What is APET Sheet and Which Type of PET Resin is Ideal for Its Production?

PET Resin to APET sheet

The production of APET (Amorphous Polyethylene Terephthalate) sheets is a carefully crafted process with several key steps. First, high-quality PET resin is heated until it melts, then it’s extruded into thin sheets. The molten resin is quickly cooled and solidified using cooling rollers or a water bath, creating transparent, uniform sheets. During this process, the thickness of the sheets can be adjusted to meet specific needs. After leveling, the surface smoothness and print compatibility are further refined. Finally, the APET sheets are cut into the desired size, ready for the next stage of production.

In the next phase, APET sheets can be shaped into various forms using thermoforming or compression molding, depending on their final purpose. With their excellent transparency and strength, APET sheets are widely used in industries like food packaging and medical packaging, providing effective protection for contents and extending shelf life. Furthermore, APET sheets can be molded into various shapes like food trays or packaging boxes, offering both versatility and durability.

Advantages of APET Sheets in Various Applications

Print & Graphics

In the Print & Graphics industry, APET sheets are a preferred choice for their superior transparency, print compatibility, and eco-friendly attributes, making them ideal for custom packaging. High-quality PET resin is melted and extruded into thin sheets, then rapidly cooled to form APET sheets with adjustable thickness. These sheets are perfect for printing, offering clear, sharp designs while minimizing material use and simplifying recycling.

APET's excellent printability ensures vibrant and detailed graphics on transparent surfaces, while its lightweight nature reduces packaging costs. Though not commonly used in 3D printing, virgin APET sheets can be modified with recycled materials like rPET for an eco-friendly alternative that supports sustainability.

Medical Industry

In the medical field, APET sheets are crucial for packaging applications, thanks to their transparency, strength, and durability. Processed into thin films via thermoforming or extrusion molding, APET enhances medical packaging by ensuring easy inspection of products while protecting them from damage, moisture, and contamination.

APET is particularly valuable in blister packaging, where it provides secure seals for pills, syringes, and other medical devices. Its chemical resistance and suitability for sterilization further ensure product safety and hygiene. Moreover, APET's lightweight nature reduces transportation costs, and its recyclability supports sustainability in medical packaging. As medical packaging continues to evolve, APET will play an increasingly important role in ensuring safety and environmental responsibility.

Food Packaging

APET sheets are an excellent choice for food packaging due to their exceptional transparency, high mechanical strength, moisture resistance, and ability to create tight seals. These properties make them ideal for packaging fresh and processed foods, snacks, beverages, and ready-to-eat meals. APET sheets offer a versatile, lightweight solution that preserves food freshness while enhancing brand visibility through clear, eye-catching packaging.

As sustainability becomes more important, the food packaging market is expected to grow significantly. APET's recyclability (with over 3 million tons recycled annually) and durability are major advantages, as they help reduce waste and support a circular economy. APET films ensure food safety by protecting against contaminants, while their excellent printability provides aesthetically appealing packaging that meets both consumer and environmental needs.

How to Choose PET Resin for APET Sheet Production

Choosing high-quality PET resin is crucial for producing APET sheets, as it directly affects the final product's quality, performance, and application.

Transparency and gloss are prominent features of high-quality PET resin. The exceptional transparency of high-quality PET resin ensures that the APET sheets have a clear, flawless appearance, which is especially important for food and medical packaging, enhancing consumer trust in the product.

The impact resistance and tensile strength of PET resin are essential for the durability of APET sheets. For example, high-quality APET sheets typically have a tensile strength ranging from 55-70 MPa, while lower-quality PET resin may only achieve a tensile strength of 45-50 MPa. This difference means that high-quality APET sheets provide better protection for the packaged contents and offer superior physical protection.

In addition, the stability of quality is another important consideration when selecting high-quality PET resin. APET sheets produced from high-quality PET resin typically have a defect rate of less than 0.5% during large-scale production, compared to 2%-3% for those made with lower-quality resin. 

Finally, the processing performance and compatibility with equipment are also crucial. The PET resin should have appropriate viscosity characteristics, uniform molecular weight, and good melt flow properties to ensure smooth processing during the production of APET sheets, such as thermoforming and molding. Good processing performance helps improve production efficiency and reduce defect rates during the production process.

Wankai Brand PET Resins WK-821 and WK-901 for APET Sheet Production

Wankai's PET resins, WK-821 and WK-901, are tailored for different needs in APET sheet production, each offering distinct advantages for various applications.

WK-821, with an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of 0.83, is perfect for standard APET sheet production. Its balanced viscosity ensures smooth extrusion and thermoforming, making the production process efficient and consistent. Offering excellent cost-efficiency, WK-821 strikes the right balance between affordability and performance. It also boasts strong mechanical properties, with good impact resistance and tensile strength, providing durable and protective packaging.

WK-901, with a slightly higher IV of 0.87, is designed for premium APET sheet applications. The higher IV enhances its strength and durability, offering superior tensile strength and impact resistance, ideal for robust packaging. WK-901 also delivers exceptional clarity and gloss, resulting in a smoother, shinier surface perfect for high-end packaging needs. Its better processability allows for the creation of thinner, more intricate sheets, enabling advanced design possibilities without compromising on strength.

Conclusion

APET sheets are a sustainable, versatile solution for various industries, offering excellent transparency and recyclability. Ideal for food packaging, medical applications, and print & graphics, APET’s future is bright. Choosing high-quality PET resins like Wankai's WK-821 and WK-901 ensures top-notch performance, making APET the go-to choice for cost-effective, eco-friendly packaging.