In the competitive recycled plastic market, “clean” is not enough. To command a premium price, your flakes must be “ultrapure.” This is why hot washing PET flakes is the non-negotiable heart of a professional PET recycling line.

While cold washing removes surface dirt and sand, it fails to tackle the two biggest enemies of high-end rPET flakes: Residual Glue and Oily Contaminants. Most beverage labels use hot-melt adhesives. Cold water only hardens these glues, keeping them stuck to the flake.

Hot washing, combined with chemical additives, softens and dissolves these adhesives, ensuring the flakes are free from sticky residues that cause yellowing and defects during downstream melting. If you want to sell to the textile or sheet extrusion industries, hot washing tank is your ticket to the premium market.