PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polyester widely used in single-use beverage bottles, synthetic fibers (polyester), and packaging. Synthesised from ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid, PET offers excellent mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and thermal stability. Its slow natural degradation rate has led to severe global pollution, driving intense research into enzymatic depolymerization using cutinases, esterases, and specialized PETases.