PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is used to package a variety of products and is approved for food and beverage content by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other similar regulating agencies around the world. It has been in use for more than 35 years. Despite its long-term use, myths and misconceptions about the material have circulated in the social media. Contrary to what many people think, PET does not contain dioxins, Bisphenol A, or plasticizers.
BioFormPX is a pet product made from 100% renewable plant sugars
Virent has developed a process to produce paraxylene from plant sugars, a chemical that has the same properties as petroleum paraxylene. The petroleum-free feedstock has a range of potential applications, including packaging, bottling, and various fibres and materials. According to Virent’s CEO, bio-based PX will open up new markets for the company.
The process of making PET plastic from 100% renewable plant sugars has recently been developed by Virent, a company based in Madison, WI. The company is working with a polyester producer called FYENC to convert BioFormPX into bio-PET resin. The end result is a bio-based PET product that has excellent characteristics. Further, it is 100% recyclable, a major benefit in today’s environment.
Virent has developed the PX technology to commercial readiness. The company has also improved its process economics. Virent has successfully run a demonstration system to fill orders for customers since 2010. The company now has the capability to produce high-volume amounts of BioFormPX aromatics and paraxylene. Virent has also received several U.S. Department of Commerce grants.
Coca-Cola’s PlantBottle packaging has been successful in filling more than 35 billion bio-based PET bottles worldwide since 2009. The company’s process, which uses natural plant sugars such as bagasse, is able to yield a highly durable, sustainable material. It was initially made from 30% plant-based material. The company’s demonstrations in the 2015 Milan World Expo demonstrated a fully plant-based version that relies on BioFormPX paraxylene.
Sailcloth is a film for tape applications
PET film is the most common material used in laminated sailcloth. PET is an extruded form of polyethylene terephthalate, and is used to create both film and fibre products. Its strength and barrier properties make it suitable for both film and fibre applications. This material is also very resilient and durable, and is available in both crystalline and amorphous forms. However, it is not as flexible as PETAnd is not as strong as Kevlar 29.
The film may be composed of yarns made from natural or synthetic fibers. Natural fibers used for sailcloth include flax, hemp, cotton, and aramid. Artificial fibers such as nylon, polyester, and carbon fibers are also used. Depending on the material, the strands are typically sandwiched between multiple layers of film. This sandwiching process helps to maximize the fibers’ high modulus. The resulting material is then laminated to a continuous polymer film.
Applications of PET in the automotive industry
The European Union has a mandate for 95 percent of vehicle components to be made of recyclable materials. PET is an ideal material for this requirement, as it offers a variety of technical properties and can reduce production costs. Additionally, it requires minimal energy to be transformed. That makes it a green material. And, with the recent influx of vehicles, it will become increasingly popular. PET is also expected to continue to grow in popularity, especially in the automotive industry.
It can be blended with other thermoplastics to create a flexible polyester textile. This versatile material can replace thermosets and die-cast metals, and is used in smart meters, car dashboards, and photovoltaic parts. In the automotive industry, PET is used for wiper arms, engine covers, gear housings, and more. PET is also processed by injection molding, blow molding, and thermoforming.
PET is also used in non-consumer goods, such as textiles. PET is compatible with cotton and is often used to create 3D prototypes. PET is environmentally friendly and has excellent physical properties. PET is safe for food and is resistant to diluted acids and microorganisms. It is even recyclable. It is also durable and is light. PET can also be recycled. If used properly, PET can be completely recycled.
