Introduction: Why a Clear Price List Matters Before You Buy a Fully Automatic Bottle Blowing Machine

Buying a fully automatic bottle blowing machine is not like buying a small piece of equipment. You are making a long-term capital investment that will shape your cost per bottle, delivery reliability, and profit margin for many years.

A simple “machine price only” number is not enough. To make a confident decision, you need to see the full picture behind that price tag.

Why “machine price only” is not enough for smart buyers

When people ask “How much is a fully automatic bottle blowing machine?”, they often hear a very wide range. But that headline number usually hides critical items such as mold cost, auxiliaries, energy consumption, shipping, and on-site installation.

If you only compare bare machine prices, you may end up choosing a system that looks cheap on paper but is expensive per bottle in real production.

How this guide helps you short-list realistic options in minutes

This guide gives you a structured way to understand:

• Typical price bands for different machine types and capacities
• What is usually included and excluded in each price level
• How machine price connects to throughput, energy, and cost per bottle
• Where extrusion blow molding and stretch blow molding machines fit into your project

After reading, you should be able to quickly filter out unrealistic quotes and build a serious short list in minutes.

Quick note on currency, regions, and how often prices change

All price ranges in this guide are expressed in US dollars. They are indicative, not fixed. Steel prices, electronics, freight rates, and exchange rates can move, so you should always confirm the latest numbers in a formal quotation.

For Asian suppliers you will often see EXW or FOB offers. For European or local suppliers you may see higher base prices but different support packages. Always look at the total project cost, not only the starting machine number.

Who This Price Guide Is For (And How It Was Built)

OEM bottle makers and contract packaging factories

If you already run PET or HDPE lines and supply bottles to food, beverage, home-care, or chemical brands, you care about cost per bottle, uptime, energy usage, and mold change time. You usually buy multiple lines every few years and need machines that can run 24/7 with stable performance.

Brand owners planning to bring bottle production in-house

Maybe you are a growing beverage, personal-care, or sauce brand. Right now you buy bottles from an outside factory. At some point, your volume and margin pressure push you to consider in-house production. You start asking questions like: can I control my supply chain better, how fast can I get payback, and how flexible will the machine be for future SKUs?

Engineers and procurement teams comparing quotes from Asia and Europe

If you handle RFQs and technical comparisons, you need more than simple marketing language. You need a way to normalize very different offers, a checklist of must-have items in each quote, and simple arguments you can use with non-technical managers.

How we built this price list from real AERO series and project data

The price bands in this article are based on real project configurations for extrusion blow molding (AERO and FORMA series) and stretch blow molding lines for PET bottles, plus common market ranges from publicly available information. That means you are not only seeing theory, but realistic numbers for typical 2025 projects.

What Is a Fully Automatic Bottle Blowing Machine?

Simple explanation: from resin or preform to finished bottle

A fully automatic bottle blowing machine takes you from raw material to finished bottle with minimal human touch.

• Extrusion blow molding (EBM): you feed HDPE or PP pellets. The extruder melts and pushes out a tube of plastic (parison). The mold closes around the parison, air blows inside, and the bottle takes shape. After cooling, the bottle is ejected and trimmed.
• Stretch blow molding (SBM) for PET: you feed PET preforms (test-tube shaped). The preforms are heated, stretched, and blown inside a mold to become the final bottle.

“Fully automatic” means that preforms or parisons move through each station automatically and finished bottles exit the machine ready for inspection or transfer to the filling line.

Fully automatic vs semi-automatic vs manual machines

There are three broad levels of automation:

• Manual: operators handle many steps by hand. Suitable only for very small, low-volume workshops.
• Semi-automatic: some steps are automatic, but operators still load preforms or move bottles between stages. Good for start-ups or niche products.
• Fully automatic: preform loading, heating, blowing, take-out, and sometimes leak testing are all integrated. This is the standard for serious OEM plants and 24/7 production.

Where extrusion blow molding vs stretch blow molding fits in

In simple terms:

• Extrusion blow molding (EBM) is best for HDPE and PP containers, opaque bottles, jerrycans, and multi-layer barrier structures. It is often used for detergents, chemicals, motor oil, agrochemicals, and some food applications.
• Stretch blow molding (SBM) is best for transparent PET bottles. It is common for mineral water, carbonated drinks, juices, edible oil, and many personal-care bottles. It gives high clarity, strength, and lightweight designs.

