The largest application for PTA is in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for the polyester industry to produce PET-bottles, textiles, film and moulded product applications. PET, the most common polyester, has many advantages, including clarity, beneficial electrical properties as well as resistance to chemicals and weathering. Here are some of the applications:
PET has become the primary raw material for soft drink and water bottles.
Lightweight soft drink containers based on PTA are crystal clear and shatterproof.
PET film, sheet and moulded containers for food packaging continue to grow in popularity. Boil-in-the-bag pouches (e.g. for rice), consist of polyester films. Cooking utensils and packaging, suitable for the microwave, as well as packaging for fresh and prepared food are often based on PTA.
Fibres command the bulk of today's polyester market. Polyester is the mainstay of easy-care blend fabrics either mixed with cotton or wool or with other natural and synthetic fabrics. Polyester fibres, based on PTA, offer economy, comfortable fashion and crease resistance in all types of clothing and fabrics for home furnishings.
PET monofilament is popular in sewing thread, conveyor belts and meshing. Other PET fibres provide high strength, durability and resistance to environmental degradation in tyre cord, fire hosing and other demanding applications. PTA-based aramid fibres, for example, have a strength to weight ratio of up to five times greater than steel. Aramids are also the basis for soft body armour, safety clothing and industrial cable. Composites reinforced with aramid fibres provide toughness and light weight for sporting goods, boat hulls and aerospace parts.
PET is being used for a multitude of films, labels and other sheet material are typical polyester applications. PTA helps provide outstanding dimensional stability, adaptable surface and good resistance properties to meet the demands of these applications. PET is also used in a variety of wrapping and strapping tapes.
The high purity of our PTA helps assure reliable performance of polymers in insulating applications. PTA-based polyester and polyamide (nylon), electrical insulating tapes and films as well as varnishes for magnet wire offer chemical, electrical and thermal resistance.
Polyester powder coatings offer the environmental advantages of solvent-free coatings along with excellent flexibility, adhesion, and impact resistance. They also show outstanding gloss and weather resistance for applications such as lawn furniture, outdoor equipment, and automotive parts.
Reinforced with glass or other fibres, resins based on PTA provide mechanical, thermal and electrical properties for automotive parts and electrical appliance housings.
PTA is used to manufacture light-coloured adhesives to bond metal, wood, paper and synthetics. Specific uses for these high-strength, solvent-free adhesives include shoe fabrication, lamination and automotive sub-assembly.
