Granulator Knives Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (D2 Type, and Others) By Application (Plastic Recycling, Rubber Recycling, and Others), Regional Insights and Forecast From 2025 To 2034

• 

  Request a Free sample to learn more about this report

GRANULATOR KNIVES MARKET OVERVIEW

The global Granulator Knives Market size is projected to reach USD 0.003 billion in 2025, growing further to USD 0.005 billion by 2034 at an estimated CAGR of 4.57% from 2025 to 2034.

The United States Granulator Knives market size is projected at USD 0.00094 billion in 2025, the Europe Granulator Knives market size is projected at USD 0.00096 billion in 2025, and the China Granulator Knives market size is projected at USD 0.00082 billion in 2025.

An open rotor body, and two, three, or five hardened steel knives provide fine grinding in granulator machines. In granulators, scrap parts and melt delivery systems (sprues and runners) are ground into feedstock-sized granules. This reduces waste and reduces the cost of producing components. The cutting blades of these granulators will be subjected to extensive wear because they will be used to cut polymers containing metal powders. There are several factors that influence the quality of granulates and efficiency of granulators, including the number of knives, the arrangement, the tip angle, the speed, and the sharpness of the knives. Knives can either be mounted on a granulator's stationary bed or on its rotor.

Today, it is more important than ever to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills. Globally, granulating operations are increasing in number and looking for ways to increase output while reducing costs as environmental concerns increase.

Any granulating operation is significantly affected by the fit and sharpness of granulator knives. When knives are maintained properly, dust is reduced and regrinds are fine-free and uniform. Blades with dull edges produce regrinds of various sizes with dust and fines. If granulator blades are not properly maintained, they can prematurely wear out and make setting the desired gap impossible. It is important to maintain a high clearance between rotating knives and bed knives in order to achieve the best size reduction performance. Some manufacturers offer adjustable bed knives, adjustable rotor knives, or both. Jigs are used to set knives outside of machines that adjust rotor knives. The machine is equipped with fixed rotor knives and adjustable bed knives.

KEY FINDINGS

COVID-19 IMPACT

Lower Supply of Food Products Retarded Market Growth

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the granulator knives market experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden surge in CAGR is attributable to demand returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.

In December 2019 or January 2020, when the first cases of COVID-19 were detected in China, few predicted how quickly and how profoundly this illness would impact the global economy.  COVID-19 had a huge impact on the granulator knives market due to the sudden lockdown imposed by the government and restrictions on the functioning of industries. This pandemic significantly affected the plastic recycling sector, as it would most sectors, but the nature and extent of the effects are uncertain. Besides lockdowns to slow the spread of the pandemic, other types of plastic consumption, such as outdoor furniture replacements, could be reduced due to COVID-19. The rubber recycling industry also faced a downward trend during the pandemic.

The surge in personal protective equipment, however, is causing growing concern.  In the wake of COVID-19 and the fact that many protective personal equipment (PPE) used to protect healthcare workers is plastic, the need for plastic would seem to be stronger than ever.

LATEST TRENDS

D2 Steel Granulator Knives to Drive the Market Owing to Better Performance

Generally, granulator knives are made of D2 steel, which is harder and provides better wear resistance, but is prone to chipping, particularly if the tramp metal is present. Checking knife sharpness and wear should be part of a regular periodic maintenance program. To produce quality regrind with minimal fines, blades must be sharpened.

• Over 78% of industrial plastic recyclers in Asia now use D2 steel granulator knives for durability and better wear resistance.

• A shift in maintenance practices was observed in 2024, with 65% of granulator operations globally adopting automated knife sharpening jigs for precision and reduced downtime.

Request a Free sample to learn more about this report

GRANULATOR KNIVES MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type

The market is classified into D2 type, and others based on type. The D2 type segment will lead the granulator knives market share throughout the forecast period.

By Application

The market is classified into plastic recycling, rubber recycling, and others on the basis of application. The plastic recycling segment will lead the granulator knives market share throughout the forecast period.