Typical bottle types: water, edible oil, detergent, chemical, pharma

Across EBM and SBM, fully automatic lines can produce PET water bottles, PET edible oil bottles, HDPE detergent bottles, HDPE and PP jerrycans, and small pharma and cosmetics bottles from about 50 ml up to 30 L, depending on the machine.

Here is a short video of a fully automatic PET bottle blowing machine in production:

Even a short clip can help you understand machine layout, guarding, and motion better than a long spec sheet.

Key Machine Types Included in This Price List

Fully automatic PET stretch blow molding machines (water and beverage bottles)

These are two-stage PET stretch blow molding machines that take in PET preforms, heat them in infrared ovens, and stretch-blow them in 2–12 cavities depending on bottle size and target speed. They are the workhorses for water, CSD, and many edible oil bottles.

Fully automatic extrusion blow molding machines for HDPE / PP bottles

These machines handle HDPE or PP pellets and produce single-layer or multi-layer parisons. They cover bottle sizes from small pharma and personal-care bottles up to 30 L jerrycans in AERO-type ranges. They are widely used for household chemicals, shampoos, body wash, lube oil, and industrial packaging.

Single-layer vs multi-layer, single-station vs double-station

Configuration has a big impact on price and capability:

• Single-layer: one plastic layer; simplest and lowest cost.
• Multi-layer: adds barrier or recycled layers; higher flexibility and performance, higher price.
• Single-station: one set of molds working per cycle.
• Double-station: molds on both sides of the clamp, which boosts output per hour.

Where LekaMachine’s FORMA, AERO and PET lines fit on the map

In the LekaMachine portfolio, you can think of the mapping like this:

• FORMA series – versatile extrusion blow molding for a wide range of small to medium containers, ideal for factories that need flexible SKUs.
• AERO series – mass-production extrusion blow molding for bottles and jerrycans up to 30 L, optimized for higher output with cost-effective configurations.
• PET stretch blow lines – two-stage machines for PET water and beverage bottles, configurable from low to high cavity counts.

Quick Snapshot: Typical Price Range for Fully Automatic Bottle Blowing Machines

Entry-level fully automatic lines for small factories

Entry-level fully automatic systems are usually 1–2 cavity PET stretch blow machines for small bottles, or small HDPE extrusion blow machines up to about 1–2 L. A typical indicative range is around USD 25,000–80,000 for basic fully automatic machines with limited capacity and simpler controls.

Mid-range mass-production lines for 24/7 bottle plants

Mid-range systems cover 4–6 cavity PET SBM machines for water and beverages, and double-station EBM machines for 1–5 L HDPE/PP bottles. Price bands here are often in the USD 80,000–250,000 range, depending on speed, automation, and component brands.

High-output multi-cavity and multi-layer systems for big OEMs

At the top end you find 8–12 cavity rotary PET stretch blow machines and multi-layer, multi-head extrusion blow lines with advanced parison control. These can easily land in the USD 250,000–600,000+ range for new equipment, depending on complexity and integration level.

Where AERO Series machines sit on the curve (USD 135,000–160,000 typical range)

The AERO series is designed as a high-output but budget-friendly option for mass-production HDPE and PP bottles and jerrycans up to 30 L. For common configurations, a typical fully automatic AERO-type line usually falls around USD 135,000–160,000, depending on die heads, stations, and options such as parison control and servo systems.

Fully Automatic Bottle Blowing Machine Price List by Capacity

Small bottle volumes (0.1–1 L) – cosmetics, pharma, small F&B bottles

For small volumes (0.1–1 L):

• PET: 2–4 cavity stretch blow machines for small water, juice, and cosmetic bottles.
• HDPE/PP: 1–4 cavity EBM for pharma, personal care, and small F&B containers.

Indicative fully automatic price bands are roughly USD 40,000–120,000 depending on cavity count, oven or extrusion size, and selected options.

Medium bottles (1–5 L) – household chemicals, sauces, edible oil

For 1–5 L bottles:

• PET: 4–6 cavity stretch blow machines focused on water and edible oil.
• HDPE/PP: double-station EBM machines for detergents, oils, and cleaning products.

Indicative fully automatic price bands are often in the USD 80,000–220,000 range.

Large containers (10–30 L) – jerrycans, industrial and agrochemical packaging

For larger containers:

• Heavy-duty extrusion blow lines with higher clamp force.
• 1–4 heads, often double-station, sometimes multi-layer for barrier requirements.

Indicative price bands are roughly USD 120,000–300,000+ depending on layers, head configuration, and level of automation.

