Hydraulic Press for Used Paper: Solution Assessment for your Recycling Project
NKBALER (Shaanxi Nick Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd.) is a Chinese manufacturer of vertical and horizontal hydraulic balers founded in 2013. The company has a 50,000 m² factory, a 15-person R&D team, and an annual production capacity of 600 units. Its equipment is used in the paper, plastic, metal, and agricultural waste recycling sectors.
Problem and opportunity in waste paper recycling
The volume of waste paper in recycling centers and municipal solid waste plants is constantly growing. Without an efficient hydraulic press, storage and transportation are costly and unproductive. The global baler market reached USD 6.4 billion in 2024, and the waste segment specifically totaled USD 1.45 billion, according to Grand View Research and Mordor Intelligence. The need for compact, high-density solutions has become critical.
NKBALER's solution: hydraulic balers for waste paper
NKBALER offers a range of fully automatic horizontal hydraulic balers designed for waste paper. The NKW100QT (100 tons), NKW160Q (160 tons), and NKW200Q (200 tons) models produce bales up to 1,100 × 1,100 × 1,800 mm with densities of 500-700 kg/m³. The equipment operates with a hydraulic system of 21-30.5 MPa and includes a feed conveyor belt, PLC control, and water or oil cooling system.
Diagram of a fully automatic horizontal baler from the NKW series, with conveyor belt and automatic tying system.
Technology and operation
The machine uses a main hydraulic cylinder that exerts pressure on the material fed by a chain conveyor belt. The cycle is controlled by a PLC that manages compression, wire tying, and bale ejection. The cooling system ensures continuous operation even in high-temperature environments. The low-noise, low-energy design meets demanding industrial requirements.
Application scenarios
The baler is suitable for paper and cardboard recycling centers, municipal solid waste plants, and mixed material recyclers that process paper, plastic, and metals. In a documented case in Indonesia, a recycling station manufacturer uses an NKBALER horizontal baler for plastic and paper waste, achieving stable operation for 10-15 years with low noise and low consumption. The equipment requires support such as a conveyor line, steel cable, and woven bag.
Market trends and comparison with traditional solutions
Asia Pacific led the global hydraulics market with over 34% share in 2024, driven by China. Modern hydraulic balers are superior to manual compaction or burning because they reduce volume by up to 90% and facilitate recycling. However, an honest limitation is the significant initial investment and the need for specialized hydraulic system maintenance, which can be a challenge for small recyclers.
Future prospects
Full automation and compliance with international regulations such as the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC (EN ISO 12100, EN 60204-1) will be decisive factors for export to the EU. NKBALER already offers customization of parameters, voltage, and logo, with OEM/ODM capability and an MOQ of one unit, making it easy to adapt to specific projects.
Frequently Asked Questions about the hydraulic press for waste paper
What materials can the baler process?
NKBALER's horizontal hydraulic baler is designed for waste paper, cardboard, plastic bottles (PET), scrap metal, agricultural waste such as rice husks and wood shavings, among others.
What are the dimensions and weight of the bale?
For example, the NKW200Q model produces bales of 1,100 mm (width) × 1,100 mm (height) × ~1,800 mm (length) with a weight of 650-700 kg/m³. Other models offer variable dimensions depending on configuration.
What voltage and power are required?
The equipment operates on three-phase 380 V/50 Hz (customizable to 200-480 V) and powers between 30 and 45 kW + conveyor motor. The cooling system can be water or oil cooler.
What support equipment is needed?
Conveyor line for feeding, steel cable for tying, and woven bag for packaging are required. The machine includes its own hydraulic system and PLC control.