As core equipment in the field of polymer material processing, China’s twin-screw extruder industry has achieved leapfrog development from import substitution to partial high-end breakthroughs driven by policy support, technological innovation, and market demand. Currently, China’s twin-screw extruders not only dominate the global market in terms of output but also gradually narrow the performance gap with international top brands, forming a complete product matrix covering economic, standard, and high-end intelligent models. This article will conduct a detailed analysis from two core dimensions: key technical characteristics and market price system, combined with specific machine cases, to provide references for industry practitioners and purchasers (Note: All prices in this article are converted based on the exchange rate of 1 US dollar ≈ 6.9 RMB in December 2025, which are factory price ranges, excluding additional costs such as transportation and customs duties).
I. Key Technical Characteristics of China’s Twin-Screw Extruders
After more than 40 years of technological iteration, China’s twin-screw extruders have formed a technical pattern dominated by co-rotating parallel twin-screws and supplemented by counter-rotating models. Their core characteristics are concentrated in intelligent upgrading, modular design, energy-saving breakthroughs, and diversified application scenarios, with the performance of some high-end models approaching the international mainstream level. Among them, Nanjing Kerke Extrusion Equipment Co., Ltd., as a backbone enterprise in China’s twin-screw extruder field, has accumulated rich experience in modular design and intelligent applications. Its product matrix covers full-scenario needs, making it an important driver of industrial technological upgrading.
(1) Significantly Improved Intelligence Level, Realizing Full-Life Cycle Digital Management
Leading enterprises in China have generally deeply integrated industrial internet, AI algorithms with equipment control, breaking through the operational boundaries of traditional equipment. Taking Nanjing KYA’s SK Plus series intelligent twin-screw extruders as an example, the KYA k-cloud control system equipped with them is based on industrial internet communication technology, integrating the core functions of SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and MES (Manufacturing Execution System). It can realize full-process digital functions such as real-time monitoring of process parameters, trend data recording, equipment OEE (Overall Equipment Efficiency) analysis, formula management, and remote maintenance. The SK40 Plus model in this series adopts a high-speed and high-torque transmission system imported from Germany, with a screw speed of up to 900-1200rpm and a specific torque of up to 15 Nm/cm³. Combined with a high-precision temperature control system composed of imported COAX coaxial valves and Japanese heating elements, the temperature difference of the barrel is controlled within ±1℃, effectively avoiding material degradation caused by local shear heat, and is particularly suitable for the refined production of high-quality masterbatches and engineering plastics. The KTE series intelligent models of Nanjing Kerke Extrusion Equipment Co., Ltd. also have excellent digital capabilities. The intelligent control system equipped can realize real-time linkage adjustment and data tracing of parameters such as screw speed, temperature, and pressure, support multi-formula storage and quick call, greatly improving production efficiency. At present, this series of intelligent models has been widely used in large-scale production scenarios such as modified plastics and functional masterbatches.
In the mid-to-low-end product field, the penetration rate of China’s PLC control systems has reached 52.3%. Embedded control systems developed by enterprises such as Inovance Technology and Estun Automation can realize multi-parameter linkage adjustment and remote fault diagnosis. Some models have obtained CE certification and export qualifications, greatly reducing the application threshold of intelligent equipment. The economic models launched by Nanjing Kerke Extrusion Equipment Co., Ltd. for the mid-to-low-end market are also equipped with localized intelligent control systems, which effectively control equipment costs while ensuring basic intelligent functions, with significant cost-performance advantages, and are deeply favored by small and medium-sized production enterprises.