Typical price bands for each capacity group and what’s usually included

Across all capacities, a typical “machine price” quote usually includes the fully assembled machine, standard PLC and HMI, basic safety guarding, and factory acceptance test at the supplier’s site.

It often does not include extra molds, air compressors, chillers, conveyors, leak testers, shipping, duties, or on-site installation. These items should be added on top of the bare machine cost for a complete project budget.

Price Breakdown by Machine Type and Configuration

PET bottle blowing machine price list (fully automatic stretch blow)

Indicative PET stretch blow molding price structure for fully automatic machines:

• 2–3 cavity: around USD 40,000–90,000
• 4–6 cavity: around USD 90,000–200,000
• 8–12 cavity: often USD 200,000–400,000+ for high-speed rotary systems

HDPE / PP extrusion blow molding machine price list (AERO and similar lines)

Indicative extrusion blow molding price structure:

• Small, single-station up to 1–2 L: roughly USD 30,000–80,000
• Medium, double-station 1–5 L: roughly USD 80,000–180,000
• Larger 10–30 L lines: roughly USD 120,000–250,000+

AERO-type machines with higher output and more industrial features typically sit around the USD 135,000–160,000 band for common bottle and jerrycan projects.

Single-cavity vs multi-cavity and what each extra cavity really costs

Each extra cavity or head adds more steel, machining, heating, cooling, and control complexity. As a simple rule of thumb, moving from 2 to 4 cavities can easily add 15–30% to the machine price, and moving from 4 to 6 or 8 cavities may add another 10–25% depending on how much the frame and clamp must be reinforced.

Options that move the price: parison control, robots, leak testers, vision systems

Beyond the base machine, several options can move your quote by tens of thousands of dollars:

• Parison control systems to hold stable wall thickness on HDPE bottles
• Robotic take-out and deflashing to reduce labor and improve consistency
• Inline leak testers to guarantee each bottle or jerrycan is sealed
• Vision inspection cameras to check neck, flash, and surface defects
• Energy-saving packages such as high-efficiency heaters and air-recovery systems

These options often add 10–40% on top of the base machine price but can reduce long-term scrap and energy significantly.

What Really Drives the Price of a Fully Automatic Bottle Blowing Machine

Production speed (bottles per hour) and clamp size

Higher speed and larger clamp sizes require stronger frames, bigger extruders or more powerful ovens, and more advanced cooling and control systems. As a result, quotes rise quickly when you request very high bottles-per-hour figures or very large bottle sizes.

Number of layers, die heads, and stations

Multi-layer extrusion heads are complex components. Each extra layer adds internal channels, heaters, and controls. Multi-head setups multiply the complexity. Double-station machines, with molds on both sides, also need more mechanics and controls, so price steps up again.

Brand of PLC, hydraulics/servo system, and electrical components

Component selection matters. Well-known PLC brands, servo-hydraulic systems, and global electrical component brands cost more upfront but are easier to support worldwide. Many suppliers offer several component packages so you can balance budget and spare parts availability.

Energy efficiency targets (kWh/kg) and how they change the quote

Improving kWh/kg performance usually requires better screw design, high-efficiency motors, and optimized heating and cooling. These features cost more on day one but can reduce your energy bill by a large percentage over the life of the machine.

Local safety, CE, UL and food-contact compliance requirements

If your market demands CE, UL, FDA, or other specific certifications, the machine must use approved components, follow stricter safety and wiring standards, and come with more detailed documentation. This adds engineering time and component cost, which shows up in the quote.

Hidden Costs Buyers Often Forget to Add to the Price List

Bottle molds and any future mold sets for new SKUs

Molds are a crucial part of your real price list. Simple 1–2 L bottle molds are cheaper; multi-cavity, complex shapes and large jerrycan molds cost much more. If you plan several SKUs over the next few years, you should budget all of those mold sets now, not later.

Air compressors, chillers, conveyors, leak testers and other auxiliaries

A fully automatic blowing machine cannot run without utilities and downstream equipment. High-pressure air compressors, low-pressure air, water chillers, material loaders, conveyors, leak testers, and pack-off stations can easily add 20–50% on top of the bare machine cost for a complete line.

Shipping, tax, customs clearance, and installation on site

Logistics and local costs also matter. Sea freight, import duties, VAT, local handling, inland trucking, and on-site installation and commissioning crew must all be included in your final project budget, not just the FOB price at the supplier’s port.

