Usage and Feature of PET

Polyethylene terephthalate, commonly abbreviated PET, PETE, or the obsolete PETP or PET-P, is the most common thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family and is used in fibres for clothing, containers for liquids and foods, thermoforming for manufacturing, and in combination with glass fibre for engineering resins.

PET is used most commonly used in bottles and jars, as well as plain packing tape! PET is a common container material in the food and cosmetics industry because PET is an excellent barrier material, preventing the rapid transfer of molecules. This means that sodas retain their carbonation, foods or cosmetics won’t oxidize and products with a high water or alcohol content won’t evaporate as quickly.

All PET containers can be recycled and reused to make new containers, polyester fabric, sleeping bag insulation and even carpet! The demand for recycled PET products is rapidly increasing and yet because the supply is limited preventing a rapid growth in the recycled plastics industry.