Top 5 Hydraulic Briquetting Machine Suppliers in South Africa

Founded in 2010 in Johannesburg, EcoPress Solutions has built a reputation for thinking outside the box—especially when it comes to mobility. For businesses that need to process metal powders or small scrap on-site (think construction sites, small-scale recycling yards, or remote mining operations), their portable briquetting machines are a game-changer. Unlike bulky, fixed machines that require dedicated floor space, EcoPress’s designs prioritize portability without sacrificing power.

Their star product, the portable briquetting machine PHBM-003 , is a favorite among contractors and small recyclers. Weighing just 450kg and fitting into a standard ute, it can compress metal powders (like iron, copper, or aluminum) into dense briquettes with a pressure of up to 120 tons. One customer, a scrap metal dealer in Durban, shared, “Before, we’d have to transport loose metal shavings to a central facility—now we briquette on-site, cutting transport costs by 30%. The PHBM-003 is tough, too; we’ve been using it daily for two years, and it’s still running like new.”

EcoPress also offers a range of accessories, like custom dies for different briquette shapes, and they’ve recently expanded into battery-powered models for areas with unreliable electricity. For anyone who needs flexibility without compromising on performance, EcoPress is a top pick.

Plastic waste is a growing problem in South Africa, with millions of tons ending up in landfills each year. AfriBriq Industries, based in Cape Town, saw an opportunity to turn this problem into a resource—and their plastic hydraulic briquetter has become a cornerstone of the country’s plastic recycling efforts. What sets them apart? They don’t just sell machines; they sell a complete solution for plastic scrap management.

AfriBriq’s plastic briquetters are designed to handle everything from thin film to rigid plastic scraps. The magic lies in their heating and compression system: the machine first melts the plastic at a controlled temperature (to avoid toxic fumes) before compressing it into dense briquettes that can be sold to plastic manufacturers as raw material. A recycling plant in Port Elizabeth reported that after switching to AfriBriq’s machine, they increased their plastic processing capacity by 40% and reduced waste disposal costs by half.

“Plastic is tricky—it’s lightweight but bulky, so transporting loose scrap is inefficient,” explains Sarah Mokoena, AfriBriq’s sales manager. “Our briquettes reduce volume by 70%, making it profitable to transport them to plastic reprocessors. Plus, our machines are built with stainless steel chambers to resist corrosion from acidic plastics, so they last longer than generic models.”

Beyond plastic, they also offer models tailored for rubber and foam waste, making them a versatile choice for recycling facilities handling mixed materials.

When it comes to heavy-duty briquetting—think mining operations processing tons of ore dust, or steel mills compressing metal slag—size and power matter. HydraSouth Engineering, with headquarters in Pretoria, specializes in industrial-grade hydraulic press machines equipment that can handle the toughest jobs. Their machines aren’t just big; they’re built to last in harsh environments.

Their flagship Industrial Hydraulic Press Machine, with a compression force of 500 tons, is a beast. It’s designed to process up to 2 tons of material per hour, making it ideal for large mines and manufacturing plants. What impresses customers most is its durability: the press ram is made from high-grade alloy steel, and the hydraulic system uses oil filtration to prevent wear and tear from dust and debris. A gold mine in Welkom shared, “We run this machine 16 hours a day, 6 days a week, and in three years, we’ve only needed minor repairs. It’s been a workhorse for our tailings processing.”

HydraSouth doesn’t just stop at standard models, either. They work closely with clients to customize machines for specific materials—like high-temperature briquetting for molten metal scraps or moisture-resistant designs for wet ore processing. Their engineering team includes metallurgists and hydraulic specialists, ensuring that each machine is optimized for the material it will process.

While their machines come with a higher price tag, customers argue that the ROI is worth it—faster processing times, lower maintenance costs, and higher-quality briquettes that fetch better prices on the market.

Not every business needs a 500-ton press or a portable machine. For small to medium enterprises (SMEs) just starting in recycling or metalworking, affordability and simplicity are key. That’s where BriqTech Africa, based in Durban, shines. Since 2015, they’ve focused on creating entry-level hydraulic briquetters that are easy to use, budget-friendly, and reliable enough for daily operation.

Their Entry-Level Hydraulic Briquetter, priced at around R85,000 (almost half the cost of some industrial models), is perfect for small scrap yards, auto repair shops, or craft metalworkers. It has a compression force of 80 tons, enough to briquette aluminum shavings, copper wire scraps, or even wood chips for biomass fuel. “As a startup recycling copper, we couldn’t afford a big machine,” said a customer in Pietermaritzburg. “BriqTech’s entry model let us start small, and as we grew, they helped us upgrade parts—like adding a larger hopper—to keep up with demand.”

BriqTech’s secret is simplifying without cutting corners. They use off-the-shelf hydraulic components (easily sourced in South Africa) to keep costs down, but the frame and pressing components are still made from durable steel. They also offer flexible payment plans, which is a lifesaver for cash-strapped SMEs.

For entrepreneurs looking to break into the recycling industry without a huge upfront investment, BriqTech is the go-to choice.

Not all waste is created equal. E-waste, cables, and other specialized materials require briquetting machines designed for their unique properties. Southern Hydraulics, based in Cape Town, has made a name for itself by creating tailored hydraulic briquetting systems for these niche applications. If you’ve got a tricky material that standard machines can’t handle, they’ll design a solution from the ground up.

Take their work with cable recycling, for example. Scrap cables have a mix of metal and plastic, which can jam standard briquetters. Southern Hydraulics developed a machine with a pre-shredding chamber and adjustable compression settings to separate and briquette the metal cores without damaging the plastic insulation. A cable recycling plant in Johannesburg noted, “We’d tried three other machines before Southern Hydraulics—none could handle the copper wire without tangling. Their custom design solved that problem in weeks.”

They also specialize in e-waste, creating briquetters that can process circuit board scraps (minus the hazardous components) into metal briquettes. Their team includes materials scientists who test client samples to ensure the machine is optimized for density, heat resistance, and safety.

For businesses dealing with non-standard waste streams, Southern Hydraulics is worth the investment—you won’t find off-the-shelf machines that can match their tailored performance.