Since the beginning of the nineties, PET has developed steadily to a production of more then one million tons in 1998 to be more than 3 million in 2005 and grow further the next few years. In many applications such as fibres, films, bottles and straps PET has become a proven alternative to other materials.

Following the packaging Directive, PET Recycling has also developed: recyclates today are used in the traditional virgin markets both in food as well as non-food applications. Production volumes of RPET have grown annually well over 25% sinces 1993. Well over 600.000 tons of bottles were processed in 2005. Targets to recycle more than 1000.000 tons PET bottles are potentials for 2010.

Nevertheless, market development opportunities are now more difficult to realise as reliable data needs to be as actual as possible. Therefore further collaboration is needed within the EU to structure this development. WG PET develops contacts at EU level in order to discuss the EU situation (collection & statistics, production & technology, quality & applications).