Top 8 Dry Process PCB Recycling Equipment Manufacturers

Founded in 2005, EcoRecycle Tech has been a pioneer in dry process recycling. Headquartered in Germany but with factories in China and Brazil, they’ve built a reputation for machines that blend speed, precision, and sustainability. What really sets them apart? Their focus on circuit board recycling plant with dry separator 500-2000kg/hour capacity —a workhorse that’s become a industry standard.

Their flagship model, the ERT-DS Series, is a beast for mid-to-large scale operations. Let’s break it down: first, PCBs are fed into a high-speed shredder that turns them into small particles. Then, a granulator grinds those particles into even finer powder (we’re talking sub-5mm here). The real magic happens in the air separation unit, which uses a combination of gravity and airflow to separate metals from non-metals. Think of it like panning for gold, but on an industrial scale—no water needed.

Customers love the ERT-DS for its low energy use (around 15kW per hour) and easy maintenance. One recycler in Texas told us, “We used to spend $5k a month on water and chemical disposal with our old wet system—now that’s down to $500 with EcoRecycle’s dry plant. And the metal recovery rate? It went from ~85% to 94%. We’re seeing ROI in under a year.”

Not all recyclers need a 2000kg/hour monster. That’s where GreenCycle Innovations comes in. This U.S.-based company, founded in a garage in 2012, specializes in compact, affordable dry process equipment for small to medium businesses. Their claim to fame? The compact granulator with dry separator equipment , a space-saving system that fits in a 40ft container—perfect for startups or facilities with tight quarters.

The GreenCycle Mini-Dry (GCM-D) is designed for operations processing 100-500kg/hour. Don’t let the size fool you, though—this little machine packs a punch. It uses a dual-stage grinding process: first, a pre-shredder breaks down PCBs into chunks, then a fine granulator reduces them to powder. The dry separator uses electrostatic separation instead of air flow, which is great for separating lighter metals like aluminum from plastics.

What do customers say? A small recycler in India shared, “We started with just 2 employees and a GCM-D. Now, 3 years later, we’re processing over 300kg/day and expanding. GreenCycle’s machine was easy to set up—we had it running in 2 days—and their team walked us through every step, even training our staff for free.”

The downside? It’s not built for high-volume work. If you’re processing more than 500kg/hour, you’ll need to upgrade to their larger model, the GCM-Pro. But for small-scale recyclers, GreenCycle is a game-changer.

With offices in 15 countries and over 2000 machines installed worldwide, Zenith Recycling Systems is a heavyweight in the industry. Founded in Italy in 1998, they’ve expanded rapidly by focusing on innovation and customization. Their star product? The Zenith Z-DRY Series, which includes a circuit board recycling plant wcbd-2000a with dry separator 500-2000kg/hour capacity —a model that’s popular with multinational recycling corporations.

What makes the Z-DRY stand out? Its modular design. Need to process more PCBs? Add an extra shredder. Want to recover specific metals like gold? Swap out the separation unit for a specialized electrostatic separator. Zenith also offers a “turnkey” service—they’ll design your entire recycling line, from PCB intake to metal packaging, and even help with regulatory compliance in your country.

One of their biggest clients is a European recycling giant that processes 10,000 tons of e-waste annually. They use three Z-DRY 2000A plants side by side, each handling 2000kg/hour. “Zenith’s machines are built like tanks,” their operations manager told us. “We run them 24/7, and downtime is less than 1% per month. The after-sales support is also top-notch—their tech team responds in under 2 hours, even on weekends.”

The only catch? Zenith’s systems are on the pricier side (starting at $350k for the Z-DRY 500). But for large-scale operations, the investment pays off in reliability and scalability.

If there’s one word to describe RapidCycle Machinery, it’s “fast.” Founded in South Korea in 2010, this company has made a name for itself by pushing the limits of dry process speed. Their RCM-HS Series can hit 2000kg/hour with ease—making it a favorite for recyclers who need to process large volumes quickly.

How do they do it? The secret is in their high-torque shredders and dual-stage granulators. Most dry systems use a single granulator, but RapidCycle added a second one to speed up the grinding process. Their shredders also have a unique “self-cleaning” design that prevents jams—critical when you’re feeding in PCBs with varying thicknesses (looking at you, old motherboard with thick copper layers).

The RCM-HS isn’t just fast, though—it’s also smart. It comes with a touchscreen control panel that lets operators adjust settings in real time. For example, if the metal recovery rate drops, the system can automatically tweak the air flow in the separator. One recycler in Japan said, “We process over 15 tons of PCBs a day. With RapidCycle’s machine, we can do that in just 8 hours instead of 12. The energy bill is a bit higher, but the extra output more than covers it.”

Downsides? The RCM-HS is loud (around 95dB), so you’ll need sound insulation. And it’s not the most energy-efficient (25kW/hour vs. EcoRecycle’s 15kW/hour). But if speed is your top priority, RapidCycle is worth considering.