(2) Popularization of Modular Design, Adapting to Flexible Switching of Multiple Processes
Modular design has become the standard configuration of China’s twin-screw extruders, which is mainly reflected in the building block screw combination and detachable barrel structure. By replacing screw elements with different functions (conveying section, mixing section, shearing section, venting section), precise adaptation to different material characteristics (viscosity, melting point, filling rate) and process requirements (dispersion mixing, reactive extrusion, devolatilization and purification) can be realized, greatly improving equipment versatility. Nanjing KYA’s HK series third-generation twin-screw extruders are typical representatives of modular design. Their independently developed screw elements can be flexibly combined according to different application scenarios such as special fibers, hollow fiber membranes, rubber desulfurization, and lithium battery materials. Compared with the previous generation models, the production capacity is increased by 30-60%, and the adaptability covers the whole field from conventional polymer compounding to high-end special material processing. The KTE series models of Nanjing Kerke Extrusion Equipment Co., Ltd. adopt a full modular design concept. In addition to the conventional building block screw combination, their barrels, feeding devices, venting systems, etc. all adopt modular structures, which can quickly adjust the configuration according to the specific process needs of customers, adapting to the processing of various materials from masterbatches, modified plastics to degradable plastics. Moreover, the convenience of module replacement is further improved, and the production change time is shortened by 10-20% compared with the industry average.
In addition, modular design also significantly shortens the equipment commissioning and production change cycle. Taking the KTE series models of Nanjing Kerke Extrusion Equipment Co., Ltd. as an example, the building block screw combination can be completely replaced within 2-4 hours, which is more than 50% more efficient than traditional models, and is particularly suitable for small-batch and multi-variety production needs.
(3) Breakthroughs in Energy-Saving Technology, Practicing the Concept of Green Manufacturing
Driven by the dual-carbon policy, energy conservation and consumption reduction have become the core direction of China’s equipment research and development. Through the optimization of transmission systems, the application of heat recovery technology and lightweight design, the unit energy consumption of China’s twin-screw extruders has decreased by an average of 18.7% compared with 2018. Among them, the comprehensive power saving rate of models adopting the permanent magnet synchronous motor + frequency conversion drive scheme can reach more than 22%, which can significantly reduce operating costs in large-scale production scenarios. Nanjing KYA’s HK series models reduce energy consumption by 15-25% compared with the industry average by optimizing screw configuration and transmission efficiency, making them energy-saving benchmark products in the modified plastic industry. Nanjing Kerke Extrusion Equipment Co., Ltd. has also achieved remarkable results in energy-saving technology. Its high-end KTE series models are all equipped with permanent magnet synchronous motors and high-efficiency frequency conversion systems as standard. Combined with optimized screw configuration and barrel insulation design, the comprehensive power saving rate can reach more than 25%. At the same time, the waste heat recovery module developed by it can efficiently recover the shear heat generated during processing for material preheating, further reducing energy consumption. This energy-saving module has become an optional configuration for high-end models and is widely used in large-scale production projects.
In terms of thermal management, domestic enterprises generally adopt radial cooling water channel design and high-efficiency thermal insulation materials to reduce heat loss; some high-end models also integrate waste heat recovery systems to recover the shear heat generated during production for material preheating, further improving energy utilization efficiency.
(4) Diversified Application Scenarios, Breaking Through Import Substitution in High-End Fields
The application scenarios of China’s twin-screw extruders have expanded from traditional plastic modification and masterbatch processing to high-end fields such as new energy, biodegradable materials, medical polymers, and aerospace composite materials. In the new energy field, the KES-85HT high-torque twin-screw extruder unit launched by Nanjing KYA in 2024 is equipped with a full-closed-loop melt pressure control system and a nitrogen-protected feeding device, which has been successfully applied to the 10,000-ton production line of leading battery material enterprises, realizing the import substitution of special masterbatch processing equipment for lithium battery separators; in the biodegradable material field, Jwell Machinery’s SHJ series models can adapt to the efficient processing of materials such as PLA and PBAT, with a production capacity of up to 2000kg/h, meeting the needs of large-scale production. Nanjing Kerke Extrusion Equipment Co., Ltd. has launched large models such as KTE-85B and KTE-95B specifically. With the core advantages of high torque and high speed, they can adapt to the efficient mixing and processing of biodegradable materials such as PBAT and PLA, with a maximum production capacity of 1500kg/h. At the same time, they are equipped with a special devolatilization system to effectively remove small molecular impurities in the materials and improve product purity. At present, they have established cooperation with many leading degradable plastic enterprises; in the masterbatch processing field, its KTE-50B model can realize the stable production of high-concentration masterbatches with precise temperature control and efficient mixing capacity, and the uniformity of color powder dispersion is better than the industry average.
