Recyclable Crystalline PET Shrink Film

CPET Shrink Film

CPET shrink film is a heat-shrinkable plastic film made from Crystalline Polyethylene Terephthalate (CPET) with a melting point of 230°C.

Its key advantages include PET-bottle recycling compatibility, high TD shrinkage, and excellent transparency.

It can shrink up to 74% in the transverse direction at 95°C with a wide processing window.

Common applications include tamper-evident neck bands, pharmaceutical sleeves, beverage bottle labels, and any product requiring full PET-stream recyclability.

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CPET Shrink Film

Technical Specifications

Property Test Method Unit Result
Density ASTM D 1505 g/cm³ 1.32 ± 0.02
Tensile Strength @ MD ASTM D 882 MPa ≥ 45
Tensile Strength @ TD ASTM D 882 MPa ≥ 180
Elongation at Break @ MD ASTM D 882 % ≥ 300
Elongation at Break @ TD ASTM D 882 % ≥ 30
Heat Shrinkage @ MD ASTM D 1204
95°C 10s		 % ≤ 5.0
Heat Shrinkage @ TD ASTM D 1204
95°C 10s		 % 74 ± 2
Friction Coefficient @ Static ASTM D 1894 μs ≤ 0.60
Friction Coefficient @ Dynamic ASTM D 1894 μk ≤ 0.55
Haze ASTM D 1003 % ≤ 7.0
Transmittance ASTM D 1746 % ≥ 90
Gloss (45°) ASTM D 2457 % ≥ 100
Surface Tension ASTM D 2578 mN/m ≥ 38

Product range: thickness 30-60 μm. Melting point: 230°C.

Shrinkage Curve (Temperature vs. Shrinkage %)

OPTIMAL · 95-100°C 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 55 60 70 80 90 100 TEMPERATURE (°C) SHRINKAGE (%) TD · Transverse MD · Machine

Curve represents our typical CPET Shrink Film behavior in a 10-second water bath (ASTM D 1204).

Actual shrinkage depends on film thickness, exposure time, and tunnel conditions — request a batch-specific test report for production planning.

CPET Shrink Film Applications

CPET shrink film is used across pharmaceutical, food and beverage, cosmetics and personal care, and household products industries. Typical applications include tamper-evident neck bands on supplement and medicine bottles, beverage bottle sleeves designed for PET-stream recycling, and any packaging where the label must be recyclable together with the PET container.

Beverage Bottle Sleeves

Beverage Bottle Sleeves

Beverage Bottle Sleeves
Specialty Bottle Sleeves

Specialty Bottle Sleeves

Specialty Bottle Sleeves

Mono-Material Shrink Film: One Polymer, One Recycling Stream

Our CPET shrink film is made of the same polymer family as the PET bottles it decorates — what the packaging industry calls a mono-material solution. Mono-material shrink film means the sleeve and the container share one resin family, so a labeled bottle stays in a single recycling stream instead of needing the label pulled off first. It is the core reason brand owners and sleeve converters specify mono-material film for design-for-recycling programs.

What that means at the sorting line depends on what the sleeve is made of relative to the bottle:

ContainerSleeve filmResin-stream matchDesign-for-recycling result
PET (RIC 1) bottleCPET sleeve (RIC 1)Same PET familyLabeled bottle stays in the PET stream; no sleeve removal needed
PET (RIC 1) bottlePVC (RIC 3) sleeveDifferent resinRecognized PET-stream contaminant; sleeve must be separated
PET (RIC 1) bottlePaper / OPS sleeveDifferent materialRequires separate sorting before PET recycling

Because our CPET grade shares the bottle’s Resin Identification Code 1 and PET’s ~1.32 g/cm³ density band, it does not have to be pulled off before reprocessing. One film — CPET at TD 74 ± 2% shrinkage (ASTM D 1204, 95°C 10s) — covers full-body sleeves on contoured PET bottles while keeping the finished pack mono-material. Supplied as printable rolls, 30–60 μm, 200–2000 mm wide, MOQ 1–3 tons. See our GRS-certified recycled-content RPET film and contoured beverage bottle sleeves.

RIC 1 Recyclable Shrink Sleeve: Same Resin Code as the PET Bottle

Every roll of our CPET film carries Resin Identification Code 1 — the same resin code molded into PET bottles. That is what makes a CPET sleeve a RIC 1 recyclable shrink sleeve: a fully sleeved bottle can be baled, washed, and reprocessed in the standard PET stream with no separate de-sleeving step, supporting bottle-to-bottle circularity.

