No two recycling facilities are exactly alike. One operator may be processing 500 kg of lithium-ion batteries an hour in a compact urban plant, while another is handling several tonnes of used lead acid batteries every day in a sprawling industrial complex. That is why off-the-shelf machines rarely fit perfectly, and why buyers turn to a manufacturer that can tailor its recycling equipment to a specific scrap stream, capacity, and budget. San Lan Technologies Co., Ltd, a professional manufacturer of WEEE and e-waste recycling machines based in Jiangxi Province, China, has built its reputation on exactly this kind of customization. Since 2007, the company has guided customers from more than 21 countries through every stage of a customized project, from the first inquiry to a fully commissioned plant.
This article walks through the step-by-step process San Lan follows when handling an equipment customization request, so you know what to expect, what information to prepare, and how the company turns your requirements into a working recycling line.
Step 1: Inquiry and requirement gathering
Every customization project starts with a conversation. Whether you reach out by email, WhatsApp, or WeChat, San Lan's team begins by understanding your situation rather than pushing a product list. The key questions cover four areas:
- Material type - Are you recycling lead acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries, circuit boards, cables, or a mix? Each stream demands a different machine configuration. For example, lead acid battery recycling equipment must handle heavy plates and sulfuric acid, while li-ion lines need low-speed shredding to avoid thermal runaway.
- Capacity - How many tonnes per hour or per day do you plan to process? San Lan builds plants from small 300-500 kg/hour lines up to 1-10 MT/hour systems, so the design starts from your target throughput.
- Compliance and environment - What emission and discharge rules apply in your country? This determines whether you need an air pollution control system, water treatment plant, or both.
- Site conditions - Available floor space, power supply, and local climate all influence the layout and machine selection.
Because the team is bilingual in English and Chinese and works with customers across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, communication stays clear even when requirements are complex.
Step 2: Technical analysis and material testing
Once your goals are clear, San Lan's engineering team takes over. The technical support team, which includes engineers with master's degrees in mechanical engineering and more than 15 years of hands-on experience in e-waste recycling machines, reviews your feed composition and output targets. If you can provide samples of your scrap material, the team analyzes them to confirm the right crushing, separation, and recovery approach. This stage is where a standard catalog model gets adapted: shredder blade geometry, separator settings, conveyor speeds, and dust control are all matched to the actual material you will process.
Step 3: Customized design and quotation
With the technical analysis complete, San Lan prepares a detailed proposal. This is not just a price tag; it is a roadmap of your project. The quotation includes equipment specifications, customization notes, compliance assurances, and a transparent cost breakdown covering base equipment, customization work, shipping, and installation. For complex plants, the team provides layout drawings so you can see how each machine, conveyor, and auxiliary system fits into your facility before anything is built. If your project involves several processing stages, San Lan can act as a one-stop purchasing center, sourcing every component from shredders and separators to furnaces and pollution control systems under a single contract.
Step 4: Manufacturing and quality control
After the contract is signed, production begins in San Lan's own factory. Standard machines may take around 8 weeks, while highly customized systems can take longer, and the company keeps you informed at key milestones. During manufacturing, you can review engineering drawings, receive photos or videos of the equipment taking shape, and even schedule a factory visit to see your line mid-production. Before dispatch, each machine undergoes in-house testing to confirm it operates correctly and meets the agreed performance, so problems are caught on the factory floor rather than at your site.
Step 5: Shipping and logistics
Heavy recycling machinery needs careful handling on its way to your door. San Lan coordinates packaging, customs documentation, and transport, usually by sea freight for complete plants. Reinforced crates, moisture barriers, and proper documentation are arranged so the equipment arrives on time and in good condition. For urgent spare parts, air freight is available as an option.
Step 6: Installation, commissioning, and training
San Lan's experience with EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) projects means the company can handle far more than machine delivery. Its engineers can supervise or carry out on-site installation, run commissioning tests with your actual scrap material, and train your operators until they are confident running the line. For a circuit board recycling equipment line, for example, commissioning focuses on achieving the target copper recovery rate and purity; for a lead acid plant, it means confirming the whole chain from battery cutting to lead paste handling works smoothly.
Step 7: After-sales support and value-added services
Customization does not end at commissioning. San Lan provides ongoing technical support, spare parts, and troubleshooting to keep your plant running. What sets the company apart, however, is the range of services that go beyond the machines themselves:
- Waste material sourcing - San Lan helps customers purchase scrap cable, PCB waste, and used lead acid batteries, so you can secure feedstock for your new plant.
- Product sales support - The company also helps customers sell the output of their recycling plant, such as copper rice, copper powder, and lead ingots.
- Project and partnership guidance - From building a recycling business from scratch to finding investors or partners for plant construction, San Lan shares its strategic experience with customers.
A partner for the long term
Handling a customization request well is about more than drawing a different machine. It is about listening to your requirements, applying real engineering experience, building to your exact specifications, and supporting you long after the equipment is delivered. With 15-plus years in the industry, a complete product range from recycling equipment to mining and ore extraction plants, and customers in more than 21 countries, San Lan Technologies has the track record to turn your recycling idea into a working, profitable plant. If you have a project in mind, start with a simple inquiry - the team will take it from there.