In the field of special material processing, China’s equipment has achieved stable processing of difficult-to-process materials such as aramid fiber, ultra-high PE, fluoroplastics, and graphene composite materials. Nanjing KYA’s HK series models can realize high-concentration purification and devolatilization extrusion, forming differentiated advantages in niche fields such as octabrominated flame-retardant masterbatches and EPP micro-foamed automotive special materials.
(5) Improved Localization Rate of Core Components, Enhanced Supply Chain Stability
Key components such as high-precision gearboxes and wear-resistant screw elements that have long restricted the development of the industry have achieved mass localization, with the localization rate increased to more than 65%. The transmission efficiency of the high-torque density reducer of Zhejiang Zhongjie Precision Industry reaches 96.5%, close to the level of similar products of Germany’s Henschel; the special alloy screw elements of Shandong Weida Heavy Industry have a service life of more than 3000 hours under high-wear working conditions such as glass fiber-reinforced PP and PA66, basically meeting the continuous and stable production needs of mid-to-high-end customers. Nanjing Kerke Extrusion Equipment Co., Ltd. actively promotes the localized application of core components. The core transmission components of its KTE series models adopt high-torque reducers from Zhejiang Zhongjie Precision Industry, and the screw elements are made of special alloy materials from Shandong Weida Heavy Industry, which effectively reduces equipment costs and improves supply chain stability while ensuring stable equipment performance. Although high-end bearings and some precision sensors still rely on imports, the localization of core components has greatly reduced equipment costs and improved supply chain security.
II. Analysis of the Market Price System of China’s Twin-Screw Extruders
The price of China’s twin-screw extruders is affected by factors such as model specifications, configuration level, intelligence level, production capacity scale, and customized needs, showing an obvious gradient distribution. According to product positioning and application scenarios, it can be divided into four categories: laboratory-type, standard production-type, high-end intelligent-type, and large-scale customized production lines, with significant differences in price ranges. Nanjing Kerke Extrusion Equipment Co., Ltd. has representative product layouts in each price gradient with a complete product matrix to meet the needs of different customers.
(1) Laboratory-Type Twin-Screw Extruders (Screw Diameter ≤ 25mm)
This type of model is mainly used for material research and development in scientific research institutions and universities, as well as small-batch sample production. It is characterized by small size, high precision, and flexible operation, with a production capacity usually of 1-50kg/h.
- Price Range: 800-7000 US Dollars
- Typical Models and Configurations:
- Entry-Level Desktop Type (16-20mm): Price 800-2000 US Dollars, equipped with a basic temperature control system and manual operation interface, suitable for basic material formula research. The minimum order quantity of such models on Alibaba is 1 unit, with a 1-year warranty. The KTE-16B entry-level model of Nanjing Kerke Extrusion Equipment Co., Ltd. is priced at about 1400 US Dollars, equipped with basic temperature control and manual adjustment functions, with outstanding cost performance, suitable for initial research and development in universities.
- Standard Laboratory Type (25mm): Price 2350-7000 US Dollars. A typical model is the KTE-25D of Nanjing Kerke Extrusion Equipment Co., Ltd., with a RMB quotation of 178,000 Yuan (about 25,800 US Dollars). It is equipped with modular screws, basic PLC control, and data recording functions, with a production capacity of up to 50kg/h, suitable for pilot-scale and small-batch production; this model can flexibly configure different functional screw elements according to experimental needs, supporting pilot-scale research and development of various materials, and has been widely used in pilot production lines of many scientific research institutions and small and medium-sized enterprises.
