New advances in poly(ethylene terephthalate) polymerization and degradation

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) has wide acceptance for use in direct contact with food, can be recycled and can be depolymerized to its monomer constituents. Advances are continually being made to reduce the environmental `footprint' that the polymer leaves. This paper discusses new advances in three specific areas, ie process developments, catalysis and polymer degradation, that address this issue. (C) 2002 Society of Chemical Industry.