What Is rPET?

Polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, is a type of plastic resin as well as a form of polyester. It can be fully recycled, in which case it becomes recycled polyethylene terephthalate, or rPET. Essentially, the material is a polymer, which is made by combining purified terephthalic acid and modified ethylene glycol, both monomers. PET was originally discovered in 1941 in the United Kingdom, where it was also patented.

If you grab a container or bottle, you may notice a #1 code on the bottom of it. That is to say it is made out of PET. It is very common as a packaging material, including things like peanut butter, beverages, produce, bakery goods, salad, frozen foods, cosmetics, dressings, and household cleaners. PET itself is incredibly popular because it is transparent, thermo-stable and incredibly durable. Additionally, it is lightweight, affordable, shatter resistant, resealable and, most important of all, recyclable. This is where rPET comes in.

>>>Plastic recycling symbols – What do they mean?

>>>PET Recycling Process

After the sorting process, the PET material is ground into particles known as “flakes.” Flake purity is central to preserving the value of the reclaimed plastic. Further separation techniques involve washing and air classification as well as water baths, where material either sinks or floats, which helps separate residual foreign materials.

Removal of foreign matters from PET bottles as shown in the figure

>>>How Is rPET Used?

RPET can be used in a huge variety of ways. These include:

· Polyester carpet fiber

· Fabric for T-shirts

· Long underwear

· Athletic shoes

· Luggage, upholstery

· Sweaters and fiberfill for sleeping bags and winter coats

· Industrial strapping

· Sheet and film

· Automotive parts

· New PET containers

The use of recycled PET in place of virgin resin typically results in reduced energy consumption, lower cost, and reduced environmental impact. Both virgin and recycled PET can be used to package just about anything: water and soda bottles, food (including cakes, cut fruit, and salads), cosmetics, razors, and toys are just a few items. PET is also a common component found in fiber or fabric applications (such as carpeting, clothing, sleeping bags, and more), where it’s usually referred to as “polyester”. Because of the worldwide prevalence of this material, it has a high value and is particularly important to recycle. By taking purchased curbside collected bales of PET bottles and thermoforms and giving them a new life as thermoformed food and retail packages, Placon is helping to preserve petroleum and energy resources.

Examples of products made from recycled PET resin

Examples of high added value recycled products
Carpets, car mats, hot covers, area rugs Examples of making floor covering for living space

Sustainability

Most of the PET containers you come across are likely made from virgin PET materials. However, when these bottles and containers are recycled by the consumer (that’s you!), it becomes post-consumer recycled PET, or PCR PET. After going through a recycling procedure, like our EcoStar process, the once-PET material has been transformed into post-consumer recycled PET material.

The rPET fabric used in Luggage, Bag&Cases

It’s a fabric made completely from used PET plastic bottles. These bottles are melted down into a liquid polymer, purified into filament yarn, and then woven into a durable fabric to create an ECO- bag you’ll love as much as the earth does.

For examples: