Product
Recycled PET Flakes
PET bottle flakes supplied as an industrial raw material for fibre, sheet, chemical and monofilament production. Here is what to know before you buy.
What are PET flakes?
PET flakes are the product of mechanically recycling PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles. Used bottles are sorted, stripped of caps and labels, ground into small pieces, washed and dried. The result is a free-flowing flake that can be melted and re-formed into new products. You will also see them called PET bottle flakes, rPET flakes or recycled PET flakes.
Shree Hari Polymers recycles PET plastic waste at Sahibabad, Ghaziabad (Delhi NCR) and supplies the recycled material to manufacturers in India. Contact us for current availability, specification and price.
Types of PET flakes
By colour
- Clear (natural / transparent) PET flakes — made from colourless water and beverage bottles. The most versatile and most sought-after grade because it can be used for white fibre and clear sheet.
- Light blue PET flakes — from lightly tinted water bottles; often blended with clear flakes.
- Green PET flakes — from green soft-drink bottles; used for coloured fibre, strapping and monofilament.
- Brown / amber and mixed colour PET flakes — used where colour does not matter, such as dark fibre, strapping and some chemical uses.
By washing method
- Hot washed PET flakes — washed in hot water with caustic soda and detergent, which removes glue, oil and fine dirt. Preferred for fibre, sheet and any application sensitive to contamination.
- Cold washed PET flakes — washed in ambient water only. Lower cost, with more residual glue and dirt; usually washed again by the buyer or used in less demanding applications.
- Unwashed (dry ground) PET flakes — bottles that have only been ground. Sold to recyclers who run their own washing line.
Quality parameters buyers check
The figures below are indicative ranges commonly quoted in the Indian market for washed PET bottle flakes. They are a general guide, not a specification for any particular lot — always confirm the specification of the material you are buying.
| Parameter | Why it matters | Typical range for good washed flakes |
|---|---|---|
| Flake size | Affects feeding, drying and melting | 8–14 mm |
| Moisture | PET degrades if melted wet; lower moisture means less drying | Below 1–2% |
| PVC content | PVC burns at PET processing temperatures, causing black specks and yellowing | Below 100 ppm (below 50 ppm for premium) |
| Polyolefin (cap / label) content | PP and PE do not mix with PET and weaken the product | Below 100–200 ppm |
| Glue, paper and other contamination | Causes filter blockage and defects | As low as possible; hot washing removes most |
| Intrinsic viscosity (IV) | Indicates molecular weight and so strength of the end product | About 0.70–0.80 dl/g for bottle-grade PET |
| Bulk density | Affects transport cost and feeding | About 250–400 kg/m³ |
| Colour consistency | Off-colour flakes limit use in white fibre and clear sheet | Sorted by colour; minimal off-colour pieces |
How to choose the right PET flakes
- Start with your end product. White or dyed fibre and clear sheet need clear, hot washed flakes with very low PVC. Strapping, dark fibre and monofilament can accept coloured flakes.
- Ask for the contamination figures. PVC, polyolefin and moisture levels decide how well the material runs on your line.
- Check consistency, not just one sample. A reliable supplier delivers the same quality lot after lot.
- Agree packing and quantity. Flakes are normally shipped in jumbo bags; confirm bag weight and load size.
PET flakes vs PET chips and granules
Flakes are the direct output of washing and grinding bottles. PET chips or rPET granules are made by melting flakes, filtering the melt and cutting it into uniform pellets. Granules are more uniform and easier to feed but cost more. Many fibre and sheet producers run directly on good-quality flakes.
Buy PET flakes from Shree Hari Polymers
To check availability and price, call +91 97112 26556, email anshagarwal481@gmail.com or use the enquiry form. Tell us the colour, washing grade, monthly quantity and delivery location.