DRTS ENGINEERING
Pipe Extrusion Machinery and Production Lines
Complete turnkey extrusion lines and standalone machinery for PE, PPR, and PVC pipe production — engineered for long-term stability and output consistency.
Pipe Extrusion Machinery and Production Lines
DRTS designs and manufactures pipe extrusion machinery and complete turnkey extrusion lines for PE, PPR, and PVC pipe production. With over 35 years of engineering experience, we supply plastic extrusion machinery to pipe manufacturers in more than 30 countries, from independently owned production facilities to large-scale global operations. Every machine we build is assembled from top-tier European components — including Zambello gearboxes, Reiloy bimetallic screws and barrels, and ABB/Omron/Siemens PLCs — and engineered for long-term production stability, output consistency, and low maintenance overhead.
Whether you are setting up a new facility and need a complete extrusion line from extruder to coiler, or you are expanding an existing operation with standalone machinery, DRTS builds to your specification. Our pipe extrusion machines handle pipe diameters from 16mm up to 630mm. All production lines can be supplied as full turnkey solutions or as individual standalone units that integrate with your current setup.
What Is Pipe Extrusion?
Pipe extrusion is the manufacturing process used to produce continuous lengths of plastic pipe from raw polymer material. The process begins in the extruder, where plastic granules are melted and pressurised before being forced through a die head that shapes the molten material into a pipe profile. From there, the pipe enters a vacuum and cooling tank to set its dimensional accuracy before being hauled off at a controlled speed, cut to length, and coiled or stacked for dispatch.
The precision of each machine in the line directly affects wall thickness consistency, tolerance accuracy, and surface finish quality. For manufacturers of PE water pipes, PPR hot water systems, or PVC drainage and pressure pipe, the performance of the extrusion line determines both output rate and product compliance. DRTS engineering focuses on delivering that precision at every stage of the line.
Turnkey Pipe Extrusion Production Lines
A turnkey extrusion line from DRTS covers the full production process in one integrated solution. We engineer, supply, install, and commission every component, and our technical team provides on-site training to ensure your operators are productive from day one. Our turnkey plastic pipe production lines are available in three primary configurations:
PE Pipe Extrusion Lines
producing polyethylene pipe from 16mm to 630mm diameter, used in water supply, gas distribution, and agricultural irrigation.
16mm – 630mm diameter range
PPR Pipe Extrusion Lines
producing polypropylene random copolymer pipe from 16mm to 160mm, suited to hot and cold potable water systems and heating installations.
16mm – 160mm diameter range
PVC Pipe Extrusion Lines
producing rigid PVC pipe from 16mm to 630mm for pressure pipe, drainage, conduit, and infrastructure applications.
16mm – 630mm diameter range
Each turnkey line is configurable to your production capacity requirements and the pipe specifications you need to meet. DRTS works directly with manufacturers to match extruder output, die head design, cooling length, haul-off speed, and coiler type to the specific pipe range you are producing.
Standalone Pipe Extrusion Machinery
Every machine in a DRTS production line is also available as a standalone unit. This allows pipe manufacturers to upgrade specific stages of an existing extrusion line without replacing the full setup. Our standalone plastics extrusion machinery includes:
Pipe Extruders
Single screw and twin screw extruder machines, built for consistent melt quality and high output rates across PE, PPR, and PVC processing.
Extrusion Die Heads
Precision-engineered pipe die heads including our 3-layer crosshead design, delivering controlled wall distribution and co-extrusion capability for multilayer pipe.
Vacuum and Cooling Tanks
Manufactured from 304-grade stainless steel, our cooling tanks maintain dimensional accuracy through precise vacuum calibration and water temperature control.
Haul-Off Units (Pullers)
Servo-driven pipe pullers that regulate line speed with the accuracy required for tight wall thickness tolerances.
Pipe Cutting Machines
Designed for clean, burr-free cutting of PE, PPR, and PVC pipe across the full 16mm to 630mm diameter range.
Pipe Coilers
Fully automatic and semi-automatic coiling machines for PE pipe up to 110mm, with automatic reel switching to keep production continuous.
Coil Wrapping Machines
Shrink-wrapping systems that protect finished coils ready for storage and transport.
Extrusion Screen Changers
Automatic and manual screen changers that remove contaminants from the melt stream without stopping production.
Tipping Tables
Custom-built tipping tables for pipe and profile manufacturing, available to match any line configuration.
KEY COMPONENT
Extrusion Die Heads and 3-Layer Crosshead Technology
The die head is one of the most critical components in any pipe extrusion line. It controls how the molten polymer is distributed around the pipe circumference, directly affecting wall uniformity, concentricity, and surface quality. DRTS extrusion die heads are precision machined and available in single-layer and 3-layer crosshead configurations.
