What is RPET

rPET is an acronym used for recycled polyethylene teraphalate (PET). PET is the world’s fourth most common plastic resin and is used extensively in the manufacture of plastic bottles, thus offering a readily available and useable feedstock.  The bottles are collected, washed, chopped into flakes and melted into a resin.  The resin is extruded into fibres which is then spun into rPET yarn.  At Resource Link Coatings, we weave the yarn into our various basecloths, to which we can apply various finishers and coatings for our Sustainable range of RPET textiles.  We offer our rPET textiles for the home décor and soft signage markets.

Research shows the energy used to create rPET fabric is about 85% less when compared to virgin polyester.  This results in around 65% fewer emissions and 90% less water required to manufacture. By utilising existing PET waste, job opportunities are created for informal traders as well as ensuring these bottles don’t end up in landfills.

What is the Process

The PET bottles are taken to a processing plant, where they are washed, chopped into flakes, melted down into small pellets and then extruded to produce rPET yarn.  This yarn is delivered to Resource Link’s weaving plant, where the yarn is weaved into our various base cloths.  These base cloths are sent for further processing, where they undergo various treatments to ensure our highest quality standards are maintained.  The treated fabrics are then delivered to customers on a roll.