The polyethylene terephthalate, commonly abbreviated as PET, is the preferred type of plastic packaging material in the water beverage industry. PET combines the optimal protection of a product’s qualities with characteristics such as safety, lightness, resistance and transparency. PET is a material that is fully recyclable and can be widely recycled in multiple applications, including bottle-to-bottle.

Why do manufacturers turn to PET plastics when they could choose other types of materials that may be more readily available?

PET plastics are durable and strong. Most applications can be used repeatedly (recycling is a possibility with these products). In addition, it is transparent, making it quite versatile for various applications. It is resealable; because it is easy to mold into any shape, it is easy to seal. It is also unlikely to shatter. Moreover, perhaps most importantly in many applications, it is an inexpensive type of plastic to use.

Benefits of PET plastic bottles

• Lightweight: Cost-effective to produce and require less energy to transport
• Safe: Do not shatter and cause a hazard if broken or damaged
• Convenient: Because they are safe and lightweight, they are also convenient for on-the-go consumption
• Re-sealable: Suitable for multi-serve packs
• Recyclable: Can be recycled so that the PET can be used over and over again
• Sustainable: Increasing numbers of PET plastic bottles are made from recycled PET
• Distinctive: Can be moulded into different shapes, enabling brands to use them to build identity and promote drinks
• Flexible: Manufacturers can switch from one bottle shape or size to another, meaning a high level of efficiency

Why not we choose glass bottles?

Bottles made out of glass are used mainly for 0.5, 1 or 1.5 litre formats for restaurants and premium packaging because glass bottles are heavier and easily breakable during transport.

PET bottle is a packaging that is fully recyclable and can be widely recycled in multiple applications, including bottle-to-bottle. Benefits of recycling plastic bottles include reduced waste in landfills, conservation of natural resources and reduced energy and greenhouse gas emissions. Indeed, recycling plastics reduces the amount of energy and resources (such as water, petroleum, natural gas and coal) needed to create new plastic.

PET plastic bottles are a popular choice for packaging soft drinks due to the numerous benefits they provide both to manufacturers and consumers. 70% of soft drinks (carbonated drinks, still and dilutable drinks, fruit juices and bottled water), are now packaged in PET plastic bottles – the rest comes mainly in glass bottles, metal cans and cartons.

There are both industrial- and consumer-related uses for PET plastics. The following are some examples of the most common uses for polyethylene terephthalate:

• It is commonly used in bottles and other plastic containers. This includes soda bottles, bakery products, water bottles, peanut butter jars and even in frozen foods packaging.
• It is used to hold cosmetics. Since it is easy to mold, manufacturers can create very specific shapes for a variety of cosmetic products.
• It is commonly used for the storage of chemicals, including household cleaners.