Applications
Uses of Recycled PET Flakes
Where rPET goes after recycling, and the flake grade each application needs.
Recycled PET flakes are one of the most widely used recycled plastics. Shree Hari Polymers supplies recycled PET to four industries: fibre, sheet, chemical and monofilament. Below is how each one uses the material, along with other common applications.
Polyester staple fibre (PSF)
Fibre is the largest use of recycled PET flakes in India. Flakes are dried, melted and spun into polyester staple fibre, which goes into:
- Fibrefill for pillows, quilts, cushions, mattresses and soft toys
- Spun yarn for clothing and home textiles
- Non-woven fabrics, geotextiles, wipes and filters
- Carpets and automotive felts
Grade needed: clear hot washed flakes with low PVC for white and dyeable fibre; green or mixed flakes for coloured and black fibre.
PET sheet and thermoformed packaging
Flakes are extruded into PET sheet, which is thermoformed into trays, clamshells, blister packs, cups, lids and folding boxes.
Grade needed: clear, hot washed flakes with very low contamination, since specks and haze are visible in transparent sheet.
Chemical industry
Recycled PET is a feedstock for chemical processes. Through glycolysis and related reactions it is converted into polyester polyols and unsaturated polyester resins, used in coatings, paints, adhesives, insulation foam and fibre-reinforced plastics.
Grade needed: colour is usually less critical, so coloured and mixed flakes are often suitable.
Monofilament
PET monofilament is a single, thick continuous filament. Recycled PET monofilament is used for brush and broom bristles, ropes and twine, fishing and agricultural nets, zip fasteners and industrial fabrics.
Grade needed: clean flakes with good, consistent intrinsic viscosity for strength; colour depends on the product.
Other uses of PET flakes
- PET strapping: packaging straps used to secure cartons, bales and pallets; green flakes are widely used.
- Polyester filament yarn: for fabrics and industrial yarn.
- Bottle-to-bottle: food-grade rPET made with additional decontamination steps for new bottles.
- Injection moulded and engineering products: after compounding.
Which PET flakes for which application?
| Application | Usual colour | Usual washing grade |
|---|---|---|
| White / dyeable fibre | Clear, light blue | Hot washed |
| Coloured or black fibre | Green, brown, mixed | Hot or cold washed |
| Clear PET sheet | Clear | Hot washed |
| Strapping | Green, mixed | Hot washed |
| Monofilament | Clear, green, mixed | Hot washed |
| Chemical feedstock | Any | Washed |
Not sure which grade suits your process? Tell us what you make and we will advise.