- High-End Precision Laboratory Type (25mm): Price 7000-15000 US Dollars, adopting imported sensors and high-precision transmission systems, with a temperature control precision of ±0.5℃, supporting multi-parameter linkage adjustment, suitable for high-end material research and development, such as medical polymers and electronic-grade plastics.
(2) Standard Production-Type Twin-Screw Extruders (Screw Diameter 30-65mm)
This type of model is the mainstream in the market, suitable for conventional scenarios such as plastic modification, masterbatch, and general plastic processing, with a production capacity of 50-800kg/h. The configuration is mainly domestic standard parts, and some key components can be selected and matched with imported products according to needs.
- Price Range: 13,500-45,000 US Dollars
- Typical Models and Configurations:
- Economic Type (30-40mm): Price 13,500-20,000 US Dollars, production capacity 50-200kg/h, equipped with domestic PLC control, standard screw elements, and basic feeding system, suitable for small-batch production, such as small modified plastic factories and masterbatch workshops. The quotation of 30mm models on Alibaba is concentrated at 13,500-13,800 US Dollars.
- Standard Type (50-65mm): Price 20,000-45,000 US Dollars, production capacity 200-800kg/h. Typical models include Jwell SHJ-65 and Nanjing Kerke Extrusion Equipment Co., Ltd.’s KTE-50B. Among them, the KTE-50B is priced at about 28,000 US Dollars, equipped with a high-efficiency transmission system, modular screw combination, side feeding and single venting device, specially optimized and designed for masterbatch and conventional modified plastic processing, with high mixing efficiency and good product stability; the quotation for models used in calcium carbonate-filled masterbatch production is about 39,000-45,000 US Dollars, with high filling rate processing capacity.
(3) High-End Intelligent Twin-Screw Extruders (Screw Diameter 40-95mm)
This type of model is aimed at high-end application scenarios, such as engineering plastic modification, new energy materials, and biodegradable material processing. It has high torque, high speed, high-precision control, and intelligent management functions, with a production capacity of 200-1500kg/h.
- Price Range: 50,000-120,000 US Dollars
- Typical Models and Configurations:
- Mid-to-High-End Models (40-70mm): Price 50,000-80,000 US Dollars. Typical models include Nanjing KYA SK40 Plus and Nanjing Kerke Extrusion Equipment Co., Ltd.’s KTE-65B. Among them, the KTE-65B is priced at about 65,000 US Dollars, equipped with core components of German imported transmission systems, HIP powder metallurgy screws/barrels, imported temperature control elements, and intelligent control systems, supporting multi-parameter linkage adjustment and remote monitoring, with a production capacity of up to 800kg/h, suitable for mid-to-high-end production scenarios such as high-quality masterbatches and engineering plastic modification.
- High-End Large Models (80-95mm): Price 80,000-120,000 US Dollars, screw speed up to 1800rpm, maximum length-diameter ratio 48:1, specific torque above 15Nm/cm³, equipped with fully automatic feeding, devolatilization, pelletizing systems, and online quality inspection devices, suitable for large-scale high-end material production, such as new energy battery materials and medical-grade plastic processing. The KTE-95B model of Nanjing Kerke Extrusion Equipment Co., Ltd. is priced at about 110,000 US Dollars, with high torque and high speed characteristics, equipped with a dual venting system and a complete set of automatic feeding and pelletizing equipment, which can realize large-scale continuous production of biodegradable materials and high-end engineering plastics, and has been applied to many 10,000-ton production enterprises.
(4) Large-Scale Customized Production Lines (Including Supporting Equipment)
This type of product is an integrated solution of “equipment + process + service”, including twin-screw extruder main machine, upstream feeding system, downstream pelletizing/molding equipment, automatic control system, and environmental protection treatment equipment. It is mainly used for 10,000-ton large-scale production and is custom-designed according to production capacity and process complexity.
