The world of plastic is divided into different types of industrial materials, one of which is PET plastic used in many industries. PET stands for Polyethylene terephthalate. PET belongs to the polyester group, which is a type of raw plastic material derived from petroleum. It was discovered by British scientists John Rex Whinfield, James Tennant Dickson, and others in 1941, and they obtained a patent for it. Once its effectiveness was discovered, many companies started using it, and it became more common. The first patent for a PET bottle was registered in 1973. It has become well-known worldwide as one of the most recyclable materials used on the planet. Many products are packaged with these types of materials due to their desirable properties, such as being unbreakable, cost-effective, lightweight, water-resistant, and recyclable. This is an interesting point from an environmental perspective, as it reduces the consumption of raw materials.

PET plastic is widely used in various industries due to its physiological properties.

• It possesses a high level of stability, making it versatile and strong.
• It can be processed through blow molding, injection molding, and extrusion.
• It has excellent mechanical properties.
• It has transparency and gloss with an amplified effect.
• It has an excellent level of corrosion resistance compared to other plastic materials.
• It has a high flexural modulus (making it flexible).
• It is lightweight.
• It acts as a gas barrier.
• It has a low friction coefficient, making it useful in various applications where other types of plastics are not used.
• It is biodegradable.
• It can be sterilized by gamma and ethylene oxide.
• It possesses a high level of stability, making it versatile and strong.
• Chemicals do not leak from the plastic into the stored liquids or food – making it one of the most important products for food storage.
• One of its most important characteristics is its self-lubrication, as it absorbs water from the surrounding environment, making it water-based as well, allowing for the processing of materials using a common molding machine and then drying them.

The chemicals do not leak through it into the liquids or food stored inside, making it one of the most important products for food storage. These properties make it a useful choice for manufacturers who need safe plastic for use with food products or for continuous use.

Different uses of PET plastic

There are numerous uses of PET plastic in our daily lives, as there are many different products made from it. Here are some of its applications:

• Plastic bottles and containers that are recyclable, such as soda and water bottles.
• Textile industries, where it is used as a substitute for linen and cotton in many clothing items.
• Camera film or photography, also used in the production of various photographic films, in addition to X-ray printing.
• Mechanical industries.
• Lighting projects, PET plastic is used in the manufacturing of lamps with different designs.
• Advertising media, such as posters or banners.
• Chemical storage.

Recycling PET plastic

It is generally believed that PET products can only be recycled a few times, but in reality, they can be recycled indefinitely if the recycling process is carried out effectively, depending on the intended purpose. PET has become the most recycled type of plastic in the world today. In Spain, 44% of the packaging on the market is used for secondary purposes. This percentage should increase to 55% by 2025 to comply with the circular economy strategy approved by the European Commission. When PET is recycled, RPET plastic is created, which is a similar form. The first PET bottle was recycled in 1977, and as a main component in many plastic bottles used today, one of the most common discussions about PET plastic is its recycling. An average household is estimated to produce about 42 pounds of PET plastic bottles annually. Recycled PET can be used in various ways and in different fields, including its use in fabrics such as shirts and underwear. It can be used as fibers in polyester-based carpets, winter coats, and sleeping bags. In industrial applications, it can be very effective in film production.