Not everyone has $300k to ｄｒｏｐ on a recycling plant. That’s where EcoShred Solutions comes in. Based in China, this company has been making waves since 2015 by offering high-quality dry process equipment at a fraction of the cost of European or U.S. brands. Their best-seller? The EcoShred DS-500, a compact granulator with dry separator equipment that starts at just $45k—perfect for small businesses or startups.

The DS-500 is a no-frills machine, but it gets the job done. It has a single-stage shredder, a granulator, and a basic air separator. It’s not as fast or efficient as EcoRecycle or Zenith’s models (capacity maxes out at 500kg/hour, recovery rate around 90%), but for the price, it’s hard to beat. EcoShred also offers flexible payment plans, which is a big plus for new recyclers.

We spoke to a recycler in Vietnam who started with two DS-500s: “We invested $90k total, and within 6 months, we were profitable. The machines are simple to operate—my workers learned how to use them in a day. The only issue? We had to ｒｅｐｌａｃｅ the granulator blades after 6 months (they cost $500), but that’s normal wear and tear.”

Is EcoShred for everyone? Probably not for large-scale operations, but for small recyclers looking to get started without breaking the bank, it’s a solid choice.

PrecisionRecycling Inc. (PRI) is all about innovation. Founded by a team of engineers from MIT, this U.S.-based company has made a name for itself by integrating cutting-edge tech into dry process equipment. Their latest creation? The PRI-SmartDry, which uses machine learning to optimize metal recovery in real time.

Here’s how it works: sensors in the separator unit constantly monitor the metal-to-non-metal ratio of the output. If the ratio drops below 90%, the system automatically adjusts the airflow, granulator speed, or shredder settings to fix it. It’s like having a PhD in materials science working as your plant manager—24/7. PRI also offers a cloud-based dashboard, so you can monitor your plant’s performance from your phone.

The SmartDry is available in capacities from 500kg to 1500kg/hour, and while it’s pricier than EcoShred (starting at $200k), the tech justifies the cost. One recycler in California said, “We used to have an operator adjust settings manually 3-4 times a day. Now, the SmartDry does it automatically, and our recovery rate is consistently 94-95%. The AI even sends us alerts when parts need maintenance—we haven’t had an unexpected breakdown in a year.”

The only downside? The learning curve. The system is so advanced that operators need 2-3 days of training to use it properly. But PRI includes free training with every purchase, so it’s not a dealbreaker.

EuroRecycle Engineering, based in Austria, is known for one thing: build quality. Their machines are built to last—we’re talking 15-20 years of heavy use. Founded in 1990, they’ve been around longer than most dry process manufacturers, and their experience shows in every detail.

Their flagship dry system, the ERE-DP Series, uses components sourced from top-tier suppliers: Siemens motors, SKF bearings, and Hardox steel blades (which last 3x longer than standard steel). The result? A machine that runs smoothly, even with the toughest PCBs (think military-grade circuit boards or thick multi-layered boards).

One of their unique features is the “multi-stage air separation” unit, which has three separate chambers instead of one. This allows for finer separation—so you can get pure copper, pure aluminum, and pure plastics, instead of a mixed metal fraction. For recyclers who sell high-purity metals, this is a huge advantage (pure copper sells for $0.50-$1/lb more than mixed metals).

Customers rave about the ERE-DP’s durability. A recycler in Germany told us, “We bought our first EuroRecycle machine in 2005, and it’s still running—we only replaced the motor once in 18 years! The new ERE-DP 1500 we bought in 2020 is just as solid.”

The downside? Quality comes at a price. The ERE-DP starts at $400k, which is out of reach for small recyclers. But for large operations that want a machine they can depend on for decades, EuroRecycle is worth the investment.

Rounding out our list is GreenMech Asia, a rising player from Singapore. Founded in 2018, they’re the new kids on the block, but they’ve already made a splash with their innovative dry process equipment designed specifically for Asian markets. What makes them unique? They understand the challenges of recycling in countries with hot, humid climates—like corrosion and dust issues.

Their GreenMech GMA-D Series is built with tropical conditions in mind. The electrical components are sealed to prevent dust and moisture damage, and the air separator has a built-in dehumidifier to ensure consistent performance in high humidity (up to 90% RH). They also offer a “low-dust” design, which is a big plus in densely populated areas where dust pollution is a concern.

The GMA-D 1000 (1000kg/hour capacity) is their most popular model, and it’s priced competitively at $180k. Recyclers in Thailand and Malaysia love it for its reliability in harsh conditions. One customer in Bangkok said, “Our old machine kept breaking down during the rainy season—moisture would get into the motors. GreenMech’s sealed design solved that problem. We haven’t had a single breakdown in 2 years, even with 12-hour shifts.”

GreenMech is still expanding, so their global support network isn’t as large as Zenith or EcoRecycle’s. But they’re growing fast, and their machines are worth keeping an eye on.