Biobased PolyEthylene Terephthalate (Bio-PET)

Bio-based Polyethylene Terephthalate (Bio-PET) is a type of thermoplastic polymer produced from renewable resources such as sugarcane molasses or corn starch. The chemical structure of Bio-PET is very similar to traditional PET, with the difference being that in Bio-PET, some or all of its ethylene glycol component is derived from biological sources. This material features a linear chain structure with repeating ethylene terephthalate units, which results in outstanding mechanical and thermal properties.

Features of Bio-based Polyethylene Terephthalate

• High thermal resistance
• Good optical clarity
• Desirable tensile strength and impact resistance
• Recyclable within the existing PET system
• Chemical resistance to oils, fats, and weak solvents
• Dimensional stability over time

Applications of Bio-based Polyethylene Terephthalate

• Food Packaging: Water bottles, carbonated beverage bottles, food containers
• Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Packaging
• Synthetic Fibers: For apparel, carpets, and industrial textiles
• Lightweight Engineering Applications: Such as automotive and electronic components
• Production of Transparent Packaging Films: With high printability

Disadvantages of Bio-based Polyethylene Terephthalate

• Higher production cost compared to traditional PET
• Dependency on agricultural resources for raw material supply
• Not widely available in some markets
• Low biodegradability in the natural environment (similar to conventional PET)
• Requires property enhancements for certain specialized industrial applications

Advantages of Bio-based Polyethylene Terephthalate

• Produced from renewable resources (reducing dependency on fossil fuels)
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions during the production process
• Compatible with traditional PET recycling processes
• Suitable for food contact (approved by the FDA and EFSA)
• Improves brand image for environmentally conscious companies