Polyethene terephthalate (often abbreviated PET or PETE) is the chemical name for the plastic known as polyester. It is a transparent, robust, and lightweight material that is widely used, especially for packaging food and drinks — for instance, nearly all single-serve and 2-litre bottles of carbonated soft drinks and bottled water sold are made of PET.

In addition to bottles, PET finds use for containers for salad dressing, peanut butter, cooking oils, mouthwash, shampoo, liquid hand soap, window cleaner, and even tennis balls. There are specialised grades of PET for take-home food containers and trays that can be warmed in the oven or microwave.

The material is formed from two basic building blocks, thylene glycol and terephthalic acid, which are joined to form long polymer chains. The resulting strands are extruded, rapidly cooled, and chopped into small pellets. These pellets are then heated to a molten state and moulded, or extruded into objects of virtually any shape. 

PET was first made in North America in the mid-1940s by chemists at DuPont who were seeking new synthetic fibres. DuPont marketed its PET fibre under the brand name “Dacron.” Today, more than half of the world’s synthetic fibre is produced from PET, in fibre or fabric form, the material is called “polyester”, whereas when used for containers and other products, it is called PET resin. 

However, in India, its widespread use began in the 1980s, when PET bottles became popular for mineral water and carbonated beverages.

Safety & Regulatory Approval

PET is recognised as safe for contact with foods and beverages by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and health agencies worldwide. It does not contain bisphenol-A (BPA) or phthalate plasticisers. Because of its unique properties, PET is rapidly becoming the material of choice globally for food and beverage packaging: it is as strong and inert as glass, yet far lighter, shatter-proof and easier to transport.

PET is chemically inert, meaning it does not react with or leach substances into the foods or liquids it contains. It contains no bisphenol-A (BPA), no phthalates, and no harmful plasticisers, making it one of the safest packaging materials for human health.

Extensive testing has shown that PET resin meets global safety standards for packaging, even under extreme temperature and storage conditions. In addition, PET packaging offers several advantages over alternatives such as glass or aluminium: it is shatterproof, lightweight, and resistant to contamination.

Recyclability & Sustainability

PET is 100% recyclable and holds the resin identification code “#1” (the chasing arrows triangle). It is also the most recycled plastic in India and worldwide.

India is considered a global leader in PET recycling, achieving an impressive 80–90% recycling rate, far higher than the global average. This success comes from India’s well-organised informal recycling sector, which includes thousands of waste collectors, recyclers, and small industries that give PET bottles a valuable second life.

Recycled PET (rPET) in India is used for:

  • Manufacturing new bottles and jars
  • Producing polyester fibres for clothing, carpets, and upholstery
  • Creating industrial strapping, ropes, and automotive components
  • Making insulation, bedding, and filling materials

Recycling PET helps reduce energy use, carbon emissions, and landfill waste. Studies by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Plastindia Foundation confirm that rPET manufacturing consumes up to 60% less energy than virgin PET production.

When disposed of, PET packaging is chemically stable and poses no risk of harmful leaching. It also crushes easily, reducing landfill space. From a sustainability perspective, PET is more energy-efficient and eco-friendly than materials like glass or aluminium, as it is lighter to transport and easier to recycle.

India’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework is further strengthening the PET recycling ecosystem by making brands responsible for collecting and recycling their packaging waste — a major step toward a circular economy.

Industries in Which PET Is Used

Beyond the packaging uses described, PET is utilised across a broad range of industries owing to its combination of strength, clarity, chemical resistance, and recyclability. Here are some of the major industry sectors:

1. Packaging
  • PET is heavily used in the food & beverage sector for bottles (water, soft drinks, juices), jars, clamshell containers, and trays. 
  • Its transparency and barrier properties make it ideal for products where seeing the contents and preserving freshness matter.

DRJ Plasttech has become a trusted choice for water bottling brands seeking safe and sustainable PET packaging solutions.

20/10/1 liter plastic bottles made from PET preforms
2. Textiles & Fibres
  • In fibre form, PET is known as polyester and is used for clothing, home furnishings (curtains, carpets), upholstery and industrial fabrics. 
  • Recycled PET (rPET) is increasingly used to make textile fibres, which supports circular-economy goals. 
3. Automotive & Engineering
  • PET is used in automotive interiors (seat fabrics, carpets), under-hood components, insulation, and lightweight structural parts to help reduce weight and improve fuel efficiency. 
  • In engineering plastics and films, PET is valued for its strength, thermal stability and dielectric properties. 
4. Electronics & Electrical Applications
  • PET films serve in flexible packaging and as insulating films in electronics, connector housings, and other components that require durability and dimensional stability. 
5. Healthcare / Medical Packaging
  • Thanks to its chemical inertness and safety, PET is used for pharmaceutical and medical device packaging, blister packs, medical trays and more. 
6. Construction & Industrial
  • PET materials are also used in the construction sector for insulation panels, roofing membranes, composite panels and other building-material applications.