DRIVING FACTORS

Growth in the Automotive Industry to Drive the Granulator Knives Market Growth

Compression molding uses granulated plastic scrap. In the manufacture of thermoset and thermoplastic polymer composites, compression molding is the most common process. Composite components in high volume, such as automotive components, are normally produced with this process.  Products made from compression molding include car tyres, rubber tyres, and automotive parts.

Rise in the Demand for Rubber Granules to Drive the Market

Rubber granules are in high demand in the sports sector, which is projected to drive the market during the forecast period. A vital role is played by rubber granules in sports and playground safety. Athlete turf, football turf, and sports flooring are among the applications. As playing surfaces become more reliable, safe, and comfortable, rubber granules are gradually becoming more important. In the event of a fall, it provides maximum protection against injury. As well as promoting strong abrasion, it is antiskid and penetrable, which makes it good for gripping slippery surfaces when they are wet. There is little maintenance involved with rubber granules, and they are cost-effective as well.

• The automotive sector contributed to 27% of global thermoplastic polymer composite demand in 2024, significantly pushing granulator knife utilization in compression molding.

• Demand for rubber granules in turf applications rose by 34% globally in 2024, directly impacting granulator knife usage in rubber recycling processes.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Concerns Related to Plastic Recycling to Impede Market Growth

The recycling of mixed plastic waste and the collection of plastic recyclables is one of the major impediments to the granulator knives market since they are used for plastic recycling. The implementation of policies to reduce environmental impacts can have a significant impact on the recycling market. The efficiency of post-consumer packaging recycling could be significantly increased if the variety of materials were reorganized.

• According to the European Environment Agency, 32% of mixed plastic waste is still unrecyclable due to inconsistent granulate quality—hindering effective use of granulator knives.

• Only 41% of municipal plastic waste in developing countries is properly collected for recycling, limiting knife demand in smaller markets (as per UN Environment Programme 2024).

• Request a Free sample to learn more about this report

•  

GRANULATOR KNIVES MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Asia to Lead the Market Owing to Comparatively More Number of Rubber Recycling Process

Due to the fact that there are more rubber recycling activities going place in the region, particularly in India, the Asia Pacific region is projected to dominate the granulator knife market. Due to the greater concentration of industry participants in this region, Asia Pacific now holds the largest market share. Asia Pacific imports and recycles a sizable volume of plastic waste as a result of low government laws and inexpensive labor in the area. China is a significant hub for plastic recycling, but it recently placed a nationwide ban on the import of plastic waste.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Leading Players Adopt Acquisition Strategies to Stay Competitive 

Several players in the market are using acquisition strategies to build their business portfolios and strengthen their market position. In addition, partnerships and collaborations are among the common strategies adopted by companies. Key market players are making R&D investments to bring advanced technologies and solutions to the granulator knives market.

• D&S (India): Supplied over 12,000 units of granulator knives to plastic recycling plants in 2024, with 62% of demand from South Asia.

• SIJ Ravne Systems (Balkans): Accounted for 18% of industrial knife exports from Slovenia in 2024, primarily for polymer cutting and recycling.

List of Top Granulator Knives Companies

• D&S (India)
• SIJ Ravne Systems (Balkans)
• TRO Cutting Tools (Balkans)
• Pilana (Czech Republic)
• Fernite of Sheffield (U.K.)
• Great Lakes Industrial Knife (U.S.)
• Zenith Cutter (U.S.)
• OVS (Europe)
• International Knife & Saw (U.S.)
• Povelato (Europe)
• D. B. Engineering (Europe)
• LUTZ BLADES (Europe)
• Hamilton Knife (U.S.)
• New Asia Knives (Taiwan)
• Rowe Equipment (U.S.)
• Qinghao Machine blade mould (China)
• Liuzhou Lian United Knives (China)
• Ma'anshan Renhe (China)

REPORT COVERAGE

In the report, factors affecting the market from both demand and supply are evaluated and market dynamics during the forecast period are also forecasted. Also included in the report is a comprehensive PEST analysis of countries, which assesses the governmental, financial, and shared factors influencing their markets. Apart from all of these, the report also provides drivers, restraints, opportunities, and future trends.