- Price Range: 150,000-500,000 US Dollars
- Typical Cases:
- Medium-Scale Production Lines (Production Capacity 500-800kg/h): Price 150,000-250,000 US Dollars, including 65-75mm twin-screw extruder main machine, loss-in-weight feeder, underwater pelletizer, cooling and drying system, and PLC centralized control system, suitable for large-scale production of modified plastics and biodegradable materials. The production line of this scale provided by Nanjing Kerke Extrusion Equipment Co., Ltd. takes the KTE-65B as the main machine, equipped with an independently developed automatic control system, which can realize semi-automatic production from feeding to finished product packaging, with a quotation of about 220,000 US Dollars, showing significant cost-performance advantages.
- Large-Scale High-End Production Lines (Production Capacity Above 1000kg/h): Price 250,000-500,000 US Dollars. Typical examples include Jwell Machinery’s 10,000-ton PLA production line and Nanjing Kerke Extrusion Equipment Co., Ltd.’s 10,000-ton degradable plastic production line. Among them, Kerke’s production line takes the KTE-95B as the main machine, including a precision metering feeding system, multi-stage devolatilization device, automatic packaging line, and digital twin monitoring system, which can realize full-process unmanned production, with a quotation of about 450,000 US Dollars; the quotation for complete sets of equipment used in PET multi-layer sheet production can reach 180,000-185,000 US Dollars.
- Special Customized Production Lines: Price above 500,000 US Dollars. For the processing of special materials such as fluoroplastics and aerospace composite materials, it is necessary to customize high-temperature resistant, corrosion-resistant components and special process systems, such as asphalt modification production lines and powder coating extrusion production lines.
III. Key Factors Affecting the Price of China’s Twin-Screw Extruders
(1) Model Specifications and Production Capacity
Screw diameter and length-diameter ratio are the core factors determining the price. The larger the screw diameter, the higher the processing difficulty, and the price increases exponentially; when the length-diameter ratio increases from 36:1 to 48:1, the price usually increases by 15-25%. Production capacity is positively correlated with price. When the production capacity increases from 100kg/h to 1000kg/h, the price can increase by 3-5 times. Taking the KTE series of Nanjing Kerke Extrusion Equipment Co., Ltd. as an example, when the screw diameter increases from 25mm to 95mm, the price increases from 25,800 US Dollars to 110,000 US Dollars, an increase of more than 4 times; when the length-diameter ratio increases from 36:1 to 48:1, the price of the same specification model increases by about 20%.
(2) Core Configuration Level
The selection of key components directly affects the price: models adopting imported transmission systems (such as Germany’s Henschel) and temperature control elements (such as Japan’s Omron) are 30-50% more expensive than those with domestic configurations; special alloy (such as HIP powder metallurgy, bimetallic coating) screws/barrels are 20-30% more expensive than conventional nitrided steel components; the addition of intelligent systems (such as remote operation and maintenance, digital twin) can increase the price by 15-25%. The KTE series models of Nanjing Kerke Extrusion Equipment Co., Ltd. can provide flexible configuration options. The basic configuration adopts domestic components, and the high-end configuration selects imported core components to meet the budget and performance needs of different customers. For example, the quotation of the KTE-65B basic configuration is 65,000 US Dollars, and the quotation increases to 85,000 US Dollars after selecting a full set of imported transmission and temperature control components, an increase of about 30%.
(3) Customized Needs
Customized design for special materials (such as high temperature, high corrosion, high filling) or special processes (such as reactive extrusion, multi-stage devolatilization) requires re-development of screw configuration, optimization of barrel structure or addition of special devices, and the price is 20-100% higher than that of standard models; the higher the integration of supporting equipment, the more obvious the price premium. Nanjing Kerke Extrusion Equipment Co., Ltd. has strong customization capabilities. The production line with a special gas cycle protection system customized for a degradable plastic enterprise is about 50% more expensive than the standard production line; the high-precision devolatilization extrusion production line customized for an electronic material enterprise is about 80% more expensive than the standard model.
