Materials & compliance
What is the difference between PET and PVC sheet?
Short answer
PET (polyethylene terephthalate, resin code 1) and PVC (polyvinyl chloride, resin code 3) are both clear, rigid sheets used for thermoforming, blisters, boxes and cards. PET is the more widely recycled and is the usual choice for food packs; PVC forms and seals easily and is long established in pharma blisters, cards and print. AVI extrudes both: APET 200–1,200 microns and PVC grades from 100 to 800 microns.
Part of the guide: PVC, blister and specialty films guide
- APET thickness200–1,200 microns
- PVC thickness100–800 microns, by grade
- Resin codesPET 1, PVC 3
AVI's PET and PVC sheet
- PET Sheet Manufacturer — APET, rPET, PETG & MorePET sheet manufacturer in India: APET, rPET (30–100% recycled), PETG, GAGPET, ESD and laminated PET sheets and rolls...
- PVC Film Manufacturer — AVI Blis, Form, Print, Box, Lam & Card6 PVC film grades from AVI Global Plast — AVI Blis, Box, Form, Lam, Print and Card — 10,000 TPA capacity for pharma,...
- AVI Card Films for Card Printing & LaminationPremium PVC core films for card printing. Ideal for ID cards, loyalty cards, and custom printed plastic cards.
- AVI Print PVC Films for Printing & GraphicsPremium high-quality printing with AVI Print. Custom printing services for printed packaging solutions with superior clarity.
Compared
| PET | PVC | |
|---|---|---|
| Resin code | 1 | 3 |
| Recycling | Widely recycled | Limited |
| Typical uses | Food punnets, trays, clamshells, boxes | Pharma blisters, cards, print, boxes |
| Recycled-content grades | rPET, 30–100% at AVI | Not offered as recycled grades |
| AVI grades | APET, PETG, GAG PET, rPET, ESD | AVI Blis, Box, Form, Lam, Print, Card |
How to choose
- Food and fresh produce: PET or rPET; recycling and plastic-tax rules favour it.
- Medicines: keep the film your registration names; changing it needs revalidation.
- Cards, print and boxes: both work; PVC prints and laminates easily, PET suits a PVC-free brief.
Related questions
Which is better for ID and plastic cards?
PVC is the traditional card material and laminates well; PET and PETG cards are chosen for heat resistance or a PVC-free brief. AVI's AVI Card grade is made for cards.
Can PVC be used for food packaging?
Rigid PVC is used for some food packs, but many retailers and plastics-pact commitments in Europe are moving food packaging to PET, which is easier to recycle.