research and development (recycled PET TO FOAM)


In the 1950’s the consumption of fossil based raw materials rapidly grown along with the use of energy carriers. This attracted the rapid growth of the plastics industry. In 1970 the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has been released and soon began to dominate the market for liquid foods packaging; consumer habits have changed. Due to low production costs, low weight, good optical properties and gas tightness PET has outperformed glass. Due to the widespread use, PET waste will be projected to reach 29 million tonnes a year by 2018. As an effect of its mechanical and chemical properties, its resistance to chemicals and radiations is outstanding. At the same time this results in the natural decomposition of more than 450 years.
During the production of the bottles, the preforms are placed in a stretching blower that warms them in a formable state in seconds. They are stretched longitudinally with a rod, and at the same time air is blown at high pressure, pushing the plastic to the bottle-shaped metal mould wall. After the cooling, the shaping process is carried out. When the bottles are recycled, the chain structure of the PET is broken. The primary goal is to reverse the process, to improve the mechanical and physical properties of the recycled substance. Various natural and synthetic raw materials were examined as to how effective they can be applied as chain extenders.

