Apollo extrusion blow molding machines (core product line of Apollo Machinery in Zhangjiagang, China, and Apollo Factory under Wanplas Group) are specially designed for the mass production of detergent bottles (laundry detergent bottles, dish soap bottles, hand sanitizer bottles, etc.), covering the full capacity range of 500mL~5L. They are mainly compatible with mainstream raw materials such as HDPE and PP, and can meet the requirements of leakproofness, surface smoothness, printing adaptability and environmental protection for detergent bottles in the daily chemical industry. Through modular design, high-precision control and efficient continuous operation capability, they have become the core equipment choice for global detergent bottle manufacturers, especially occupying a prominent market share in the 1~5L medium-capacity detergent bottle field.
I. Detailed Introduction to Core Models (Including Key Technical Parameters)
Apollo has created ABLB (small and medium-sized, 200mL~20L) and ABLD (medium and large-sized, 20~60L) series for detergent bottle production, among which the ABLB series is the mainstream choice. Each model has customized adaptability, and the key parameters are shown in the following tables:
1. ABLB Series (Special for 500mL~5L Detergent Bottles)
| Model | Maximum Capacity | Dry Cycle Capacity (PC/H) | Screw Parameters (Diameter/L/D Ratio) | HDPE Output (kg/h) | Drive Power (kW) | Clamping Force (kN) | Price Range (10,000 CNY) | Core Application Scenarios |
| ABLB45I/II | 2L/1L | 1550/700×2 | 45mm/24:1 | 30 | 11 | 80 | 15~25 | 500mL~1L hand sanitizer bottles, 1~2L laundry detergent bottles |
| ABLB55I/II | 3L/2L | 1100/950×2 | 55mm/24:1 | 60 | 15 | 120 | 18~30 | 2~3L dish soap bottles, medium-capacity laundry detergent bottles |
| ABLB65I/II | 5L/3.5L | 1000/800×2 | 65mm/24:1 | 75 | 18.5 | 160 | 22~40 | 3.5~5L large-capacity laundry detergent bottles, industrial dish soap bottles |
| ABLB75 | 8L | 800 | 75mm/24:1 | 100 | 22 | 200 | 28~45 | 5~8L hotel-use large-capacity detergent bottles, industrial cleaning agent bottles |
Note: Dual-station models (suffixed with II) adopt independent drive systems, with capacity increased by 50~100% compared to single-station models, but the equipment floor space increases by about 30%, suitable for mass production of standardized detergent bottles
2. ABLD Series (Special for 5~20L Large-capacity Detergent Containers)
| Model | Maximum Capacity | Actual Capacity (10L Detergent Container, PC/H) | Screw Parameters (Diameter/L/D Ratio) | HDPE Output (kg/h) | Clamping Force (kN) | Blowing Pressure (MPa) | Price Range (10,000 CNY) | Core Application Scenarios |
| ABLD80 | 30L | 40~50 | 80mm/25:1 | 130 | 260 | 0.6~0.8 | 60~100 | 10~20L industrial cleaning agent barrels, hotel-use bulk detergent containers |
II. Analysis of Core Technical Adaptability in Detergent Bottle Production
1. Raw Material Adaptability and Structural Customization Capability
Apollo equipment is optimally designed for the characteristics of mainstream detergent bottle raw materials and supports special structural customization to meet the needs of the daily chemical industry:
- Raw Material Compatibility: Core compatible with HDPE (high-density polyethylene, accounting for more than 90% of detergent bottle raw materials), supporting PP (for transparent detergent bottles) and HDPE/PP blended materials, and can process HDPE raw materials with a melt flow rate of 0.5~2.0g/10min, meeting different standards such as food contact grade (FDA certification) and environmental protection grade (recyclable material requirements). Among them, models for food contact detergent bottles (such as hand sanitizer) are equipped with 38CrMoALA material screws and food-grade die heads, with no material residue, meeting the requirements for safe contact with human skin.
- Multi-layer Co-extrusion Configuration: Optional 2~3 layer co-extrusion module, supporting composite structures such as HDPE/EVOH/HDPE and HDPE/PP. The thickness of the EVOH barrier layer can be precisely controlled within 0.1~0.2mm, and the moisture transmission rate is ≤3g/(m²·24h·atm). It can produce high-barrier detergent bottles, suitable for packaging water-sensitive detergents (such as enzyme-added laundry detergent) or easily oxidized cleaning agents.
