When to choose the PLATEX 155
The PLATEX 155 by Takımsan is the entry point to mid-scale planetary roller compounding. With a 55 kW extruder motor, PR 150 gearbox, and 450–800 kg/hr capacity range, it serves production operations where annual compound volume falls in the 2,000–5,000 tonne range and primary materials are rigid or flexible PVC, masterbatch, or WPC.
A typical PLATEX 155 installation is a regional rigid PVC compounder feeding two or three downstream profile extruders within a vertically integrated facility. At 600 kg/hr on a standard CaCO3-filled rigid PVC compound (25 phr chalk), running two shifts, a PLATEX 155 produces approximately 7,200 kg per day — enough for three 45 mm profile extruders running simultaneously at average line speed. This sizes the compounding line without over-engineering for a mid-scale window profile or cable duct producer.
The second common application is colour masterbatch production across multiple formulations. The PLATEX 155’s self-cleaning planetary geometry enables colour changes in under 20 minutes without full disassembly — a practical advantage when running 4–6 colours per shift.
Comparing to adjacent models: The PLATEX 100 (100–200 kg/hr) is appropriate for boutique or speciality volumes. The PLATEX 165 (600–1,100 kg/hr) overlaps significantly in capacity, but its 75 kW motor sustains throughput above 600 kg/hr on high-viscosity or heavily filled formulations without operating the motor at its ceiling. If your target throughput is reliably above 550 kg/hr, the PLATEX 165 may be a better long-term specification. Where the target is 450–600 kg/hr on lighter formulations, the PLATEX 155 delivers the same compound quality at lower capital and operating cost.
Materials and applications
Rigid PVC is the primary application for most PLATEX 155 installations. At 450–800 kg/hr, the machine covers all uPVC window profile and pipe compound formulations, including grades filled up to 50 phr CaCO3 and compounds incorporating CPE or ACR impact modifier. For detailed process parameters, see rigid PVC compounding.
Soft PVC (30–80 phr plasticiser): cable insulation, flooring, and technical film compounds. The planetary roller geometry distributes plasticiser homogeneously across all melt film surfaces without shear-induced temperature spikes that cause colour shift or early thermal degradation.
PE + CaCO3 compounds: polyethylene filled up to 60% CaCO3 by weight for film and injection moulding applications. The PLATEX 155 processes this range without the torque imbalance that limits single-screw compounders at high filler loading levels.
WPC: wood flour at 40–60% by weight with PE or PP carrier. Vacuum degassing in stage 2 is critical at this filler level — moisture content in the wood flour generates steam that must be removed before granulation.
Colour masterbatch: standard and custom pigment systems at high pigment loading rates.
Plastic recycling: post-consumer and post-industrial material with variable moisture content.
Power consumption economics
At 600 kg/hr throughput on a filled rigid PVC compound (approximately 20 phr CaCO3), the PLATEX 155 draws approximately 38–45 kW from the 55 kW extruder motor, plus the 32 kW discharge motor — total approximately 65–75 kW including vacuum system and auxiliaries. Actual draw depends on compound viscosity, barrel temperature profile, and throughput; these are estimates.
Over a 6,000-hour operating year (two shifts, approximately 250 days):
- PLATEX 155 electrical consumption: approximately 390,000–450,000 kWh
- At €0.10/kWh: approximately €39,000–45,000/year
A co-rotating twin-screw compounder delivering 600 kg/hr on rigid PVC typically requires 60–70 kW for the main drive. At 6,000 hours: approximately 360,000–420,000 kWh for the main drive alone, plus equivalent auxiliaries — total approximately 20–30% higher electrical consumption than the PLATEX 155 on the same formulation (estimated).
The approximately €8,000–15,000/year estimated energy saving contributes to the payback calculation. However, process quality advantages — fewer failed batches, lower thermal degradation rate, longer cycle between barrel cleaning — typically represent a larger cost benefit in practice.
Why PLATEX 155 over alternatives
vs. European-manufactured planetary roller extruders: European-manufactured planetary roller extruders use the same processing principles. Takımsan’s ISO 9001:2015 certification and CE marking satisfy the same quality documentation requirements as European-market supply chains demand. Total cost of ownership for PLATEX by Takımsan is typically 30–50% lower than a comparable European planetary extruder (estimated). For a full technology comparison, see planetary vs twin-screw.
vs. counter-rotating twin screw (conical or parallel): For rigid PVC window profile compounding specifically, counter-rotating twin-screw extruders are the historical standard. The planetary roller’s lower shear rate means: lower melt temperature at equivalent throughput; lower risk of HCl release from PVC degradation; and — because contact is distributed across the roller-to-barrel interface rather than concentrated at screw tips — significantly longer average time between barrel changes.
vs. Chinese-manufactured planetary extruder alternatives: Takımsan has manufactured planetary roller extruders since 1995 and cutting tools since 1981. ISO 9001:2015-certified quality management, CE marking, and academic validation (Formela and Eyigöz identify Takımsan as one of two manufacturers globally producing lab-scale planetary extruders) separate PLATEX by Takımsan from undocumented alternatives.
Replacement parts — planetary rollers, PR 150 gearbox components, barrel liners, granulation die plates — are available from Takımsan’s spare parts inventory.
