PET – polymer material (polyethyleneterftalat) – created in England in 1941. Materials based on this polymer in the 60s of the XX in. began to be used in the field of packaging of goods. Active use of PET originates in the 70s of the last century. Then polyethyleneterftalate in industry began the gradual displacement of the metal.
This brief historical certificate cannot fully characterize the entire scale of the advantages that the English chemists have discovered to humanity, showing the world such a wonderful product as a polyester tape for packaging. Such a tape is used in industry for packaging, strapping of cargo and high gravity. And in the packaging market, this product has a stable growth trend. The main consumers of the polyester tape are two industries – woodworking (the production of lumber – boards, beams, fiberboard, chipboard, plywood) and construction (brick production, building blocks, ceramic and paving slabs, glass, etc. D.). Compared to a traditional metal ribbon for packaging materials and goods, the PET-Lent has a number of undoubted advantages.
– High degree of strength. According to this parameter, the PET-Lent is not inferior to a steel tape, withstands no less load on the gap.
– High temperatures resistance. Heat resistance reaches a level of +90ºС, and frost resistance -up to -60 ºС. This allows you to use a packaging tape throughout Russia. In addition, the tape is insensitive to harmful ultraviolet exposure. The main competitor – polypropylene tape – does not have such properties, which makes it impossible to use it at high temperatures and direct exposure to sunlight.
– Physical impact resistance. The polyester tape from sharp blows of deformation is not subject to. Due to its elastic extensibility (elastic elongation of the tape can be 8-12%), it has reverse deformation, therefore, with a physical decrease in the volume of the cargo, the PET-Lent retains the strength of the fasteners. This is especially true when there is a risk of falling or shaking when transporting goods.
– Chemical stability. Unlike the metal tape, polyester does not oxidize, which means that the spots of rust do not appear on the surface of the packed material.
– Trauma security, safety for cargo. Polyester packaging tape does not have sharp edges, like a metal tape.
– Unlike metal, polyester is several times easier. This means convenience in transportation.
– Economy. On average, a packaging tape made of polyester is 3 times cheaper than a metal packaging tape. And this favorably distinguishes polyester, especially with large volumes of production.
– Simplicity in disposal. PET can be used for secondary processing, energy costs will be minimal.
Given all the positive qualities of the polyester tape, the conclusion suggests itself that this material is ideal for packaging. But the use of this material is currently minimal.
Why this happens? A number of grounds can be indicated.
The first – the need for a packaging polyeter is much higher than the production of such a material. In 2009, the proposal deficit was about 20%. Based on the development of the packaging market, the predicted increase in demand for polyester tape in 2010-2011. G. is 25% per year. If in 2009. the volume of consumption is estimated at 15.6 thousand. tons, then by 2011. It is expected at 23.4 thousand. tons. Whereas the launch of new production capacities for the production of polyester tape does not exceed 10% annually.
Second – information vacuum. The positive properties of polyester, unfortunately, are not illuminated in the corresponding circles properly. Many enterprises still continue to trust the metal more. Outdated technologies still have sufficient use for this reason.
The third reason is the imperfection of legislation, regulations, standards. For example, during railway transportation, regulatory acts regulating this process directly indicate packaging with a metal tape.
Another reason why the PET-Lent has no proper distribution in the territory of the state is the features of packaging. To connect the metal tape, the lock connection is mainly used. The PET-tone, in turn, is subject to combining both mechanically and heat cooker, which is applicable only with a recommended air temperature of at least +5 ºС. But the formation of trucks of products is not always possible subject to such conditions. The exception is packaging in special automatic machines, but their cost is very high and not every enterprise is ready for such financial expenses.
When eliminating these reasons, it can be hoped that the volumes of production and consumption of PET tapes will grow several times.