What is PET Plastic?

What Is PET Plastic?

Polyethylene terephthalate, better referred to as PET as it is commonly known, is one of the various plastics classified under the family of polyesters. The plastic is synthesized from ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid which are polymerized to form a PET resin. This type of plastic resin is widely used in applications because of its lightweight as well as clarity, strengths.
Bottled water, soda or juice manufacturers will readily adopt PET plastic with the packaging of soft drink bottles. Other items, like food, soap as well as cosmetic containers make use of this material. In addition to its strength and other positive qualities, PET is also appreciated and widely used in the packaging industry due to its recyclability.

Background of the PET Plastic

In the mid-1940s, DuPont chemists in North America first synthesized PET while searching for new synthetic fibers. DuPont later branded this PET fiber as “Dacron.” Today, over half of the world’s synthetic fibers are made from PET, known as “polyester” when used for fiber or fabric applications.

Characteristics of PET Plastic

Due to a variety of properties that the material plastic holds, PET plastic has a very wide application, particularly in packaging. These are:

• Strength: Due to their strength, PET containers do not break easily, this is an advantage in case of packing liquids or other products that have to be kept safely.
• Ease of Weight: PET weight is overwhelmingly less than that of glass or metal, hence less cost on the transportation and energy spent in shipping.
• Clarity: Even though PET is colored, it has a film render clear, and this quality makes it possible to present products, wherein the consumers need to view the content of the package especially food and beverage.
• Chemically Resistant: PET is extremely stable, tough, and essentially inert. PET’s high resistance to chemical and biological reactions with other substances is central to its safety.
• Waste Reduction: Waste management presents challenging issues for the modern world and therefore the fact that PET can be recycled is amongst the biggest advantages of this material. It is one of the most recycled plastics(Plastic Recycling Chart) on the planet making it a better option compared to other types of plastics.

The Future of PET Plastic

Since there is an increase in the need for more sustainable materials, researchers and companies are seeking ways to come up with more eco-friendly PET plastic. Some of the innovations in this realm include the following:

• Bio- PET: Currently biobased- PET is Eco friendly made from plant material for example corn starch or sugar cane rather than fossil. Although it has all the properties of conventional PET resins, it has a reduced carbon impact due to its plastic content being from plants. Gidea PAC is currently conducting a research on PLA (Polylactic acid)PET materials. It is believed that this new material will be widely used in the cosmetic containers produced by its company in the near future.
• Recycling:

  Up to 100% of a PET package can be made from recycled plastic and the material is recyclable ad infinitum. It is as a rule cleaned and melted, or otherwise depolymerized in order to obtain new PET resin pellets for further processing.

  Above all, recycled PET can be used in production of new PET bottles and jars, carpets, clothes, car parts and construction materials.

  As in some countries, PET plastics belong to resin code number ‘1’ which is located within the universal recycling sign which is generally put at the bottom of the container.

  At Gidea PAC we are fully committed to a low carbon footprint and most of our products have the option of being made from recycled plastic. re-PET not only reduces your carbon footprint, it also qualifies your product for exemption from plastic tax.

Conclusion

Owing to the flexibility, strength and possible recyclability of PET, it has become indispensable in contemporary living. While the same does provide several advantages, especially regarding packaging and sustainability, uneasy issues are the concerns associated with it.
Reengineering can only be effectively achieved by realizing the fact that the four solutions required to address the adverse impacts of PET plastic include recycling, seeking for greener alternatives in manufacturing, and looking for other materials.
At Gidea PAC, we offer a wide range of PET bottles and jars suitable for various applications, including skincare, beauty, and personal care. We also provide numerous caps and accessories to complement our bottles and jars.
Visit our shop to explore the full range of PET products.