The DRTS 3-layer ABA/ABC crosshead allows manufacturers to produce multilayer pipe where the outer and inner layers are made from virgin raw material and the core is made from up to 80% recycled or off-spec polymer. This reduces raw material costs substantially without compromising pipe performance or standards compliance — the pipe looks and performs equivalently to 100% virgin material pipe. DRTS has retrofitted the 3-layer crosshead onto many existing customer lines worldwide and provides full support through installation and commissioning.
All DRTS die heads are designed to be interchangeable across compatible extruder platforms, giving manufacturers flexibility to adapt their production capability without replacing the base extruder machine.
Single-layer
3-layer crosshead
Co-extrusion
Interchangeable
Who Uses DRTS Pipe Extrusion Equipment?
Every machine in a DRTS production line is also available as a standalone unit. This allows pipe manufacturers to upgrade specific stages of an existing extrusion line without replacing the full setup. Our standalone plastics extrusion machinery includes:
- PE pipe manufacturers supplying water utilities, gas networks, and agricultural irrigation infrastructure
- PPR pipe producers serving plumbing and heating system installers
- PVC pipe manufacturers producing drainage, pressure, and electrical conduit pipe
- Plastic pipe manufacturers entering new markets who need a complete, commissioning-ready extrusion line
- Established manufacturers looking to increase output capacity, add 3-layer co-extrusion capability, or upgrade specific machinery within their existing line
Why Work With DRTS?
Choosing the right manufacturer for your extrusion equipment is a long-term decision. Pipe extrusion lines represent a significant capital investment and the performance of your machinery directly determines your production costs, output quality, and ability to meet customer specifications. DRTS has been delivering plastic extrusion machinery for more than three decades, with installations across the USA, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.
We build to order rather than from stock, which means every machine is configured to your application. Our engineers work with you from initial specification through to commissioning, and our parts and support team remains available throughout the operational life of your equipment. Spare parts are held in stock and can be shipped internationally within short lead times, keeping your production line running.
DRTS machines are built to Industry 4.0 smart manufacturing standards as standard. This includes remote monitoring, remote maintenance via secure connection, and compatibility with SCADA, OPC UA, ERP, and MES systems. Connected extruders give your team real-time production data, historical performance logs, and direct access to DRTS technical support without requiring an on-site visit — reducing downtime and keeping your line productive.
Built to your specification. Supported for life.
35+ years of engineering
Three decades of installations across the USA, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.
Built to order
We build to your specification, not from stock. Every machine is configured to your application and production targets.
European components
Every machine assembled from top-tier European components, engineered for long-term production stability.
On-site commissioning
Our engineers work with you from initial specification through to commissioning and on-site operator training.
Spare parts availability
Parts held in stock and shipped internationally within short lead times, keeping your production line running.
Lifetime support
Our parts and support team remains available throughout the full operational life of your equipment.
Pipe Extrusion Machinery
What pipe diameters can DRTS production lines handle?
DRTS pipe extrusion lines cover diameters from 16mm up to 630mm for PE and PVC pipe, and from 16mm to 160mm for PPR pipe. The 3-layer crosshead die head is available from 12mm and up. Contact DRTS to confirm the right extruder and die head configuration for your specific diameter range.
Can I buy individual machines rather than a full line?
Yes. Every machine in a DRTS production line is available as a standalone unit — including extruders, die heads, vacuum and cooling tanks, haul-off units, cutters, coilers, and screen changers. Standalone units are designed to integrate with existing production lines and can be supplied with the electrical and control specifications needed to connect with your current SCADA or supervisory systems.
Does DRTS offer installation and operator training?
Yes. DRTS engineers provide on-site installation, commissioning, and operator training as part of every turnkey line delivery. For standalone machine installations, support is available depending on the scope of the project. Remote support is also available via the DRTS Industry 4.0 connectivity system.
What materials can DRTS extruders process?
DRTS extruders are built for PE, PPR, and PVC pipe production as primary applications. The extruder screw design is selected based on your specific material combination to ensure homogeneous mixing, consistent plastification, and production efficiency. DRTS engineers advise on screw specification as part of the machine configuration process.
What is the DRTS 3-layer crosshead and what does it cost to add?
The DRTS 3-layer ABA/ABC crosshead (diehead) allows pipe manufacturers to produce multilayer pipe with a recycled or off-spec polymer core and virgin material inner and outer layers. Up to 80% of the pipe wall can be produced from recycled material, reducing raw material costs significantly. The crosshead can be retrofitted onto many existing extruder lines. Contact DRTS for a specification and quotation matched to your current extruder platform and pipe diameter range.
What support is available after purchase?
Request a Pipe Extrusion Line Specification
Contact the DRTS team to discuss your pipe extrusion requirements. Whether you need a full turnkey plastic pipe production line or a single replacement extruder machine, we will put together a specification and quotation matched to your production targets, diameter range, and material requirements.
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