Polyethylene terephthalate or PET is a plastic resin used primarily to make soft drink bottles. PET was developed as a textile fiber in the 1940s and is still used as such for carpets and clothing.
In 1977 blow-molded PET bottles became commercially available for carbonated soft drinks.
In 1984 blow-molded PET bottles appeared in the market for liquor products with applications for on-beverage foods, pharmaceuticals and toiletries.
PET is formed from condensation reaction of dimethyl terephthalate and ethylene glycol. Because PET contains the ester group O-C=O, as a repeating unit, PET is referred to as a polyester.
Peanut butter, salad dressing and other household and consumer products are also package in PET bottles.
Other forms of PET packaging include trays and sheeting for cups and food trays.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging
