Drinking Straw Extrusion Line for PP and PLA

EXTRUTEX EX65J is a professional drinking straw extrusion line developed for manufacturers requiring stable and continuous production of standard PP and PLA drinking straws. The complete system combines a 65 mm extrusion unit with a cooling tank, haul-off system, cutting device, collection system and electrical control system.

The machine is designed around the requirements of small-diameter plastic tube extrusion. During production, the polymer is plasticized in the extruder and continuously formed through the extrusion tooling. The newly formed straw then enters the cooling and sizing section, where its dimensions are stabilized before being transported to the cutting unit. The finished straws are cut to the required length and transferred to the collection system.

Depending on straw diameter, wall thickness, length, polymer characteristics and production settings, the EX65J can reach production speeds from 400 to 1800 pieces per minute. The extrusion throughput is approximately 60–65 kg/h, while the actual piece output depends on the weight and dimensions of the finished straw.

EX65J Production Process

The EX65J follows a straightforward continuous extrusion process. Each stage is coordinated to maintain stable dimensions and reliable cutting performance.

Complete Equipment Configuration

EXTRUTEX configures the EX65J as an integrated production line rather than as an isolated extruder. This approach allows the extrusion, cooling, traction and cutting stages to work together as a continuous production process.

EX65J Technical Specifications

The following specifications describe the standard EX65J configuration. Final machine configuration can be adapted according to straw diameter, material, production speed, voltage and other customer requirements.

65 mm Extrusion System

At the heart of the EX65J is a 65 mm extrusion system with a 33:1 screw length-to- diameter ratio. This configuration provides sufficient residence time and plasticizing capacity for continuous production of small-diameter drinking straws.

The 30 kW main motor uses frequency-controlled operation. This allows the operator to adjust extrusion speed according to polymer characteristics and finished straw requirements. For production environments where different straw sizes are manufactured on the same machine, variable-speed operation provides useful flexibility.

The extrusion process must maintain stable melt temperature and pressure. This is particularly important for PLA, where processing conditions need to be controlled carefully to achieve consistent plasticization and avoid unnecessary thermal degradation.

PLA Straw Production

PLA is increasingly used for drinking straw production where manufacturers require alternatives to conventional petroleum-based plastics. The EX65J can be configured for PLA extrusion with process conditions adapted to the characteristics of the selected PLA grade.

PLA generally requires more controlled material handling than conventional PP. Moisture management is particularly important because excessive moisture can negatively affect melt processing and finished product quality. Depending on the PLA material supplied by the customer, a suitable drying system can be integrated before extrusion.

The cooling section is also important for PLA straw production. After the tube exits the forming die, controlled cooling helps stabilize the diameter and shape before the material reaches the haul-off and cutting stages.

PP Drinking Straw Production

Polypropylene remains a widely used material for standard drinking straws because of its processing characteristics, lightweight structure and suitability for high- speed extrusion. The EX65J provides frequency-controlled extrusion and continuous downstream processing for PP straw production.

Production conditions can be adjusted according to the selected PP grade, straw diameter, wall thickness and required finished length. The combination of extrusion, cooling, traction and cutting enables manufacturers to operate the complete line as one continuous production system.

Cooling and Sizing Section

Cooling is a critical stage in small-diameter straw extrusion. Immediately after the polymer leaves the extrusion tooling, the material is still hot and relatively flexible. The cooling tank removes heat and allows the extruded tube to stabilize before traction and cutting.

The standard EX65J cooling tank is approximately 3.5 metres long. The tank length can be customized depending on the production material, straw diameter, extrusion speed and available factory space.

A vacuum sizing system is not included in the standard configuration shown here. Where the production process requires additional sizing control, EXTRUTEX can evaluate and configure the appropriate vacuum sizing solution.

High-Speed Hauling and Cutting

After cooling, the straw is continuously transported by the traction system toward the cutting section. The synchronization between hauling and cutting is essential when producing large quantities of short finished straws.

The EX65J can achieve production speeds from 400 to 1800 pieces per minute, depending on the product specification. Shorter and smaller straws can generally achieve higher piece counts, while larger diameters, thicker walls or longer products change the production rate.

The specified length difference is approximately 0.1–1 mm, with the final result depending on material behavior, machine adjustment, cutting conditions and product specifications.

Suitable Applications

• Standard PP drinking straws
• PLA drinking straws
• Straight-cut drinking straws
• Bevel-cut drinking straws
• Single-color straws
• Small-diameter plastic drinking tubes
• High-speed continuous straw production
• Commercial beverage and food-service straw manufacturing

How to Select the Right Straw Extrusion Line

Before ordering a drinking straw extrusion line, manufacturers should define the final product specification rather than selecting the machine only by motor power or nominal output. EXTRUTEX engineers can evaluate the complete process based on the required product dimensions and material.

• Material: PP, PLA or another compatible polymer.
• Straw diameter: The required outside diameter determines tooling and cooling requirements.
• Straw length: Length affects cutting frequency and finished-piece output.
• Wall thickness: Wall thickness influences material throughput and cooling conditions.
• Number of colors: The EX65J is configured for standard single-color production.
• Target output: Required kg/h and pcs/min should be specified together.
• Local voltage: Electrical configuration should be confirmed before manufacturing.

EX65J vs. EX-65QS Full Servo Straw Extruder

EXTRUTEX offers different straw extrusion configurations according to the required level of process control. The EX65J is a practical solution for standard PP and PLA drinking straw production with frequency-controlled operation.

Energy-Efficient PLA Extrusion Concept

The EXTRUTEX PLA straw production concept focuses on stable plasticization, controlled processing temperature and efficient continuous operation. Proper temperature management helps maintain consistent melt quality while avoiding unnecessary heating and cooling losses.

The production line developed around PLA material characteristics is intended to provide accurate temperature control and efficient material plasticization. By coordinating the extrusion and downstream sections, manufacturers can maintain a stable production process while optimizing operating conditions for the selected PLA grade.

Key Advantages of the EX65J

Factory Installation and Production Considerations

Before installation, the customer should confirm factory space, electrical supply, compressed air requirements where applicable, cooling-water conditions and material handling arrangements. The complete line layout should provide sufficient space for operation, maintenance and finished-product collection.

Material preparation is particularly important when processing PLA. If the selected PLA grade requires drying, a suitable dryer and material-loading system should be included in the production configuration.

EXTRUTEX can configure the extrusion line according to local electrical standards, production requirements and the customer's preferred downstream arrangement.

EX65J Drinking Straw Extrusion Line Summary

Conclusion

The EXTRUTEX EX65J drinking straw extrusion line is a practical solution for continuous production of PP and PLA drinking straws. With a 65 mm, 33:1 extrusion system, 30 kW frequency-controlled main motor, integrated cooling, hauling and cutting, the line provides a complete production platform for standard straw manufacturing.

Its production range of approximately 400–1800 pieces per minute and extrusion throughput of 60–65 kg/h provide flexibility for different straw specifications. The 3.5 m cooling tank can also be customized according to material, product size and factory layout.

For standard PP and PLA production, the EX65J provides a cost-effective and straightforward configuration. For manufacturers requiring full servo control, enhanced synchronization or broader biodegradable-material compatibility, EXTRUTEX can provide the EX-65QS full servo straw extrusion solution.

With Austrian design and manufacturing in Nanjing and Shanghai, China, EXTRUTEX provides complete extrusion solutions for plastic and polymer processing applications, from individual machines to customized production lines.