Operator training, spare parts kits, and yearly maintenance costs

Smart buyers also account for operator training, maintenance training, start-up spare parts kits (belts, sensors, wear parts), and planned maintenance visits in the first years. These items strongly affect uptime and real cost per bottle.

From Machine Price to Cost Per Bottle: Understanding Total Cost of Ownership

How to convert machine price into cost per bottle over 5–10 years

A simple way to think about total cost of ownership is to estimate total bottles produced over the machine’s life and divide total capex (machine, molds, installation) by that bottle count.

Example:

• Machine price: USD 150,000
• Lifetime: 7 years
• Output: 4,000 bottles/hour
• Running: 16 hours/day, 300 days/year

Total bottles = 4,000 × 16 × 300 × 7 = 134,400,000 bottles.

Capex per bottle = 150,000 ÷ 134,400,000 ≈ USD 0.0011 per bottle.

This is before energy, labor, resin, and maintenance, but it shows why a machine that looks expensive can still be very cheap per bottle.

The impact of scrap rate, downtime, and energy consumption

Two machines with the same purchase price can have very different costs per bottle if one has a low scrap rate and high uptime while the other has higher scrap and frequent breakdowns. Energy consumption differences can also quietly add a lot of cost over years of production.

Why a USD 135,000–160,000 AERO-level machine can beat cheaper options

An AERO-level extrusion blow line in the USD 135,000–160,000 band may offer better energy efficiency, faster mold changes, more stable output, and stronger service support. If that saves you even a small fraction of a cent per bottle over tens of millions of bottles, it can easily outperform a cheaper but less efficient machine.

Simple cost-per-bottle examples for common bottle sizes

You can build a quick model for each bottle size you plan to produce (small water bottles, 2–5 L edible oil, 10–30 L jerrycans) and calculate:

• Capex per bottle
• Energy per bottle
• Expected scrap cost per bottle

This gives you a realistic picture, not just a single price tag on the machine.

How to Read and Compare Supplier Quotes Like an Expert

Checklist: what must be clearly written in every quotation

Every serious quotation should clearly list:

• Machine model and configuration (cavities/heads, layers, stations)
• Bottle volume and neck range
• Guaranteed output (bottles/hour) for your bottle size
• Included options (parison control, robots, leak testers, vision, etc.)
• Component brands (PLC, drives, hydraulics, pneumatics)
• Power and air requirements
• Delivery time and installation scope
• Warranty terms and what they cover
• Training and remote support details

Spotting “too cheap” quotes and what might be missing inside

Very low quotes can look attractive, but often hide missing items such as molds, installation, training, or quality components. There may also be limits on bottle size, energy performance, or future flexibility. Always ask the supplier to confirm in writing what is not included.

Evaluating warranty, after-sales service, and spare parts support

Price without support is risky. Look closely at warranty length, coverage, spare parts availability, and remote diagnostic capability. A slightly higher price with stronger service can reduce risk and downtime over the life of the machine.

Comparing Chinese, European and local suppliers fairly

To compare suppliers fairly, normalize on output per hour, included options, shipping and tax estimates, and energy consumption over the machine life. Then consider how fast each supplier can support you on site. Choose based on total cost per bottle and risk profile, not purely on the lowest initial quote.

Example Project Budgets for Common Bottle Applications

New PET water bottle line: typical machine + mold + auxiliary budget

For a 4–6 cavity PET stretch blow line for 500 ml and 1 L water bottles, a typical budget might include:

• PET blowing machine: USD 90,000–200,000
• Molds for one or two bottle sizes: USD 15,000–40,000
• Air compressors, chillers, conveyors, leak tester: USD 40,000–120,000

Total package: roughly USD 145,000–360,000 depending on speed, specifications, and integration level.

HDPE detergent bottle line based on an AERO-type extrusion blow machine

For 1–5 L HDPE detergent bottles, a sample budget could look like:

• AERO-type extrusion blow line: USD 135,000–160,000
• Molds for 2–3 bottle sizes: USD 20,000–60,000
• Conveyors, leak tester, pack-off: USD 30,000–80,000

Total package: roughly USD 185,000–300,000+.

Edible oil or chemical jerrycan line for 10–30 L containers

For larger jerrycans, a sample budget could include:

• Heavy-duty extrusion blow line: USD 150,000–300,000+
• Mold sets for 1–3 jerrycan sizes: USD 30,000–80,000
• Leak testers, conveyors, palletizing: USD 40,000–100,000

Total package: roughly USD 220,000–480,000+ depending on speed and automation.