- Structural Customization: Supports the production of detergent bottles with pump heads, handles, square shapes and special-shaped bodies. Through customized mold interfaces and parison controllers, the pump head interface and bottle body can be integrally formed, avoiding secondary processing and improving sealing performance (no leakage at the interface). For the portable detergent bottle needs of daily chemical brands, it can be adapted to the molding molds of special structures such as curved bodies and anti-slip handles.
2. Molding Precision Control (Core Quality Assurance for Detergent Bottles)
Detergent bottles have high requirements for wall thickness uniformity, surface smoothness and sealing performance. Apollo ensures molding precision through three key technologies:
- High-precision Wall Thickness Control: Standard equipped with MOOG 100-point parison controller (B&R 50-point system optional for high-end models), which can independently adjust the thickness of 100 axial points of the parison. Combined with the patented accumulator die head (volume 15~40L), the wall thickness deviation is controlled within ±2%, solving the problem of uneven wall thickness at stress-concentrated parts such as the bottle neck and pump head interface of the detergent bottle. For 2L square detergent bottles, the wall thickness uniformity of the four sides of the bottle can be further optimized through the die lip fine-tuning mechanism (precision 0.01mm).
- Stable Molding Process: Adopts bottom blow molding technology, where the blow pin is inserted from the bottom of the bottle for inflation, avoiding the deformation of the bottle mouth and pump head interface caused by top inflation. The sealing performance meets the standard (leakage rate <0.1%, in line with national daily chemical packaging certification requirements). Equipped with 4~6 heating zones, the temperature control precision is ±1℃, and the HDPE extrusion temperature is stably maintained at 170~210℃, ensuring uniform plasticization of materials and smooth surface of the bottle without flow marks, flash or bubbles, which is suitable for subsequent printing and labeling.
- Intelligent Quality Monitoring: Optional online thickness gauge (precision 0.001mm), visual inspection system and negative pressure leak detection equipment, which can real-time monitor the wall thickness of the bottle, surface defects (such as scratches, dents, bubbles) and sealing performance. Defective products are automatically sorted out, and the scrap rate is controlled below 0.8%.
3. Automation and Efficiency Optimization
Apollo equipment adopts full-process automated design, adapting to the large-scale production of detergent bottles, with the following core advantages:
- Full-process Unmanned Operation: Integrates full-process functions such as automatic feeding, raw material drying, parison extrusion, blow molding cooling, automatic deflashing, in-mold labeling, online leak detection and finished product sorting, reducing 90% of manual intervention. Among them, the automatic deflashing system adopts precision cutter head + pneumatic cutting, with deflashing precision of ±1mm, adapting to the deflashing needs of detergent bottles of different specifications (additional cost 3~80,000 CNY). The in-mold labeling system can realize one-time molding and labeling, improving production efficiency and labeling firmness.
- Efficient and Energy-saving Design: High-end models can be equipped with servo hydraulic drive system, which saves 30~40% energy compared with traditional hydraulic models, and the unit energy consumption of 1L detergent bottle is only 0.3~0.5kWh/piece. Equipped with PLC-controlled automatic lubrication system, it can automatically inject lubricating oil into key components such as screws, guide rails and clamping mechanisms according to the equipment operation time, reducing wear and improving equipment stability.
- Flexible Production Capacity: The mold replacement adopts a quick mold change mechanism, and the mold change time is less than 1.5 hours, supporting the production of detergent bottles of multiple specifications with the same equipment (such as quick switching from 500mL→1L→2L→5L). Dual-station models (such as ABLB45II, ABLB65II) can realize the switching between “one mold two pieces” or “two molds one piece” modes, adapting to different production capacity needs. The actual production capacity of 1L detergent bottle can reach 800~1000 pieces/hour.
