When evaluating a label remover, the machine’s price is only half the story. The real recycling machine operating cost is hidden in the maintenance schedule. And the single biggest factor in label remover maintenance is the material of its blades.

Standard Steel Blades:

  • Lower Upfront Cost: They are cheaper to manufacture.
  • High Wear Rate: Steel is relatively soft. The constant friction with dirt, grit, and hard plastic labels wears them down quickly. You might need to replace or sharpen them every 1-2 months, leading to significant downtime and labor costs.

Tungsten Carbide Tipped Blades:

  • What is it? Tungsten carbide is a composite material renowned for being one of the hardest materials on earth, second only to diamond.
  • Extreme Wear Resistance: These wear resistant blades can last 6-10 times longer than standard steel blades. They maintain their sharp, cutting edge for much longer, ensuring the de-labeling efficiency stays high.
  • Reduced TCO: While Tungsten carbide recycling blades have a higher initial cost, the savings are enormous. You drastically reduce replacement frequency, minimize machine downtime, and lower your long-term labor costs.

Choosing tungsten carbide is a strategic investment in uptime and profitability. It directly translates to a more reliable and less expensive operation over the life of the machine.