How ROI usually looks in year 1–3 for each project type

If your line is well utilized, many projects aim for a 2–4 year payback on the bottle blowing part of the line. Payback can be faster when resin savings and external supplier margins are high, and slower if utilization is low or demand is unstable.

How to Choose the Right Fully Automatic Bottle Blowing Machine for Your Budget

Step-by-step: define volumes, bottle types, and growth plan

Before you send an RFQ, define:

• Current annual volume per bottle SKU
• Forecasted volume in 3–5 years
• Bottle sizes, neck finishes, and resin types
• Quality standards (food-grade, pharma, UN jerrycan, etc.)

This frame helps suppliers propose realistic configurations and realistic price bands.

When to choose a simpler AERO-style configuration vs high-spec options

A simpler AERO-style configuration is usually enough when you have a clear range of bottle sizes, stable demand, and you prioritize stable, cost-effective production over maximum speed or very complex structures. High-spec lines with multi-layer, advanced automation, and full line integration make sense when you need barrier structures, high recycled content, or extremely tight quality specifications.

Balancing initial price with flexibility for future SKUs

You do not want to over-spec the machine so much that capex explodes, and you also do not want to under-spec it and get stuck when marketing launches new bottle sizes. A good compromise is to ensure the clamp and extruder or oven can handle at least one size up, leave some space in the layout for extra conveyors or testers, and choose a control system that can store many recipes and SKUs.

Questions to ask your team before sending an RFQ

Ask your team:

• Which bottles must we produce on day one?
• Which bottles might we add in 2–3 years?
• How many shifts per day are realistic?
• What are our local energy and labor costs?
• How much downtime can we tolerate?

The clearer your answers, the more accurate and transparent the quotes you receive will be.

About LekaMachine: Our Experience with Fully Automatic Bottle Blowing Projects

Who we are and how our B2B project model works

LekaMachine focuses on extrusion blow molding machines for HDPE and PP bottles and tanks, and stretch blow molding machines for PET water and beverage bottles. The business model is B2B international export, with a focus on long-term cooperation and project success.

The team helps clients match projects to suitable machine configurations, verify and manage manufacturing partners, coordinate orders and in-process quality control, and manage logistics for reliable delivery.

Overview of our AERO Series price band (USD 135,000–160,000) and use cases

AERO series extrusion blow lines are designed for mass-production bottles and jerrycans up to 30 L. They serve HDPE and PP applications in household chemicals, lube oil, agrochemicals, and other industrial packaging. Typical project configurations fall around USD 135,000–160,000 for the main machine, depending on heads, stations, and selected options.

Typical lead times, installation support, and training approach

For standard configurations, buyers can usually expect clear lead-time windows, on-site or remote installation guidance, and operator and maintenance training during commissioning. The goal is always a fast and stable ramp-up.

How we help with mold design, energy audits, and line optimization

Support continues after the machine ships. LekaMachine assists with bottle and mold design, advises on energy optimization and utility sizing, and helps plan line layout, conveyors, and leak testing. This reduces the risk of paying for capacity you do not need or under-specifying a critical part of the line.

You can explore more details about our extrusion blow molding solutions on our extrusion blow molding machine page, and our PET bottle solutions on the stretch blow molding machine page.

How to Request a Tailored Price List and Quotation

Information you should prepare before contacting us (bottle drawings, output, resins)

To get a precise and realistic price list, prepare:

• Bottle drawings or samples (volume, neck finish, wall thickness targets)
• Planned production volume (bottles per hour and per year)
• Resin type and any recycled content goals
• Local voltage and power supply details
• Space available in your factory

What you can expect in our first proposal and timeline

A typical first proposal from LekaMachine includes one or two recommended machine configurations, expected output per bottle size, scope of supply (including molds and auxiliaries if requested), power and air requirements, and estimated lead time and project timeline.

When a video call, factory visit, or sample bottle test makes sense

A deeper step is useful when the project is large or technically complex, when you need to convince internal stakeholders, or when you want to test bottles on a demo line before finalizing the machine. Video calls, factory visits, and sample tests can help de-risk big investments.

Call-to-action: how to reach LekaMachine for a custom price list and project review

When you are ready, you can share your project brief, bottle drawings, and target output to request a tailored price list for PET stretch blow and HDPE/PP extrusion blow lines. Together we can walk through configuration options, total cost per bottle, and realistic ROI scenarios so you can choose the right fully automatic bottle blowing machine for your factory and your budget.