EQUIPMENT SPOTLIGHT | NOVEMBER 2026 Balers

by MARY M. THORNTON
[email protected]

The American Forest & Paper Association reported that our nation, through residential, institutional, commercial and industrial sectors, managed to recycle approximately 45 million tons of paper in 2025 and the rate for cardboard was 33 million tons. Over two thirds of the resulting recycled material was used to make new products and half of that quantity made new cardboard boxes. These achievements are the result of the recycling innovations in research, outreach and new technology use. The overall success in these efforts is also due to decades of commitment by those who invest in and improve, recycling methods. One aspect of those methods involves paper and cardboard baling machinery, manufactured by companies such as those described in the following.

“The BALETECH Pathfinder is an entry level horizontal baler. It is the perfect fit for any operation that is ready to move up to the next level of baling. With the ability to efficiently handle increased volumes of paper and cardboard generated at your facility, this baler is a great fit for users that have outgrown their manual fed vertical balers and are sometimes faced with limited floor space,” noted Angel Martinez, sales manager.

Baletech Recycling Equipment

Manufactured by JM Hydraulics, the Pathfinder can be a time management aid, as it can handle larger material throughput with standard and automatic, photo-eye operation. The automatic operation feature allows the Pathfinder to be used and fed manually, with dumper totes, air-feed systems and conveyor options. The baler operates at higher working pressures than vertical models, which will produce heavier weight paper bales for higher recycling returns. The Pathfinder also includes regenerative hydraulics, which reduces cycle time and can save on power consumption cost. The baler produces industry standard, 42 x 32” size bales with variable length options up to 65” to best suit end user preferences.

Martinez explained, “The Pathfinder baler provides operators with the features of a larger baler at a lean price point with the ability to improve baling capabilities in a larger environment. The machine can be used by recyclers, destruction/document shredders, warehouses, distribution centers or anywhere higher volumes of paper are generated. Call anytime for a free consultation and we’ll show you how the BALETECH Pathfinder baler can reduce your paper baling expenses and improve your process for efficiency.”

C&M Baling Systems manufactures a broad line of industrial balers for processing paper, OCC and other fiber recyclables. Their product line includes vertical balers for lower-volume operations and horizontal manual-tie and automatic-tie balers for medium to high volume processors. C&M offers more than 150 standard models, as well as custom engineered systems designed around a customerʼs specific material stream and production requirements. Built with heavy duty steel construction, industrial hydraulic systems and readily available hydraulic and electrical components are why these balers maximize durability and simplify maintenance. Baler customers use C&M equipment to produce dense, mill-quality bales that reduce transportation costs and improve material handling efficiency.

C&M Baling Systems, Inc.

John Gibbs, general manager, advised that in selecting and installing a baling system begins with understanding processing volume, available floor space, labor requirements and the types of paper being processed. Higher volume operations often benefit from automated horizontal balers that increase throughput while reducing manual handling. Proper installation, material flow, and system integration are also critical to achieving long-term productivity and minimizing downtime.

He also commented that automation continues to be one of the strongest trends. “Recycling facilities are looking for equipment that helps address labor shortages while improving throughput and producing consistent bale quality. Customers also expect equipment that operates reliably under demanding conditions and requires minimal maintenance. Integrating balers with conveyors and other material-handling systems is becoming increasingly common as facilities seek greater operating efficiency.”

Gibbs concluded, “Every recycling operation has unique requirements, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Our focus is on helping customers select equipment that fits their application today while providing the durability and flexibility needed for future growth. As demand for recovered fiber remains strong, dependable baling equipment continues to play a vital role in supporting efficient recycling operations and supplying quality material to paper mills and manufacturers.”

Harris American Company

Mike Schwinn, vice president of distributor sales, stated that Harris American Company is an industry leader across three major baler categories – 2Ram, extrusion balers and lower volume manual tie balers. He added that “while many competitors specialize in a single baler type and attempt to fit every application into their design, Harris American Company uses our expertise across all three technologies, matching the best solution to the customer’s needs. The recycling industry has changed dramatically. As printed paper volumes decline and digital communication grows, recycling facilities are processing increasing amounts of corrugated cardboard (OCC), plastic film, rigid plastics and scrap metals alongside traditional paper grades.”

For operations handling multiple material streams, Schwinn noted that the Harris 2Ram baler is the ideal solution – and their HRB-Centurion remains the industryʼs benchmark. The reason, in part, is because for more than 30 years, the machine has delivered unmatched performance, durability and reliability. Available in 150 and 200 hp configurations, the HRB-Centurion processes approximately 15 to 25 tons of paper per hour. With 232 tons of baling force, it consistently produces dense, high-quality bales that maximize transportation efficiency and material value. Additional attributes include a heavy-duty box design with the industry’s strongest construction; a large feed opening for efficient material handling; proven performance across a wide range of recyclable materials and exceptional durability in demanding operating environments.

Harris American Company manufactures 2Ram balers at each of their four production facilities, which facilitates the flexibility to deliver equipment with shorter lead times than many others in the industry. “Our commitment doesn’t end with the sale. Harris American is backed by a network of 18 distributors and more than 160 factory trained service technicians, providing responsive support whenever and wherever itʼs needed. From installation and startup to ongoing service and maintenance, weʼre committed to delivering an outstanding customer experience throughout the life of your equipment. We will demonstrate how we can help you improve efficiency, increase throughput and maximize the value of your recycling operation,” Schwinn concluded.

Published in the November 2026 Edition of American Recycler News