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Home / Co-creation Team / News-admin / Mr. Lv / What Are Plastic Flakes? Types, Uses & PET Flake Grades in Recycling Explained
2025-05-24

What Are Plastic Flakes? Types, Uses & PET Flake Grades in Recycling Explained

Plastic Flakes are small, flat pieces of material formed by shredding and washing waste plastics such as bottles and containers during the recycling process. They serve as a core raw material for producing recycled plastics and are widely used in industries such as packaging, textiles, and construction.

This article will cover the definition of plastic flakes, their types, the classification of PET flakes by grade, and the differences between flakes and pellets — helping you gain a deeper understanding of the plastic recycling value chain.

 

What is Plastic Flakes

Plastic flakes, also known as shredded or crushed material, are small, irregularly shaped plastic pieces produced by cutting or grinding larger plastic items such as bottles, containers, and packaging materials during the recycling process.

These flakes serve as a key intermediate raw material for manufacturing new plastic products. Through melting and reprocessing, they can be turned into recycled plastic pellets. This recycling method significantly reduces reliance on virgin plastics and helps conserve both resources and energy.

What Are PET Flakes?

PET flakes, also known as rPET flakes, are materials obtained by shredding recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) products. They are commonly sourced from water bottles, carbonated drink containers, and various types of food packaging.

Types of Plastic Flakes

Based on the level of cleaning and purity requirements, plastic flakes are generally categorized into the following three types:

Hot-Washed Flakes

Hot-washed flakes are produced through an intensive cleaning process that uses hot water and detergents to thoroughly remove labels, adhesives, and other contaminants from the plastic. This method ensures a high-purity output, making the flakes suitable for applications where cleanliness is critical—such as the production of food-grade containers or other products requiring high-quality standards.

Applications of Hot-Washed Flakes:

  • Manufacturing new food and beverage containers (e.g., water bottles)

  • Producing high-quality textiles such as polyester fibers for clothing and carpets

  • Manufacturing medical or sanitary products that require strict cleanliness standards

Cold-Washed Flakes

Compared to hot-washed flakes, cold-washed flakes undergo a lighter cleaning process using cold water to remove surface contaminants. While the level of cleanliness is lower, cold-washed flakes are still suitable for a variety of industrial applications, especially where lower purity is acceptable.

Applications of Cold-Washed Flakes:

  • Textile production

  • Non-food containers

  • Industrial plastic products

Why Is Understanding PET Flake Grades So Important?

Different grades of PET flakes correspond to different safety, quality, and regulatory standards. Selecting the appropriate grade ensures not only the performance and compliance of the final product, but also contributes positively to sustainability goals.

Tip:

With global sustainability trends driving increased demand for high-quality PET flakes, understanding the distinctions between grades can significantly enhance your competitive edge in the market.

Difference Between Flakes and Pellets

In the recycling and processing of plastic materials, flakes and pellets are two common physical forms widely used across various industries. These forms differ significantly in terms of production methods, applications, and end uses.

 

 

Feature Flakes Pellets
Shape Irregular pieces around 12mm in size Uniform small pellets or cylindrical granules
Thickness Thin and often uneven Consistent and uniform in size and shape
Production Method Produced via a plastic washing line Produced using a pelletizing machine

 

Flakes are commonly used in the early stages of recycling, suitable for remelting.

Pellets, on the other hand, are ideal for final manufacturing processes such as injection molding and are easier to transport and store.

 
 

 

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