Resin codeResinOn a PET bottle, the sleeve…
RIC 1 (PET/PETE)PET / CPETMatches the bottle; stays in the PET recycling stream
RIC 3 (PVC)Polyvinyl chlorideRecognized PET-stream contaminant; must be separated out
RIC 7 (Other)Mixed / other polymersSorted out of the PET stream; generally not bottle-to-bottle

Two properties let our film survive PET reprocessing intact: a 230°C melting point that withstands standard PET recycling temperatures, and TD 74 ± 2% shrinkage (ASTM D 1204, 95°C 10s) that seats a full-body sleeve on contoured PET bottles. The result is a decorated bottle whose label and container are recovered together as one RIC 1 material, rather than a mixed-resin pack that has to be optically sorted and discarded. See our recycled-content RPET shrink film and wash-off label film for glass bottles.

Why Choose JFPolyFilm

A premium shrink film supplier is judged on three things: production scale, batch consistency, and global trade reliability. Here's how we deliver on all three.

01

In-House Bruckner Production

Three state-of-the-art Bruckner production lines deliver 18,000+ tons annually, with consistent quality and the scale to fulfill large recurring orders without sub-contracting.

Equipment by Bruckner Maschinenbau · Germany
02

Quality Assured per Batch

Every production batch is tested for shrinkage rate, thickness uniformity, and optical properties before shipment. A Certificate of Analysis (COA) ships with each order, with full lot traceability.

Certified: GRS · REACH · RoHS
03

Global Trade Experience

Exporting to 30+ countries across Americas, Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. We handle international shipping, customs documentation, and Incoterms end-to-end.

20+ years operating

Frequently Asked Questions

How does JFPolyFilm verify the quality of every batch?
We collect samples of at least 5 meters from every production batch and run full property tests — shrinkage rate, thickness uniformity, haze, tensile strength — then issue a Certificate of Analysis (COA) attached to each shipment.
How many splices are in a shrink film roll?
The number of splices is printed on the roll label on the side of each roll. In most cases our CPET Shrink Film rolls have zero splices.
How does JFPolyFilm identify each roll and pallet?
Each roll carries a label on its side identifying batch number, length, width, and production date. Each pallet has a label attached to the outside of the outer thermal insulation cover identifying the SKUs inside.
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
MOQ depends on film grade, thickness, width, and color. Please contact us with your specifications for an exact quote — most standard CPET Shrink Film orders start at 1 ton.
How is the film packed and shipped internationally?
Two packing methods: vertical packing (~20 rolls per pallet) for higher density, or horizontal packing (6 rolls per pallet) for sensitive jobs. Both are wrapped in polyethylene film with protective boards top and bottom to prevent shipping damage. Please contact our sales team for more details and photos.
How should the film be stored?
Store at 10-30°C (50-86°F) in a dry environment. Avoid direct sunlight, moisture, and dust. Recommended shelf life is 12 months in original packaging.
What printing methods are compatible with the film?
Gravure printing, flexographic printing, and UV inkjet printing all work well with our CPET Shrink Film. The film accepts ink directly without corona pre-treatment.
Is the film corona-treated for printing?
No, corona treatment is not required. Our CPET Shrink Film accepts gravure and flexographic ink directly thanks to its inherent surface energy.
Can I request product samples before placing an order?
Yes. We offer A4 sheet samples, 300m short rolls, or 2000m short rolls. Customer covers shipping costs.
Why is CPET recyclable with PET bottles?
CPET (Crystalline PET) has the same chemical composition as PET bottles and a degree of crystallinity that allows it to survive the PET recycling process. The sleeve label can be recycled together with the bottle without contaminating the PET recycling stream.
What is the melting point of CPET shrink film?
230°C. This high melting point gives CPET excellent thermal stability through standard PET-bottle recycling processes that operate at lower temperatures, ensuring the label material is recovered alongside the bottle.
What's the recommended shrink tunnel temperature?
Best results are achieved between 95-100°C. Options: boiling water bath (90-100°C), hot air tunnel (95-110°C surface), or steam shrink tunnel (90-100°C). The wider processing window compared to standard PETG makes CPET forgiving in high-speed production lines.

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