Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is a stable polyester with increasing uses. It has for sometime been used in bottles and food food containers but is also increasing used as an alternative to thermoset plastics (because of its recyclability) in in construction for casings of electrical and automotive industries, such as electrical encapsulation, solenoids, smart meters, photovoltaics and junction boxes.
It is listed as number 1 under the Resin Identification Code (RIC) and is one of the most recycled thermoplastics on the market, particularly when used in the manufacture of plastic drinks bottles. PET bottles are 100% recyclable however recent research showed that although approximately 50% on bottles in Europe are recycled, the manufacture of new PET bottles involves only around 17% recycled content.
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