同牌号PCTG副牌透光率常在九成上下浮动一两个点、热变形温度相差不到5℃，分子骨架和正牌没换。
近四成高透明盘子，被一家美国厂攥着
先给你一个数：全球非晶共聚酯这块高透明的盘子，美国伊士曼一家就占了近四成。你手里那个耐摔、可进洗碗机、没有BPA的水杯，材料大概率跟Tritan脱不开关系。
但正牌Tritan贵，贵到很多做透明容器、透明包装的厂，只能拿PET硬顶——PET一遇热水就软，做热饮杯、婴儿餐具根本顶不住。中间这道缝，就是PCTG副牌的位置。这篇讲清楚。
PCTG是什么：把PET的结晶“掐灭”
PCTG，学名聚对苯二甲酸环己烷二甲醇酯，是一种非晶性共聚酯。说人话：它和PET是亲戚，但分子里多加了CHDM（环己烷二甲醇），把结晶给掐灭了，于是变得又透又韧，还耐化学、耐热水、可消毒。高端那一档，伊士曼的Tritan还用了TMCBD（四甲基环丁二醇），耐热更上一层，完全无BPA。
它能干啥？透明水杯、婴儿餐具、食品容器、化妆品包材、透明医疗器械——凡是要“透、韧、耐热、没BPA”的地方，都有它。
全球做这东西的，国外就三家扛大梁：美国伊士曼（Eastman）的Tritan™和Eastar™是龙头，中国区份额近四成；韩国SK化学的SKYGREEN®和ECOZEN™排第二，两成出头；意大利的Selenis（M&G继承体系）做Selekt™系列跟在后面。国产材料还在追。我们按梯队讲。
副牌通识：盯住透光、黄度、IV值这三项
PCTG副牌，还是那套逻辑。同一厂家同一牌号聚合，出厂检验透光率、色相、或者粘度某一项没完全踩线，就是副牌。来路四条：开停车头尾料、换牌号过渡料、工艺波动批次、副线尾料。
它还是原厂原生粒子，非晶结构跟正牌一致，只是某项指标小幅飘。和回收PCTG不是一回事——回收料经过一次热历史，粘度掉、黄度升，做透明件直接发雾发黄。边界表照旧：
| 类型 | 来源 | 品质 | 典型用途 |
|---|
| 正牌 | 原厂达标批次 | 全指标达标、批次稳定 | 高要求件、认证件 |
| 副牌 | 原厂未达标批次 | 个别指标小幅偏离，基材与正牌一致 | 一般件、配色件、内件 |
| 回料/水口料 | 加工边角料再造粒 | 已受过一次热历史 | 低要求制品 |
| 再生料 | 废旧塑料回收造粒 | 性能波动大 | 低端制品、填充 |
PCTG副牌盯三件事：透光率、黄度指数、粘度（IV值）。这三项决定你吹出来的容器透不透、黄不黄、壁厚匀不匀。
伊士曼Eastman：Tritan就是它家的
第一家，美国伊士曼（Eastman）。PCTG高端的代名词就是它家Tritan™，TX1001、TX1800、EX401、EX501这些牌号，做母婴餐具、运动水杯的厂闭着眼都认识。Eastar™则是性价比通用级。
伊士曼的强项是无BPA认证全、耐热高、耐洗碗机反复消毒。副牌料过来，一般是透光率或黄度小幅飘，但分子骨架是原厂的。做对透明要求没到母婴级的普通透明容器、日用品，伊士曼副牌是稳妥选择。
SK化学：性价比和生物基那一档
第二家，韩国SK化学（SK Chemicals）。它家的SKYGREEN®是老牌透明共聚酯，ECOZEN™则是加了生物基、可耐100℃沸水、可进洗碗机的新一代。做厨房小电器、水杯、保鲜盒的厂用得多。
SK化学的优势是性价比和生物基概念，批次稳定。副牌料适合做对耐热要求中等的透明包装、化妆品容器。挑它的副牌，重点看透光和耐热是不是对得上你的消毒工艺。
Selenis：通用片材包装的性价比之选
第三家，意大利Selenis。这家是原来M&G共聚酯体系的继承者，做Selekt™系列非晶共聚酯，在包装和片材方向有一席之地。
它的特点是通用级性价比，做热成型片、透明包装容器很对路。副牌料适合做不直接接触高温的透明包装、展示盒。选它副牌，粘度和成型窗口要试好。
避坑：母婴热饮件别省，普通件副牌够用
PCTG副牌怎么挑？第一，先认用途等级。母婴、热饮、可消毒的，别省那点钱；普通常温透明件，副牌够用。
第二，盯透光率和黄度。透明件发雾发黄，客户一眼就看出来。第三，测IV值。粘度不对，吹瓶壁厚不均，注塑充模也出问题。
第四，认厂。伊士曼、SK化学、Selenis这三家的副牌是原厂料，别碰来路不清的“共聚酯平替”。第五，包装只问大包装、小包装。大包装上量产吹瓶注塑，小包装打样。
科隆仓库现货｜PCTG囤货
主推品牌：伊士曼、SK化学、Selenis
主要牌号：Tritan/Eastar系列、SKYGREEN/ECOZEN系列、Selekt系列
包装规格：大包装/小包装均有备货
仓库现货通常在5000吨左右
小包副牌备货800-1000吨、箱装副牌备货300-500吨、大包料/吨包料备货3500-3900吨
供应保障：先测后签
选型口诀 + 一个西安透明容器厂的案子
口诀：
1. 要无BPA、耐热、可消毒——伊士曼Tritan；
2. 要性价比、生物基——SK化学SKYGREEN/Ecozen；
3. 要通用透明片材包装——Selenis；
4. 进厂先测透光率、黄度、IV值；
5. 母婴热饮件——用正标，别省；
6. 普通透明容器——副牌够用；
7. 量产选大包装，打样选小包装。
西安有家做透明食品容器的客户，之前为了压成本，透明保鲜盒拿普通PET硬顶，结果微波一加热就变形收缩，退货率到了9%。后来换成伊士曼同牌号副牌，透光率和黄度进厂先测后签，微波不变形、透明度一次做干净，退货率降到0.4%，良率回到九成六。
材料一吨贵了千把块，一年售后省下来的钱翻了好几番。这就是选型的价值——透明耐热这关，省错地方就是在赔售后。宁波市科隆新材料有限公司常年做进口大厂副牌，包装、透明容器方向的案子经手不少，说白了就是帮你把“透不透、热不变不变”这件事，量产之前试到位。
The light transmittance of the secondary grade of PCTG with the same grade usually fluctuates around 90% by one or two points, the heat distortion temperature differs by less than 5°C, and the molecular backbone has not been changed compared to the primary grade.
Nearly 40% of high-transparent plates are controlled by a single American factory
Let me give you a number first: in the global market for high-transparency amorphous copolyesters, the American company Eastman alone accounts for nearly 40%. The water cup you have, which is drop-resistant, dishwasher-safe, and BPA-free, is most likely made from Tritan.
But genuine Tritan is expensive, so expensive that many manufacturers making transparent containers and packaging can only use PET hard tops—PET softens when exposed to hot water, making it completely unsuitable for hot drink cups and baby tableware. The seam in the middle marks the position of PCTG, the alternative brand. This article explains it clearly.
