Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a polymer which is enjoying substantial growth as a packaging material - across global markets and for diverse applications. The growth of PET into packaging, as a replacement for glass, metal and other plastics materials, has been extraordinary. No other rigid plastics packaging sector has experienced the level of growth of PET bottles over the last 20 years. PET is now a commodity polymer competing directly with polyethylene, polypropylene and styrenics in the markets for food and beverage packaging, as well as for other products.

This book provides a one-stop source of reference for all aspects of this important sector of the packaging industry.

To our knowledge, no similar book is presently available. Environmental and recycling considerations are addressed in a special chapter. Chapter authors have been drawn from the packaging industry or sources close to the packaging industry.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is now a major commodity plastic for packaging. Continued growth is predicted in the PET market which, with the commercialization of novel barrier materials and the technologies to produce them, will extend into new areas of food, beverages, personal care products and cosmetics.