Underwater Pelletizing Systems Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Single Screw Extruder Pelleizing Line, Double Screw Extruder Pelleizing Line, and Other), By Application (Extrusion of Soft Polyvinyl Chloride Polyethlene, Extrusion of Hard Polyvinyl Chloride Polyethlene, Avariety of Plastic Products, and Other), Regional Insights, and Forecast To 2034

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UNDERWATER PELLETIZING SYSTEMS MARKET OVERVIEW

The global underwater pelletizing systems market size was valued at USD 0.145 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 0.2 billion by 2034, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 3.6% from 2025 to 2034.

Underwater pelletizing systems are a type of industrial equipment used in the plastics industry to produce plastic pellets. These systems are commonly used in the production of thermoplastic materials, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. Underwater pelletizing systems can achieve high production rates due to their continuous operation and efficient pellet cutting process.

Since the cutting and pelletizing process occurs underwater, there is minimal dust generation, which improves the working environment and reduces the risk of contamination. The rapid cooling provided by the water in the cutting chamber helps maintain the physical and mechanical properties of the plastic material, resulting in high-quality pellets with minimal deformation. Underwater pelletizing systems can handle a wide range of plastic materials and produce pellets of different sizes and shapes by changing the die plate.

KEY FINDINGS

COVID-19 IMPACT

 Operational Challenges to Hamper Demand Significantly

COVID-19 had a life changing impact globally. The underwater pelletizing systems market was significantly affected. The virus had various impacts on different markets. Lockdowns were imposed in several nations. This erratic pandemic caused disruptions on all sorts of businesses. Restrictions tightened during the pandemic due to increasing number of cases. Numerous Industries were affected. However, the market for underwater pelletizing systems experienced a reduced demand.

Companies using underwater pelletizing systems may have faced operational challenges during the pandemic. Restrictions on physical distancing, workforce availability, and travel limitations may have impacted production schedules and maintenance activities. Additionally, maintaining a safe working environment and implementing health protocols to prevent the spread of the virus could have required adjustments to work processes and increased costs.

The pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote technologies and virtual communication tools. Manufacturers of underwater pelletizing systems may have embraced remote support and troubleshooting capabilities to minimize physical contact and ensure continuous customer service. The market is anticipated to boost the underwater pelletizing systems market share following the pandemic.

LATEST TRENDS

Improved Energy Efficiency to Broaden Market Growth

Manufacturers are focusing on enhancing the energy efficiency of underwater pelletizing systems. Energy-saving measures, such as improved insulation, optimized heating and cooling processes, and more efficient motor drives, are being incorporated to reduce energy consumption and operating costs. Underwater pelletizing systems are being integrated into the broader concept of Industry 4.0. This involves connectivity with other equipment and systems, enabling seamless data exchange, remote monitoring, and integration with manufacturing execution systems (MES) or enterprise resource planning (ERP) software.

Die plate technology is a critical component of underwater pelletizing systems. Recent advancements have focused on improving die plate designs to achieve precise pellet size control, reduce polymer pressure drop, enhance wear resistance, and enable efficient flow distribution across the die plate. These latest developments are anticipated to boost the underwater pelletizing systems market share.

• Modern strand/underwater systems report maximum throughputs in the tens of thousands of kg/hour (examples: PEARLO models up to 36,000 kg/h; large M-USG strand systems cited up to 20,000 kg/h).

• Lab & pilot underwater pelletizers are increasingly used for product development and micro-pellet work — laboratory units are specified for low-volume work with capacities like up to 100 kg/h (enabling rapid R&D and small-batch qualification without full production lines).

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UNDERWATER PELLETIZING SYSTEMS MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type Analysis

Based on type, the market is divided into single screw extruder pelleizing line, double screw extruder pelleizing line, and other.

Single screw extruder pelleizing line holds a major share of the global market.

By Application Analysis

Based on application, the market is bifurcated into extrusion of soft polyvinyl chloride polyethlene, extrusion of hard polyvinyl chloride polyethlene, avariety of plastic products, and other.

Extrusion of soft polyvinyl chloride polyethlene as application holds a major share of the global market.

