Five Reasons Textile Recyclers Work With ZERMA America
A Full Range of Size-Reduction Equipment
From bulk shredding of baled textiles to fine granulation for fiber recycling feedstock, ZERMA’s lineup covers every stage of the size-reduction process.
Material Testing Before You Buy
We test your actual feedstock at our facility, document the process on video, and send the processed output back to you. Real results, not estimates.
Recommendations Built on Test Data
Our machine recommendations come from watching how your specific material processes, not from matching keywords in a product catalog.
Online Parts Ordering Through Virtus Equipment Direct
Spare parts for ZERMA machines are available through our online store so you can order what you need without waiting on a manual process.
Industry Engagement and Active Participation
ZERMA America attends key industry events including the Textiles Recycling Expo USA and stays current on where the market is heading and what processors need.
ZERMA America at the Textiles Recycling Expo USA 2026
Our team attended the inaugural Textiles Recycling Expo USA in Charlotte, NC on April 29-30, 2026. The show brought together the full textile recycling value chain: collectors, sorters, mechanical and chemical recyclers, brands, and equipment suppliers. ZERMA America was there to connect with processors working on real projects and to hear firsthand where the industry needs better solutions. We will be back for the 2027 edition in April.
Matching the Machine to the Textile Stream
Not every textile recycling application needs the same machine. The right equipment depends on what you are processing, how much throughput you need, what particle size your downstream process requires, and what your feed conditions look like in practice.
Here is a general guide to how different textile streams align with different equipment in the ZERMA lineup:
| Textile Stream | Recommended ZERMA Equipment | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed clothing and apparel bales | ZSS General Purpose Shredder | Screen selection controls output size; handles variable fiber mix |
| Denim, heavy canvas, workwear | ZXS Heavy-Duty Shredder | Higher torque needed for dense, tough material |
| Carpet and nonwovens | ZXS or ZHS Horizontal Shredder | Bulk material, horizontal feed often preferred; high fiber content |
| Mixed footwear including rubber soles | ZXS Heavy-Duty Shredder | Rubber and synthetic sole material requires robust cutting system |
| Pre-shredded textile for fiber recycling | GSH or GSC Granulator | Secondary size reduction to tighter output spec for downstream use |
| Two-stage processing (bulk to fine) | ZCS Shredder-Granulator Combination | Single system, two stages; good for chemical recycling feedstock prep |
| Thermoplastic-content textile material | PM Plastics Pulverizer | Very fine output for certain chemical recycling or compound applications |
This table gives a starting point, but the real answer to “which machine fits my application” comes from running a material test with your actual feedstock. Textile waste is variable enough that general guidelines only go so far.
The Material Testing Process: How It Works
Our material testing service is one of the most direct ways to reduce the risk in a capital equipment decision. Here is what the process looks like:
Ship Us a Sample
Send a representative sample of your textile feedstock to our testing facility. The sample should reflect the actual mix you expect to run, including typical contaminants and size variation.
We Process the Material
Our team runs your sample through the equipment we think fits your application, adjusting screen sizes and settings to target the output specification you need.
We Record the Run on Video
The test run is documented on video so you can see how your material feeds, how it behaves in the cutting chamber, and what the output looks like coming off the machine. You can share this with your team and your downstream partners.
We Return the Processed Output
Your processed material comes back to you so you and your downstream buyer can physically evaluate the particle size and quality.
We Give You a Machine Recommendation
Based on the test results, we recommend the specific equipment that fits your material and throughput requirements, along with screen sizing and any accessories that make sense for your application.
Testing Is Available for Shredding, Granulating, and Pulverizing
Depending on your application, we can test your material through single-stage shredding, single-stage granulating, two-stage shredder-granulator processing, or pulverizing. If you are not sure which process fits your downstream requirements, we can run the test and help you figure that out as part of the engagement.
Virtus Equipment Direct: One Store for All Your Parts
Keeping a textile recycling line running in production depends partly on having quick access to replacement wear parts. ZERMA shredder and granulator knives and screens wear over time in any application, and textile processing can be more demanding on wear parts than some other material streams because of the variable content and potential for hard contaminants.
Virtus Equipment Direct is our online store for ZERMA America spare parts. You can browse and order directly without having to wait on a sales contact for routine replacement parts. Getting the right part quickly keeps your downtime short.
Order ZERMA Parts Online
ZERMA America shredder and granulator spare parts available to order directly through Virtus Equipment Direct.
Start the Conversation Today
If you are working on a textile recycling project and need equipment guidance, send us your material for testing or reach out to our team directly. We are ready to help.
