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PETE is the most common variation of the thermoplastic polymer resin. The clarity of PET is considered to be the best of all plastics with very good chemical resistance.
PETG stands for polyethylene terephthalate glycol, which is a thermoplastic polyester that provides significant chemical resistance, durability, and excellent formability for manufacturing.
Although these compounds look similar, they are fundamentally different materials on a molecular level. PET is the result of two monomers combining. PETG may involve these same monomers, but also includes glycol, giving it different chemical properties than PET. This means that PETG has better shock resistance and is better suited to higher temperatures.
PET provides great clarity and often a glossy smooth finish, which is excellent for premium packaging - you can achieve some of the premium feel which glass provides, but without the extra weight.
Browse PET productsSustainability is the fundamental difference between these products. Whilst PETG can be said to be “almost unbreakable, affordable and durable”, it actually falls into resin identification code 07 (mixed/other recycling) due to the processing requiring much higher temperatures than standard PET (PETE). This means that although it is recyclable, it is not widely recycled, therefore it is likely to end up at incineration or landfill.
Contrary to this, PET (resin identification code 01) is widely recycled in the UK through household recycling streams.
Browse some of the most popular products from Richmond's range, all made in recyclable PET(E) polymer.