DRIVING FACTORS

Enhanced Product Quality to Boost Market Share

Underwater pelletizing systems are known for their ability to produce high-quality plastic pellets with excellent consistency in size, shape, and mechanical properties. The systems provide precise control over pellet formation, resulting in uniform and defect-free pellets. This factor drives the demand for underwater pelletizing systems, especially in applications where pellet quality is critical.

• Large, sustained plastic production (~400–430 million tonnes per year) is driving demand for pellet production and reprocessing infrastructure — this creates a steady base demand for pelletizing equipment, including underwater systems used in compounding and recycling lines. According to the United Nations / UNEP data on global plastics production.

• Advances in pelletizing process engineering (heated die plates, higher motor powers and larger die diameters) have enabled single-machine draw rates and pellet outputs that support compounder requirements — examples include industrial underwater units with design throughputs from ~180 kg/h up to multiple tonnes per hour (ips and other OEM model families).

Increased Efficiency to Boost Market Size

Underwater pelletizing systems offer high production rates and continuous operation, making them efficient and productive for large-scale plastic processing. The systems can handle a wide range of materials and produce pellets with minimal downtime and waste. The ability to achieve high throughput and consistent performance drives their adoption in industries that require high-volume production. These factors are anticipated to drive the underwater pelletizing systems market share.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Operational and Maintenance Challenges to Hamper Market Share

Underwater pelletizing systems can be more complex to operate and maintain compared to other pelletizing methods. They involve specialized equipment, such as cutting chambers, die plates, and water-removal systems, which require skilled personnel for operation and maintenance. The complexity and specific knowledge required for these systems can present challenges in terms of training, availability of skilled personnel, and ongoing maintenance costs. The factors are anticipated to hinder the growth of the underwater pelletizing systems market share.

• Regulatory and policy pressure in major markets has already affected plastics conversion: European plastics production dropped sharply in recent periods (example: ~8.3%** fall reported for 2023 in major coverage)**, which reduces near-term capital investment appetite for new pelletizing lines in some regions

• Underwater pelletizing systems require substantial utilities and cooling infrastructure — process-water and cooling skids are specified with design numbers like up to 50 m³/h process water flow and hundreds of kW of cooling capacity for larger lines (e.g., up to 500 kW cooling capacity in some process water units). These utility requirements raise CAPEX/OPEX and footprint restraints for brownfield upgrades.

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UNDERWATER PELLETIZING SYSTEMS MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Underwater Pelletizing Systems Market

APAC is the major shareholder for the underwater pelletizing systems market share. The region has witnessed significant growth in their plastics industries, leading to increased demand for underwater pelletizing systems. The rapid industrialization and expanding consumer markets in these regions have driven the adoption of advanced technologies for plastic processing. North America is the second major shareholder for the underwater pelletizing systems market share.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Players Focus on Partnerships to Gain a Competitive Advantage

Prominent market players are making collaborative efforts by partnering with other companies to stay ahead in the competition. Many companies are also investing in new product launches to expand their product portfolio. Mergers and acquisitions are also among the key strategies used by players to expand their product portfolio.

• Davis-Standard — offers underwater / water-ring pelletizing equipment with standard machine capacities from pilot sizes up to ~40,000 kg/hr in some line configurations.

• Intelligent Pelletizing Solutions (ips) — offers UWG series machines with throughput ranges reported from ~180 kg/h up to 6,000 kg/h depending on model and configuration; process water and cooling skids are offered up to design flows like 50 m³/h.

List of Top Underwater Pelletizing Systems Companies

• Davis-Standard [U.S.]
• DONGYUE [China]
• ECON [Germany]
• Intelligent Pelletizing Solutions [Germany]
• Kairong Group [China]
• Kerke [China]
• Maag [Switzerland]
• NANJING GS-MACH EXTRUSION EQUIPMENT [China]
• Nanjing Haisi Extrusion Equipment [China]
• NANJING ONPLAS MACHINERY [China]
• Neoplast [India]
• RedScrew [U.S.]
• Trendelkamp [Germany]
• UWG [China]
• Zhengzhou Great Machinery Equipment [China]

REPORT COVERAGE

This research profiles a report with extensive studies that take into description of the firms that exist in the market affecting the forecasting period. With detailed studies done, it also offers a comprehensive analysis by inspecting the factors like segmentation, opportunities, industrial developments, trends, growth, size, share, restraints, etc. This analysis is subject to alteration if the key players and probable analysis of market dynamics changes.