic pallet manufacturing solutions, covering:
- Initial plant layout design and electrical integration.
- Raw material formulation testing for PP, PE, and HDPE recycling.
- Custom mold design for heavy-duty industrial and rackable pallets.
- On-site installation, trial runs, and operator training across Europe.
With the first production line now in transit, manufacturing for the remaining three lines is currently underway at ZK Hydraulic’s facility, with full commissioning scheduled for completion later this year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What raw materials can the ZK-P1600 plastic pallet line process?
The system processes 100% recycled plastic waste, including PP, PE, HDPE, and mixed post-industrial regrind, eliminating the need for expensive virgin resin. Learn more in our guide to plastic recycling for pallet production.
What is the capacity of a turnkey plastic pallet production line?
Depending on the press model (such as our 1600-ton plastic pallet press) and mold configuration, standard cycle times range from 90 to 180 seconds per pallet, operating 24/7 with fully automated robotic demolding.
Does ZK Hydraulic provide on-site installation and support in Europe?
Yes. ZK Hydraulic provides full after-sales support and turnkey commissioning across Europe, including transport coordination, engineering dispatch, and CE-compliant after-sales service. For project inquiries, feel free to contact our engineering team.