How Are Plastic Bottles Made?

How Are Plastic Bottles Made?

Whats on this page?

Plastic Bottle Manufacturing

Plastic bottles, especially those made from PET, are produced through a process called blow moulding. The overall process can be broken down into several steps:

Raw Material Preparation

  1. The process starts with PET resin (small plastic pellets or granules).
  2. The pellets are melted into a viscous liquid by heating them to a high temperature.

Injection Moulding (Preform Stage)

  1. The melted PET is then injected into a mould to form a preform. This is a test-tube-shaped piece of plastic with the neck and screw threads of the final bottle already moulded.
  2. The performance is cooled and solidified before moving on to the next stage. At this point, it looks like a small, thick plastic tube.

Blow Moulding

  1. The preform is heated again to soften it, making it ready for stretching and shaping.
  2. The preform is placed inside a blow mould that defines the final shape of the bottle.
  3. Compressed air is blown into the preform, causing it to expand and take the shape of the mould. The preform stretches both vertically and horizontally, forming the bottle.
  4. The mould is cooled so that the bottle solidifies quickly into its final shape.

Trimming and Finishing

  1. After blow moulding, excess plastic from the bottle’s neck or base is trimmed off.
  2. The bottles are then inspected for defects like cracks or uneven walls.

Labelling and Packaging

  1. Once formed and cooled, the bottles are labelled, capped, and packaged for transportation to bottling plants or directly to consumers.

Types of Blow Moulding

Extrusion Blow Moulding: This process involves extruding a tube of molten plastic into the mould, then blowing air into it.

Injection Blow Moulding (IBM): Uses injection moulding to create the preform, which is then blown into its final shape. This is the most common method for PET bottles.

Stretch Blow Moulding (SBM): A variation of IBM, used for PET bottles, where the preform is stretched vertically and horizontally during blow moulding, increasing the bottle’s strength.

This entire process is efficient, cost-effective, and produces lightweight, durable plastic bottles suitable for a wide range of products.

How Are Plastic Bottles Disposed Of?

Plastic bottles made from PET are recyclable with the help of our team. We collect a range of PET products from businesses nationwide, allowing them to safely dispose of materials. Get in touch today to book a collection for your plastic waste, and ensure these recycled materials are reintroduced back into the market.

Related Post
Popular posts

What Country Has The Most Litter? Litter is a global environmental issue and one of the most pressing environmental problems

What Is A PET Bottle PET stands for Polyethylene terephthalate, a type of plastic that is used to make plastic

What Is A Sustainable Product & The Benefits A sustainable product is a product that uses resources in an efficient

Book a Collection Today!

Contact us today to recycle more plastic waste for your business.

Plastic Recycling Collected

ENQUIRE NOW

Fill out the form below to receive a quote. We will get back to you shortly.
Contact Information
Waste Information