Polyethylene terephthalate is one of the most widely used materials in the production of containers and packaging. However, its application is limited by its low barrier properties in relation to oxygen and carbon dioxide. Methods used for the manufacture of containers with improved gas barrier properties are discussed. Polyethylene terephthalate (Lavsan, PET) is a multifunctional thermoelastic polymer of structural and antifriction designation that possesses a valuable set of service properties: high mechanical strength, rigidity, viscosity, and hardness, low thermal expansion, very good resistance to crack formation, low moisture absorption, a low friction coefficient, excellent wear resistance, and good electrical insulation properties and radiation resistance. Lavsan readily lends itself to machiningmilling, turning, drilling, polishing, welding, and end products of Lavsan are noted for good dimensional stability [1-3]. Research into polyethylene terephthalate was begun in 1935 in the United Kingdom by John Whinfield and James Dixon at the company Calico Printers Association Ltd. In 1943, patent applications were submitted and registered on the synthesis of fibre-forming polyethylene terephthalate. In the USSR (in Russia), scientific research in the field of the synthesis of polyethylene terephthalate was begun under the supervision of Academician V.V. Korshak in 1949. Work on industrial technology for the synthesis of polyethylene terephthalate and the production of fibres was done at the All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Artificial Fibres (in Mytishchi) under the supervision of Prof. B.V. Petukhov and Prof. E.M. Aizenshtein, and in 1956, at the same institute, the trial production of Lavsan fibres was begun. On the basis of this work, the industrial production of polyethylene terephthalate and Lavsan fibre was started at the Kursk Chemical Fibre Integrated Works. In 1969-1971, the assembly and start-up of a large-scale plant for the production of polyethylene terephthalate and polyester fibres were carried out at the Mogilev Chemical Fibre Integrated Works (Belorussia) [4, 5]. Bottle-designation, granular PET of grade TVERPET is now being produced by OAO Sibur-PETF (Tver), set up in August 2003, with equipment supplied by the German engineering company Zunner AG. Fibre and film PET is not being produced in Russia at present. This is associated with features of the Russian polyethylene terephthalate market. In contrast to the world market, where 65% of PET is used to produce fibres, and only 27% to produce preforms, in Russia 95% of all PET entering the Russian market is used to manufacture preforms, and only 3% to produce fibres [6]. Polyethylene terephthalate is an excellent material for the production of packaging and bottles for different
