Plastics 101
An Overview of HDPE, PET and Polypropylene Packaging
Pioneers in plastics technology
Need help determining what type of plastic solution is best for your brand? Let us help.
Below, you'll find an overview of some of our most common materials, when they are most often used and their benefits. If you have specific questions on which option is best for your product, please contact one of our experts for help.
Explore Common Plastic Types
Choose the right plastic for your product packaging with help from our experts. We offer plastic packaging solutions for a range of markets, including food, beverage, automotive and home care. Explore the three most common types of plastic, as well as our sustainable options, to see which will bring your product the greatest benefits over its life cycle.
PET Packaging: Clear and Lightweight
The main reason to use PET is for its clarity. PET containers are light, damage resistant and easily shapeable, and greatly resemble glass in appearance. Graham's 2-step process to make PET containers creates more defined neck threads with less variation (i.e. better quality) when compared to extrusion blow molded HDPE/PP containers. PET containers are popular for packaging single-serve beverages, salad dressings, cooking oil, peanut butter, and more. PET is a sustainable option since it is widely recyclable, making it appealing to image conscious sellers and buyers alike.
HDPE Packaging: Economic and Reliable
HDPE is a Type 2 plastic commonly used in making containers for milk, motor oil, detergents, bleaches and more. This material provides a good moisture barrier, making it a great option for moisture-sensitive powder products. Additionally, Graham's multi-layer HDPE and PP packages with EVOH oxygen barrier have better oxygen barrier than PET by itself. The addition of color makes HDPE opaque, but not glossy. HDPE is highly recyclable. We recycle HDPE bottles at our Graham Recycling Company. The PCR created at the center is used in bottles created at our plant locations.
Polypropylene Packaging: Rigid and Clear
PP is often used to make hot-fill juice and tea bottles, as well as retorted packaging for baby formula and adult nutrition products. PP is recyclable, but does not have a widely available recycle stream and instead often gets recycled with HDPE, depending on local regulations.