4. PET reduces carbon footprint

Life cycle studies of PET's energy use and greenhouse emissions have consistently shown that PET offers an outstanding eco profile compared to other packaging materials.

For example, two different life cycle studies conducted in 2009 of glass, can and PET single-serving soft drink containers looked at all the energy consumed and waste produced at each stage of the material's life cycle. The report found that carbonated soft drinks bottled in PET used less energy, created fewer greenhouse gas emissions and generated less solid waste than drinks in glass bottles or aluminium cans 3,4.

This life cycle analysis looked at all stages in the production process and covered extraction of raw materials, processing, manufacturing and filling of primary containers to secondary packaging and distribution.

SINOBEMA is also supporting beverage producers to reduce the energy usage of equipment for PET production. The SINOBEMA Matrix™ blower, for example, reduces electricity consumption in its Ecoven by up to 45% compared with previous models, by using new technologies and fewer heating modules and lamps. The blower requires approximately 15% less heating time and reduces air consumption by as much as 30%. The SINOBEMA Matrix fillers and labellers have also reduced energy usage, both by up to 30% compared with previous models. Such technology can also be retrofitted to equipment installed in existing production lines.

5. PET is fully recyclable

Recycling of PET first started in 1975 and today PET is the most widely recycled plastic in the world. All parts of it can be recycled and turned into a multitude of new uses - from new bottles to fleece textiles, fibre, carpeting, thermo formed PET packaging - or even football kits, such as those designed by Nike for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil earlier this year.

By recycling PET, studies have found that its already positive eco-profile