In this article piece, we shall take a closer look at the world-wide phenomenon of PET plastic. Poly-ethylene terephthalate (PET), more commonly known as polyester, is a strong and light type of plastic that redefined convenience. Today, we use PET throughout all industries, starting with clothing fabrics and cushion inserts, through automotive parts and accessories up to a more recent development, namely Ammeraal Beltech’s conveyor belts with rPET Fabrics. However, the world-changing PET revolution began a few decades ago in the Food Industry.
PET Bottles Industry
Polyester, as a packaging for food and beverages, provides a solid and cheap cover. It is a perfect material to produce yogurt containers, clamshells for fragile salad dressings, but most importantly, liquid bottles. Despite plastic being used in the Food Industry since the 1950s, it was the invention of Nathaniel C. Wyeth, the Poly-ethylene terephthalate, that marked the popularity breaking point. He aimed at bottling soda water in plastic, as the pressurised liquids were too strong for the usual material. PET bottles became in demand in the 1970s when Beverage Industry leaders realised that the new kind of plastic had been approved by Food Safety authorities, thus enabling massive expenditure savings along the whole supply chain. When compared to glass or aluminium counterparts used for sparkling drinks, from raw materials cost, through easier moulding and casting, to safer transporting and storing, PET containers quickly became triumphal.
Marketing the new solution was unchallenging. In 1978, Coca-Cola and PEPSI introduced the world’s first PET bottle of 2 litres volume, making it accessible globally almost instantly. The biggest influence, though, came in the late 1980s in New York. Famous American supermodels started to promote Evian sparkling water bottles as a convenience article that should always be at hand. Physicians claimed that the water bottle is nutritious for hair and skin, and that it is healthier to drink than tap water and soda drinks. Additionally, polyester was said to be entirely recyclable, which legitimised its use completely.
People showed an instant appreciation for the lighter, cheaper and reusable containers. Suddenly, anyone could take a small water bottle for a walk, or a bike ride without worrying about damaging it or not being able to close it again. Polyester was rising in other areas simultaneously. Organising kitchen essentials became easier thanks to strong transparent boxes that wouldn’t break if dropped. Furthermore, groceries stopped being so weighty in shopping bags. Produced constantly, polyester became an irreversible part of the civilisation.