What is PCTG: 'Extinguishing' the crystallization of PET
PCTG, scientifically known as polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate, is an amorphous copolyester. In simple terms: it is related to PET, but with extra CHDM (cyclohexanedimethanol) in its molecules, which prevents crystallization. As a result, it becomes both clear and tough, resistant to chemicals and hot water, and can be sterilized. At the high-end level, Eastman’s Tritan also uses TMCBD (tetramethyl cyclobutanediol), which increases heat resistance even further and is completely BPA-free.
What can it do? Transparent water cups, baby tableware, food containers, cosmetic packaging, transparent medical devices — wherever 'transparent, tough, heat-resistant, and BPA-free' is needed, it is used.
Globally, there are only three major companies making this product overseas: Eastman in the United States leads with Tritan™ and Eastar™, holding nearly 40% of the Chinese market; SK Chemicals in South Korea comes second with SKYGREEN® and ECOZEN™, accounting for just over 20%; Italy's Selenis (inherited from the M&G system) produces the Selekt™ series and is behind. Domestic materials are still catching up. We can discuss them by tiers.
Sideboard Awareness: Focus on translucency, yellowness, and IV value
PCTG secondary brand, the logic is still the same. The same manufacturer, the same grade polymer, if the factory inspection of light transmittance, color tone, or viscosity doesn’t fully meet the standard in any one item, it is considered a secondary brand. There are four sources: scrap material from the start and end of production, transitional material from switching grades, batches with process fluctuations, and off-line leftover material.
It is still the original factory-native particles, with an amorphous structure consistent with the genuine brand, only that a certain index slightly fluctuates. It is not the same as recycled PCTG — recycled material goes through a thermal history, causing viscosity to drop and yellowness to rise, resulting in cloudiness and yellowing when making transparent parts. The boundary surface remains as usual:
| Type | Source | Quality | Typical uses |
|---|
| Genuine brand | Original factory standard batch | All indicators meet the standards, batch stability | High-requirement parts, certified parts |
| Side deck | Original factory substandard batch | Individual indicators slightly deviate, base material is consistent with the genuine brand | General parts, color-matched parts, interior parts |
| Recycled material / Sprue material | Processing scrap material into pellets | Has undergone one heat history | low-specification product |
| Recycled material | Recycled Plastic Pelletizing | Performance fluctuates greatly | Low-end products, fillers |
PCTG secondary brands focus on three things: light transmittance, yellowness index, and viscosity (IV value). These three factors determine whether the container you blow is transparent or not, yellow or not, and whether the wall thickness is uniform.
