PET or polyethylene terephthalate, is the material of choice for a growing number of  bottlers. In many respects, PET is one of the miracle packaging materials of the last century. Its versatility is astounding. New uses are developed year after year, creating economies or other benefits in countless applications. But increased utility has led to one big challenge: how do we cope with PET’s success? Here is a brief summary of the PET story so far …

• PET is manufactured from oil-based raw materials and is 100% recyclable. The synthesis of polyesters was first explored intensively in 1929-1931.
• Polyester (PET) was first developed in the laboratory by a small English company, Calico Printers Association in 1941.
• Polyester came into use as a fibre for clothes and textiles in the 1950s through developments by Du Pont and ICI (Terylene).
• In the 1960s and 1970s, polyesters were first used in film wrapping, sheet, coating and bottle applications.
• The PET bottle was first patented in 1973 by chemist Nathaniel Wyeth.
• The first PET bottle was recycled in 1977.
• In the US, there are 9 400 curb side collection programmes and 10 000 drop-off sites.
• In South Africa, Gauteng generates the most PET post-consumer product at 55% of the national total, followed by the Western Cape with 13%.
• KwaZulu Natal accounts for 10% of PET waste.
• Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga account for 5% each.
• North West and Free State each generate 4% of SA’s post-consumer PET product.
• Limpopo and Northern Cape create the smallest PET post-consumer product at 3% and 1% respectively.