The invention concerns a compacting and wrapping machine for compacting material into bales and wrapping the bales in wrapping film. It comprises a compaction chamber (1) having an inlet (8) at one end and an outlet (18) at the opposing end. A compactor (11) is located within the compaction chamber (1) for compacting material fed into the inlet end (8), and extruding compacted material from the outlet end (18). A first wrapping station (2) is located at the outlet end (18) for wrapping extruded material in wrapping film. The compaction chamber (1) is horizontally orientated. Drive means are provided for rotating the compaction chamber (1) about the horizontal axis during compaction of material within the chamber (1). A pressure plate (59) is located at the outlet end (18) of the chamber (1) and includes pressure means for pressing the pressure plate (59) against the material as it is extruded from the chamber (1).