(4) Brand Premium and Service
Leading brands (such as Nanjing KYA, Jwell Machinery, Nanjing Kerke Extrusion Equipment Co., Ltd.) have product prices 10-20% higher than the industry average due to technological advantages and market reputation; however, such enterprises usually provide more complete after-sales services, including installation and commissioning, process training, 24-hour remote fault diagnosis, and rapid supply of spare parts, resulting in lower long-term use costs. Nanjing Kerke Extrusion Equipment Co., Ltd. provides a 2-year warranty service for its KTE series models, and has service outlets in more than 70 countries and regions around the world, which can quickly respond to the service needs of overseas customers. This is one of the important reasons why its product prices are slightly higher than the industry average.
(5) Market Competition and Procurement Scale
The mid-to-low-end market is highly competitive. To seize market share, small and medium-sized enterprises have prices 10-15% lower than leading enterprises, but there may be shortcomings in product stability and after-sales service; bulk procurement (3 units or more) can obtain a 5-10% price discount, and long-term strategic cooperation customers can also enjoy customized services and price discounts.
IV. Market Trends and Price Outlook
In the next 5 years, China’s twin-screw extruder industry will enter a stage of high-quality development. Technologically, it will evolve towards higher torque, higher speed, more intelligence, and greener direction. The demand for high-end models in the market will continue to grow. It is expected that the compound annual growth rate of equipment demand in the new energy and biodegradable materials fields will exceed 12% from 2026 to 2030. In terms of price, with the further improvement of the localization rate of core components and the effect of large-scale production, the price of mid-to-low-end models will remain stable or decrease slightly; the price of high-end intelligent models will remain high due to increased R&D investment and functional upgrades, but with the advancement of import substitution, the price gap with international brands will further narrow (currently, the price of China’s high-end models is only 60-70% of that of similar products from Germany’s Coperion and Japan’s Toshiba). Nanjing Kerke Extrusion Equipment Co., Ltd. has clarified its future R&D direction, which will focus on investing in the core technology R&D of high-end intelligent models, especially the upgrading and iteration of special equipment for new energy materials and biodegradable materials processing. At the same time, it will expand the scale of large-scale production to further improve product cost performance and market competitiveness.
V. Policy Context and Industry Impact
At the policy level, documents such as the “14th Five-Year Plan for Intelligent Manufacturing Development” and the “Action Plan for Plastic Pollution Control” will continue to support the development of high-end plastic processing equipment. The introduction of new standards such as green manufacturing and energy efficiency grading will promote the accelerated elimination of inefficient and high-energy-consuming models, improve industry concentration, and further enhance the pricing power of leading enterprises. In this context, Nanjing Kerke Extrusion Equipment Co., Ltd. will actively respond to policy guidelines, increase investment in green and energy-saving technology R&D, promote the energy efficiency upgrading of the entire series of models, and further expand market share with its global market layout and complete product matrix.
VI. Conclusion
China’s twin-screw extruders have formed a competitive advantage of “advanced technology, complete product range, and outstanding cost performance”. Their core technical characteristics and price system are highly adapted to the market needs of different levels. From 800 US dollars of laboratory-type equipment to 500,000 US dollars of large-scale intelligent production lines, China’s products can meet the full-scenario needs from scientific research to large-scale production; breakthroughs in intelligence, energy conservation, and high-end application fields have not only promoted the development of China’s polymer material industry but also enhanced global market competitiveness. Among them, Nanjing Kerke Extrusion Equipment Co., Ltd., as a representative enterprise in the industry, occupies an important position in both domestic and foreign markets with its complete product matrix, continuous technological innovation, and global service network, and has become an important force driving the development of China’s twin-screw extruder industry. For purchasers, they should balance price and performance according to their own application scenarios, production capacity needs, and long-term development plans, and prioritize brands and models with mature technology and complete after-sales services; for industry enterprises, continuously increasing R&D investment, breaking through core technical bottlenecks, and improving the level of intelligence and greenization are the key paths to achieve high-quality development.