III. Details of Production Capacity Efficiency and Operation and Maintenance Costs
1. Actual Production Efficiency (Adaptation to Detergent Bottles of Different Capacities)
| Model | Detergent Bottle Capacity | Actual Capacity (pieces/hour) | Molding Cycle (seconds/piece) | Extrusion Temperature (℃) | Blowing Pressure (MPa) | Cooling Water Flow Rate (L/min) | Unit Energy Consumption (kWh/piece) |
| ABLB45II | 1L | 800~1000 | 20~25 | 170~190 | 0.5~0.6 | 50~60 | 0.3~0.5 |
| ABLB55II | 2L | 500~600 | 28~35 | 180~200 | 0.6~0.7 | 60~70 | 0.4~0.6 |
| ABLB65II | 5L | 300~400 | 45~60 | 190~210 | 0.7~0.8 | 70~80 | 0.8~1.2 |
| ABLD80 | 10L | 40~50 | 100~120 | 200~220 | 0.8~0.9 | 100~120 | 1.8~2.2 |
2. Operation and Maintenance Costs and Service Life Guarantee
The core components of Apollo equipment adopt international brands (Mitsubishi PLC, Schneider contactors, Siemens motors, MOOG controllers), with low operation and maintenance costs and long service life. The key points are as follows:
- Wear Part List and Replacement Cycle: ① Screw/barrel (material 38CrMoALA): Service life 8~10 years, can be ground and repaired after wear, and the repair cost is about 30% of the new part; ② Die lip seal: Replace every 6~12 months, single set cost 500~1000 CNY; ③ Heating coil: Replace every 1~2 years, single set cost 800~1500 CNY; ④ Blow pin: Replace every 8~12 months, single set cost 1000~2000 CNY.
- Regular Maintenance Plan: ① Daily: Check oil temperature (controlled at 30~50℃), cooling water flow rate and raw material supply; ② Weekly: Clean the die head, check the precision of the wall thickness control system, and fasten the bolts of each component; ③ Monthly: Calibrate the temperature control system, check the hydraulic oil quality (replace as needed, replacement cycle 6~12 months, cost about 5000~8000 CNY); ④ Annual: Fully disassemble and inspect the screw, barrel and clamping mechanism, and perform precision calibration.
- Equipment Service Life and After-sales Service: The normal service life of the equipment is 15~20 years, the annual effective production time exceeds 8000 hours, and the failure rate is less than 1%. Apollo provides 7×24-hour technical services, global spare parts supply (domestic delivery within 48 hours, international delivery within 72 hours) and operator training to ensure the equipment resumes operation quickly.
IV. Typical Industry Application Cases (Deep Adaptation Scenarios)
1. Daily Chemical Industry (1~2L Laundry Detergent Bottles)
Case Subject: A Southeast Asian daily chemical enterprise (producing laundry detergent, fabric softener)
Equipment Configuration: ABLB55II dual-station model (including MOOG wall thickness control, in-mold labeling system), equipped with 1L and 2L HDPE blow molding molds
Core Requirements: Surface smoothness (suitable for full-page printing), leakproofness, annual output of 8 million pieces
Production Data: 1L detergent bottle capacity 900 pieces/hour, 2L capacity 550 pieces/hour, annual operation 8000 hours, actual output 8.4 million pieces; Raw material HDPE (melt flow rate 1.0g/10min), single piece raw material consumption 0.3kg (1L) / 0.6kg (2L); Unit cost 2.8 CNY/piece (1L) / 5.2 CNY/piece (2L); Market price 5 CNY/piece (1L) / 9 CNY/piece (2L), annual profit 16.8 million CNY, investment payback period 3 months.
Adaptation Advantages: Dual-station high capacity meets mass production needs, in-mold labeling improves product appearance, and high-precision control ensures printing adaptability.
2. Daily Chemical Industry (500mL~1L Hand Sanitizer Bottles)
Case Subject: A domestic daily chemical enterprise (producing hand sanitizer, disinfectant)
Equipment Configuration: ABLB45II high-end model (food-grade screw, negative pressure leak detection system, FDA certification), equipped with 500mL and 1L HDPE blow molding molds
Core Requirements: Food contact grade, leakproofness (pump head interface), no peculiar smell, annual output of 5 million pieces
Production Data: 500mL hand sanitizer bottle capacity 1000 pieces/hour, 1L capacity 850 pieces/hour, annual operation 6000 hours, actual output 5.55 million pieces; Raw material food-grade HDPE, single piece raw material consumption 0.15kg (500mL) / 0.3kg (1L); Unit cost 1.5 CNY/piece (500mL) / 2.7 CNY/piece (1L); Market price 3 CNY/piece (500mL) / 5.5 CNY/piece (1L), annual profit 8.25 million CNY, investment payback period 2.5 months.
