By Greg Washburn and Joshua Belisle · Edited by Dana Gardner
Published August 7, 2024 · Reviewed by Greg Washburn · June 15, 2026

Summary

What is a powder loader used for in plastics processing?

A powder loader is a specialized vacuum loader for conveying dusty regrind and powders such as PVC blended with titanium dioxide or calcium carbonate. It works on the same principle as a standard loader but uses one to three specially designed filters and powerful blowback to keep the filters from clogging. It is not approved for conveying those additives alone.

Powder Loaders operate on the same principle as standard loaders but they are designed specifically for conveying dusty regrind and powders like PVC that include blended amounts of titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, etc. (They are not approved for conveying these additives alone.) Specially designed filters (one to three each) and powerful blowback are required to keep filters from clogging. The conventional dump throat is typical.

Hopper mount models typically have capacities that range from 1/8 through 1 cu. ft.

A machine mount model is available in 1/8 cu.ft.

Some features to look for include:

  • Stainless steel body – wears longer
  • Modular design – for easy access and cleanout
  • Tangential Material Inlet Deflector/Flapper

Provides cyclonic air/material separation which minimizes material degradation

  • Deflector flapper w/ gasket – ensures that blowback does not travel down material line
  • Gasket on dump throat – maintains seal for high vacuum level
  • ‘No-load’ alarm and silencer button – warns of empty material source
  • Automatic pulsed blowback – to reduce frequency of manual cleaning
  • Spun bond polyester filter elements – load powders down to 1 micron and are washable
  • Machine mount models should have level sensor – to avoid over loading

Typical accessories include:

  • External proportioning valve & control– for layering virgin/regrind materials

Typical Option:

  • Brushless motor – to reduce maintenance

Frequently Asked Questions

What sizes do powder loaders come in?

Hopper-mount powder loaders typically range in capacity from 1/8 through 1 cubic foot. A machine-mount model is available in 1/8 cubic foot, and machine-mount models should have a level sensor to avoid overloading. The conventional dump throat is typical on these loaders.

How do powder loaders keep their filters from clogging?

They use specially designed filters, one to three per loader, combined with powerful blowback. Automatic pulsed blowback reduces how often filters need manual cleaning, and a deflector flapper with a gasket keeps blowback from traveling down the material line. Spun bond polyester filter elements handle powders down to 1 micron and are washable.

What features should a powder loader have?

Look for a stainless steel body for longer wear, a modular design for easy access and cleanout, and a tangential material inlet that provides cyclonic separation to minimize material degradation. A gasket on the dump throat maintains the seal for high vacuum, and a no-load alarm warns when the material source is empty.

About the Authors

Greg Washburn, Novatec Vice President of Operations

Vice President of Operations, Novatec

Greg Washburn is Vice President of Operations at Novatec and has been with the company for more than three decades. He is involved in all phases of engineering design and product manufacturing, giving him a broad perspective on how resin drying and conveying equipment moves from engineering concept through production and into real-world processing environments. Greg holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and an MBA from Loyola University Maryland. His experience spans engineering, manufacturing and operations across Novatec’s material-handling technologies.

Joshua Belisle, Novatec Technology Manager

Technology Manager, Novatec

Joshua Belisle is Technology Manager at Novatec, where his work focuses on simulation and technology development for resin drying. He earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Engineering Business from the University of Virginia in 2023 and joined Novatec that same year. Joshua uses simulation tools to investigate previously difficult-to-measure aspects of the drying process, helping Novatec better understand airflow, heat transfer and other variables that influence resin-drying performance.

Related Articles

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Ask the Expert

Greg Washburn, Conveying Product Engineering Manager, Novatec, Inc.

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Novatec, Inc.

410-789-4811 | 800-237-8379

http://www.novatec.com

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