Here at Indepak, we use a wide variety of thermoplastic materials to create packages, trays and other thermoplastic products. One commonly used material for thermoform molding is polyethylene terephthalate. This plastic, more commonly and easily known as PET, is one of the most widely used thermoplastics on the planet.
PET is actually a member of the vast polyester family. While polyester might make you think about clothing, particularly the groovy styles of the late 1960s and 1970s, this family of thermoplastics is quite versatile and used to make many products and packages.
When it comes to PET, this thermoplastic polymer boasts properties which make it ideal for many packages. Because it offers high barrier properties against substances such as water vapor, oils, gases, alcohols and dilute acids, it is an ideal choice as a container for many foods and beverages. In fact, virtually all water bottles are created using PET.
PET also has several other advantages. For instance, it is a highly affordable thermoplastic in general and its light weight helps reduce shipping costs. It is also a strong, shatter-proof material which means that your product with be well-protected.
Its clarity is yet another advantage of PET. Because its clarity is similar to glass, using PET makes it easier for consumers to see your product. Of course, like all thermoplastics, it is easy to mold into virtually any shape. Our team of thermoform molding experts can create just about any type of packaging using PET or PETG. The latter of which is simply glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate and this type of thermoplastic is even more impact-resistant than PET. PETG also is RF sealable, which makes it a good option for many types of packaging. Both PET and PETG are approved for use by the FDA and the USDA.
These days, many consumers worry about food packaging that contains a substance known as bisphenol A or BPA. However, neither PET packaging nor PETG packaging contains BPA so if you are searching for an affordable, BPA-free material for your food or beverage packaging, PET or PETG might be a good option.
Additionally, PET is the easiest thermoplastic to recycle. This type of plastic is accepted by virtually every curbside recycling program in the United States. If you flip over a thermoplastic package, you will notice that each package is marked with a resin identification code and PET has a code of 1. Thermoplastic products with a 1 or a 2 typically are the easiest materials to recycle. The 2 indicates that the material used was high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and we also use this material to create many thermoform molding projects.
No matter what type of thermoform molding project you have, the team at Indepak can match you with the ideal materials. In addition to PET, PETG and HDPE, we also use thermoplastics such as PVC, ABS, PP and OPS as well as some starch-based bio materials. We also can craft combination designs that include paper or pulp as well as thermoplastic materials. Give us a call today and we will discuss your product and packaging needs as see if PET or PETG will be the best choice for your project.
