What Machines Are Needed to Make Plastic Bottles for Mineral and Pure Water?
If you are wondering to start a bottle mineral water factory, here are some questions you should definitely consider: what machines are required to produce bottles and set up a full bottle water production line? How much does a bottle of water cost? Understanding how water bottles are manufactured is essential for anyone planning to enter the mineral or pure water business. This guide explains every machine you’ll need—from preform making and bottle blowing to filling and capping—so you can plan your factory investment wisely.
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1. Types of Plastic Bottles for Mineral and Pure Water
The most common option is the PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) bottle, which dominates the bottled water market due to its lightweight design, durability, clarity, and recyclability. PET bottles are BPA-free and considered safe for direct contact with food and beverages, making them ideal for both pure water and mineral water bottling factories.
Other plastics like PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) and HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) have been used in the past, but they are less popular for drinking water. PVC poses environmental challenges, while HDPE is more often used for milk or household products rather than drinking water bottles.
In terms of bottle sizes, the market usually demands multiple formats: 200–500ml bottles for retail, 1.5L family-size bottles, 5L bottles for household use, and 5-gallon bottles for offices or water dispensers. Choosing the right bottle type and size is crucial since it directly affects which PET bottle making machine, bottle blowing machine, and filling line you’ll need in your bottle water production line.
2. Machines Needed to Make Plastic Bottles
PET Preform Making Machine
Converts PET resin into preforms (test-tube shaped).
Preform quality determines final bottle strength & clarity.
PET Bottle Blowing Machine
Heats preforms and stretches them into bottles inside a mold.
Types:
Semi-automatic (low cost, smaller capacity).
Fully automatic (high-speed, large factories).
Bottle Cap Making Machine
Injection molding machine to produce caps.
Ensures proper sealing and compatibility with neck finish.
3. Supporting Equipment for Bottle Blowing
Water Chiller for Bottle Blowing
Controls mold temperature during blowing.
Prevents bottle defects (cracks, uneven shapes).
Compressor for Bottle Blowing
Provides high-pressure air to blow PET preforms into bottle molds.
Divided into low-pressure and high-pressure compressors depending on machine size.
4. Workflow: How Plastic Bottles Are Manufactured
PET resin → Preforms made using preform injection molding machine.
Preforms heated & stretched in bottle blowing machine.
Caps produced separately via cap making machine.
Bottles cleaned, filled with mineral/pure water, and capped.
Bottles labeled, packed, and shipped.
5. How to Choose the Right Machines
Production capacity (bottles/hour).
Bottle sizes (small retail vs 5L or 5-gallon).
Automation level (semi-auto vs fully automatic).
Energy consumption (important for ROI).
Budget and after-sales service.
Machines Required for Plastic Bottle Production
| Machine | Function | Key Features | Typical Capacity | Price Range (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PET Preform Making Machine | Turns PET resin into preforms | Injection molding, precise neck finish | 5,000–50,000 pcs/day | $20,000 – $60,000 |
| PET Bottle Blowing Machine | Expands preforms into bottles | Semi-auto & fully-auto models, mold flexibility | 2,000–24,000 bottles/hour | $15,000 – $80,000 |
| Bottle Cap Making Machine | Produces caps for sealing | Injection molding, various cap designs | 10,000–100,000 caps/day | $10,000 – $30,000 |
| Water Chiller | Maintains mold temperature | Prevents deformation, ensures clarity | Supports 1–10 blowing machines | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Air Compressor | Supplies high-pressure air | Low & high-pressure systems | 1–6 blowing lines | $8,000 – $25,000 |
| Mineral Water Bottling Machine | Rinses, fills & caps bottles | Often integrated 3-in-1 or CombiBlock | 2,000–30,000 bottles/hour | $30,000 – $150,000 |
6. Cost of Setting Up Plastic Bottle Production
PET Preform Machine: $20k – $60k
PET Bottle Blowing Machine: $15k – $80k
Cap Making Machine: $10k – $30k
Water Chiller: $5k – $15k
Compressor: $8k – $25k
Bottling Machine: $30k – $150k
Complete Line Investment: $100k – $300k+
Production Capacity vs Investment
| Production Scale | Bottle Sizes | Suggested Machines | Estimated Investment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Factory / Startup | 500ml – 1.5L | Semi-auto PET blowing machine, small bottling line | $100k – $150k |
| Medium Factory | 500ml – 2L | Fully-auto blowing machine, medium bottling line, separate cap machine | $150k – $250k |
| Large Factory | 500ml – 5L | Fully-auto high-speed blowing, Blow-Fill-Cap CombiBlock, full automation | $250k – $400k |
| Industrial Scale | 5 Gallon (19L) & 5L family packs | Special 5-gallon blowing machine, high-capacity bottling line | $300k+ |
7. Recommended Solution – Integrated CombiBlock Line
For efficiency, many factories now choose a Blowing-Filling-Capping 3-in-1 CombiBlock Machine.
Advantages:
Space-saving, integrates multiple steps.
Lower contamination risk (closed system).
Faster production and reduced labor costs.
For example, Faygo Union’s CombiBlock system provides a compact, energy-efficient solution for 5L bottles, standard PET bottles, and even 5-gallon bottles, making it a smart investment for water factories worldwide.
Conclusion
To produce bottles for mineral and pure water, you’ll need a combination of PET preform machines, bottle blowing machines, cap-making machines, water chillers, compressors, and bottling equipment. Depending on your production goals, you can either purchase machines separately or choose a fully integrated CombiBlock production line for maximum efficiency.
Starting a bottle water production line is not just about filling bottles—it begins with understanding how water bottles are manufactured from raw material to finished product. With the right equipment, you can build a profitable mineral water factory that meets growing market demand.