Eastman: Tritan is their brand
The first one is Eastman from the United States. The synonym for high-end PCTG is its Tritan™, with grades like TX1001, TX1800, EX401, and EX501, which manufacturers making baby and tableware or sports water bottles know even with their eyes closed. Eastar™ is the cost-effective general-purpose grade.
Eastman's strengths are that it is fully BPA-free certified, highly heat-resistant, and can withstand repeated dishwasher sterilization. The secondary brand materials generally have slight variations in light transmittance or yellowness, but the molecular framework is from the original manufacturer. For ordinary transparent containers and daily necessities that do not require mother-and-baby level transparency, Eastman's secondary brand is a reliable choice.
SK Chemicals: The Tier of Cost-Performance and Bio-Based
The second is South Korea's SK Chemicals. Their SKYGREEN® is a long-established transparent copolyester, while ECOZEN™ is a new generation with added bio-based content, capable of withstanding 100°C boiling water and dishwasher safe. It is widely used by manufacturers of small kitchen appliances, water cups, and storage boxes.
The advantage of SK Chemicals lies in cost-effectiveness and the bio-based concept, with batch stability. The secondary grade materials are suitable for transparent packaging and cosmetic containers with moderate heat resistance requirements. When selecting their secondary grade, the key is to check whether light transmission and heat resistance match your sterilization process.
Selenis: A Cost-Effective Choice for General Sheet Packaging
The third one is Italy's Selenis. This company is the successor of the original M&G polyester copolymer system, producing the Selekt™ series of amorphous copolyesters, and has a presence in the packaging and sheet directions.
Its feature is general-purpose cost-effectiveness, making it very suitable for thermoformed sheets and transparent packaging containers. The secondary brand material is suitable for transparent packaging and display boxes that do not directly contact high temperatures. When choosing its secondary brand, the viscosity and forming window need to be tested well.
Avoid pitfalls: Don't skimp on maternal and baby hot drinks, ordinary brands are enough for regular items
How to choose a secondary brand of PCTG? First, identify the usage grade. For maternal and infant use, hot drinks, or items that can be sterilized, don't save that bit of money; for ordinary room temperature transparent items, a secondary brand is sufficient.
Second, monitor light transmittance and yellowness. If transparent parts become foggy or yellow, customers will notice immediately. Third, measure the IV value. If the viscosity is incorrect, it will cause uneven bottle wall thickness during blowing and problems in injection molding filling.
Fourth, choose a recognized manufacturer. The sub-brands of Eastman, SK Chemicals, and Selenis use original materials, so avoid unclear 'polyester alternatives.' Fifth, for packaging, only consider large and small packages. Large packages are for mass production of blow-molded and injection-molded products, while small packages are for samples.
Cologne Warehouse In Stock｜PCTG Stockpiling
Main recommended brands: Eastman, SK Chemicals, Selenis
Main Grades: Tritan/Eastar Series, SKYGREEN/ECOZEN Series, Selekt Series
Packaging specifications: Both large and small packages are available in stock
The warehouse usually has about 5,000 tons of stock.
Small pack sub-brand stock 800-1000 tons, boxed sub-brand stock 300-500 tons, large pack material/ton pack material stock 3500-3900 tons
Supply Assurance: Test First, Sign Later
Selection mnemonic: A case of a transparent container factory in Xi'an
Mnemonic:
1. Must be BPA-free, heat-resistant, and disinfectable — Eastman Tritan;
2. For cost-effectiveness and bio-based—SK Chemicals SKYGREEN/Ecozen;
3. For general-purpose transparent sheet packaging — Selenis;
4. Test light transmittance, yellowness, and IV value before entering the factory;
5. Mother and baby hot drink items — use the standard label, don't skimp;
6. Regular transparent containers — sub-brand is sufficient;
7. Choose large packaging for mass production, choose small packaging for sampling.
In Xi'an, there is a client who makes transparent food containers. Previously, in order to cut costs, they used ordinary PET rigid lids for their transparent food storage boxes. As a result, when microwaved, the boxes would deform and shrink, leading to a return rate of 9%. Later, they switched to the same brand's sub-brand from Eastman. The light transmittance and yellowness were tested at the factory before signing. The boxes no longer deformed in the microwave, the transparency was perfect, the return rate dropped to 0.4%, and the yield rate returned to 96%.
The material cost an extra thousand yuan per ton, but the money saved in after-sales service over a year was several times that amount. This is the value of proper material selection—when it comes to transparent heat-resistant products, saving money in the wrong place is essentially paying for after-sales issues. Ningbo Kolon New Materials Co., Ltd. has long been producing sub-brands of major imported manufacturers and has handled many projects in packaging and transparent container sectors. In short, they help you thoroughly test whether products are truly "transparent and heat-stable" before entering mass production.
