How Are Plastic Cups Manufactured?

Plastic cups are made from polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, a highly durable polyester plastic that resists both hot and cold temperatures and is fairly crack resistant. Through a process known as injection molding, the PET is mixed as a liquid, injected into cup-shaped molds and then cooled and solidified.

PET-based plastic cups have been shown to resist extreme temperatures, and their durability has been tested anywhere between -22 degrees Fahrenheit and 180 degrees Fahrenheit. They are also popular for their product integrity, as they are highly sterile and odor-free, and are proven to maintain the original flavor and aroma of the beverage they contain.

Injection molding begins with the raw plastic material, PET, being poured into a machine called a hopper. This machine is specifically designed to mix this material until it is ready to be injected, a bit at a time, into carefully crafted metallic molds. The molds can be made in any size or shape, depending on the style and specifications of the plastic cups being created. Once the PET has been injected into the molds, it is cooled and ejected into dry storage where it solidifies into its final shape. From here, all that is left is for the cast to be removed from the mold and packaged with other finished products.