The clear plastic that bottled water and soda are usually packaged in. It is often abbreviated PETE or PET Mylar and Dacron are trade names for products made with this material.

Synthesis

It can be produced by reacting terepthalic acid or dimethyl terepthalate with excess ethylene glycol, then distilling off the excess ethylene glycol as the reaction progresses.

Applications
  • Plastic Bottles
  • Plastic film packaging material
  • Mylar Baloons
  • Dacron Fabric
Concerns

Most bottled water has a strong plastic odor and plastic smell, especially if it is warm. This indicates that there are at least trace amounts of the plastic or the starting materials for the plastic in the water.