EPE Foam Fruit Net Making Machine

EPE foam fruit net packaging machinery production line is a new type of soft packing material also named as pearl cotton. EPE foam sheet is an ideal substitute of traditional packing material.

It has the following advantages: damp proof, shockproof, sound insulation, heat preservation and high plasticity.
As a new type of packing material, EPE foam sheet is widely used in the areas: electronic product packing, commodity packing,glass and ceramic packing, household apparatus packing, spraying and furniture packing, hardware product and toy packing.
By reprocessing of EPE foam sheet in the way of recombination and thickening, it can also be used as the liner of bag andsuitcases, damp proof layer of wood floor, heat preservation layer of refrigeratory, soft mat for sports.

EPE Foam Net Extrusion Machine Raw material: LDPE(Polyethylene) Finished product: foam net/foam mattress Foam agent: Butane gas Mesh number: 10-40 Density: 20-30 kg/M3 Screw type: Single-screw (38CrMoALA) Screw L/D: 55:1 Cooling method: wind cooling and water cooling

What Raw Materials Are Needed for a Fruit Net Machine?

If you are evaluating a fruit net machine​ for your packaging business in 2026, understanding its raw materials is just as important as knowing the machine price. A fruit net machine​ primarily processes polyethylene-based resins into soft, stretchable tubular mesh sleeves that protect fruits like apples, pears, peaches, and citrus during transport and storage. The correct material selection directly affects net quality, production stability, and per-meter cost.

Primary Raw Material: LDPE

The core material for almost all fruit net machine​ operations is Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)​ . LDPE has the ideal melt flow index (typically MFI 1.5–4.0 g/10min), flexibility, and softness required for fruit net extrusion. It is usually fed in virgin pellet form, though some operators blend 10–30% recycled LDPE granules to reduce cost without significantly compromising net elasticity. The LDPE grade must be specifically designed for foaming or net extrusion - general-purpose injection-grade LDPE will not produce consistent mesh structure.

Secondary Raw Material: EPE Resin

Many modern fruit net machine​ lines use Expandable Polyethylene (EPE)​ resin rather than standard LDPE. EPE contains a physical blowing agent pre-dispersed in the pellets. When heated inside the extruder barrel, the blowing agent expands, creating the characteristic foam texture that gives fruit nets their cushioning properties. Pure EPE resin costs more per kilogram than plain LDPE but eliminates the need for separate chemical foaming agents, simplifies process control, and produces softer, lighter nets.

Additives and Auxiliary Materials

Three types of additives are commonly fed alongside the main resin into a fruit net machine​ :

Foaming Agent​ – If using plain LDPE instead of pre-expanded EPE resin, a chemical foaming agent (usually azodicarbonamide-based or endothermic foaming masterbatch) must be added at 1–3% by weight. This agent decomposes at extrusion temperature to generate gas bubbles inside the molten polymer, creating the cellular foam structure.

Color Masterbatch​ – Fruit nets are often colored for branding or sorting purposes. Standard color masterbatch (PE carrier based) is added at 2–5% ratio. Common colors include green, red, yellow, orange, and white.

Anti-Static Agent / Slip Additive​ – Optional but recommended when nets are wound onto rolls for automated sleeving machines. These additives prevent static cling and reduce surface friction so individual sleeves separate cleanly.

Ancillary Consumables

Beyond the polymer itself, a fruit net machine​ requires:

Cooling water​ for the sizing ring and cooling trough (closed-loop circulation is standard).

Compressed air​ for bubble inflation inside the net tube.

Cutting blades​ (replaceable) for the automatic cutter unit.

Winding cores​ (cardboard or plastic tubes) for finished net rolls.

Typical Consumption Ratio

A medium-output fruit net machine​ producing 10–20 kg/hour of finished net consumes approximately:

92–96% LDPE or EPE resin

2–4% foaming masterbatch (if using plain LDPE)

2–5% color masterbatch

<1% other additives

Total raw material cost typically accounts for 55–70% of the final net selling price, making resin sourcing strategy a critical factor in profitability.

In summary, the essential raw materials for any fruit net machine​ are LDPE or EPE resin as the base polymer, a foaming agent if required, color masterbatch for visual differentiation, and minor functional additives. Operators should always test material compatibility with their specific fruit net machine​ screw design and temperature profile before committing to bulk purchases.