Polyethylene terephthalate (commonly referred to as PET or polyester) is the common chemical name for the polymer used to make polyester fibers, PET packaging resins, and oriented PET (OPET) films. The sum total of the various forms of polyester fibers (staple, textile filament, industrial filament, etc.) accounts for roughly 65% of the global polyester market; PET packaging resins account for 30%, and the remainder consists of OPET films and other end uses. The growth rates of the three major segments are very similar, and these shares are not projected to change significantly over the next several years. Beyond that, growth in the packaging resins sector, including films, will likely be slow to below the growth rate of fibers. Fibers will see an increase in share, but not at a rapid rate.