Adaptation Advantages: Food-grade components meet safety requirements, precise interface molding ensures pump head installation tightness, and negative pressure leak detection eliminates defective products.
3. Industrial Cleaning Industry (5~8L Large-capacity Detergent Bottles)
Case Subject: A domestic industrial cleaning agent manufacturer (producing industrial degreasers, descaling agents)
Equipment Configuration: ABLB75 single-station model (servo hydraulic drive, automatic deflashing), equipped with 5L and 8L HDPE blow molding molds
Core Requirements: High strength (drop test 1.2m without damage), corrosion resistance, annual output of 500,000 pieces
Production Data: 5L detergent bottle capacity 350 pieces/hour, 8L capacity 200 pieces/hour, annual operation 4000 hours, actual output 520,000 pieces; Raw material HDPE (melt flow rate 0.8g/10min), single piece raw material consumption 1.5kg (5L) / 2.2kg (8L); Unit cost 12 CNY/piece (5L) / 18 CNY/piece (8L); Market price 25 CNY/piece (5L) / 38 CNY/piece (8L), annual profit 6.86 million CNY, investment payback period 4 months.
Adaptation Advantages: High clamping force ensures bottle body strength, servo drive saves energy, and automatic deflashing improves production efficiency.
V. Precise Selection Guide (Matching Optimal Solutions According to Needs)
1. Selection by Detergent Bottle Capacity
- 500mL~1L: Preferred ABLB45II dual-station, price 15~250,000 CNY, suitable for small-capacity and mass production (such as hand sanitizer bottles, small laundry detergent bottles).
- 1~3L: Preferred ABLB55II dual-station, price 18~300,000 CNY, adapting to medium-capacity laundry detergent and dish soap bottles, balancing production capacity and precision.
- 3~8L: Preferred ABLB65II/ABLB75, price 22~450,000 CNY, professionally adapting to large-capacity detergent bottles and industrial cleaning agent bottles, with strong molding stability.
- Above 10L: Choose ABLD80, price 60~1 million CNY, adapting to extra-large capacity industrial detergent containers.
2. Selection by Production Scale
- Small batch (<500,000 pieces/year): ABLB45I single-station, investment 15~200,000 CNY, suitable for sample trial production and customized orders.
- Medium batch (500,000~5 million pieces/year): ABLB55II dual-station, investment 18~300,000 CNY, optimal balance of production capacity and cost.
- Large batch (>5 million pieces/year): ABLB65II dual-station, investment 22~400,000 CNY, high production capacity and low unit cost, suitable for large-scale production.
3. Selection by Industry Needs
- Daily chemical (printing demand): Standard MOOG wall thickness control + in-mold labeling system, ensuring surface smoothness and printing adaptability.
- Daily chemical (food contact grade): Food-grade screw + FDA certification, ensuring no material residue and safe contact with human body.
- Industrial cleaning (high strength demand): ABLB75/ABLD80, with strong clamping force and stable molding, meeting drop test requirements.
- High barrier requirements: 2~3 layer co-extrusion module + EVOH barrier layer, adapting to water-sensitive and easily oxidized detergents.
Summary and Investment Suggestions
With full capacity coverage, high-precision control, low operation and maintenance costs, and strong daily chemical industry adaptability, Apollo extrusion blow molding machines have become benchmark equipment for detergent bottle production, especially having significant advantages in the 1~5L medium-capacity detergent bottle field. Its core competitiveness is reflected in: ① Modular design can accurately match the needs of detergent bottles of different capacities, materials and structures; ② International brand core components ensure equipment stability, with annual operation time exceeding 8000 hours; ③ Short investment payback period (2.5~4 months) and prominent long-term operation cost performance.
Core Investment Suggestions:
- Small capacity (500mL~1L), mass production: Priority to ABLB45II dual-station, investment 15~250,000 CNY, optimal balance of production capacity and price.
- Medium capacity (1~3L), multi-specification needs: Choose ABLB55II dual-station, investment 18~300,000 CNY, adapting to diversified production of laundry detergent and dish soap bottles.
- Large capacity (3~8L), industrial-grade needs: Choose ABLB75, investment 28~450,000 CNY, professionally ensuring molding quality and stability of large-capacity detergent bottles.
