What is the RPET Material?

February 29 , 2020

Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate

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: