APET/PETG/GAG Sheet Roll for Thermoforming

If you run thermoforming lines for trays, blisters, clamshells, or folding box inserts, the three materials you are most likely evaluating are APET, PETG, and GAG. All three are PET-family thermoplastic sheet rolls designed for high-speed vacuum and pressure forming - but they are not interchangeable. Each has a different structure, forming behavior, and cost profile that makes it better suited for specific packaging types.

This page explains what each material is, when to use it, and how to choose the right one for your thermoforming application. ONE PLASTIC manufactures all three materials on dedicated extrusion lines and supplies them in roll format to thermoforming converters worldwide.

For detailed specifications on individual materials, see our product pages for APET sheet, PETG sheet, and GAG sheet.

What APET, PETG, and GAG Actually Are

These three abbreviations get used loosely in the packaging industry, so it is worth being precise:

APET (Amorphous Polyethylene Terephthalate): A single-layer, amorphous PET sheet. It is the most common thermoforming-grade PET material. APET offers high clarity, good rigidity, and is widely used for food trays, blister packs, and clamshells. It is fully recyclable as standard PET (resin code #1).

PETG (Glycol-Modified PET): A single-layer PET sheet modified with glycol to improve impact resistance, reduce brittleness, and widen the thermoforming window. PETG is tougher than APET and resists stress-whitening during forming, but typically costs more. It is used when the packaging needs to survive rougher handling or when deeper draw ratios are required.

GAG (GPET/APET/GPET Trilayer): A three-layer co-extruded sheet with GPET (glycol-modified PET) on both outer surfaces and an APET core. This structure combines the benefits of both materials: the GPET surface layers provide impact resistance and prevent stress-whitening, while the APET core keeps cost lower than full PETG. GAG is increasingly popular for food packaging where both clarity and toughness matter.

All three materials are supplied in roll format for inline feeding into thermoforming machines. ONE PLASTIC extrudes all three on dedicated PET production lines with a combined capacity of 10 extrusion lines.

How to Choose: APET vs. PETG vs. GAG

Quick decision guide:

• If your trays are standard depth, your forming line is well-controlled, and cost is the priority: APET

• If you need maximum toughness, deep draws, or the forming line needs a forgiving material: PETG

• If you want the toughness of PETG at a lower material cost: GAG

Typical Thermoforming Applications

Food Trays and Containers

Fruit punnets, bakery trays, deli containers, meat trays, and fresh produce packaging. APET and GAG are the most common choices for food packaging due to their clarity, rigidity, and PET #1 recyclability. GAG is gaining share in food packaging because it resists cracking at tray edges and corners better than pure APET.

Blister Packaging

Consumer electronics blisters, hardware blisters, toy packaging, and pharmaceutical blister cards. PETG and GAG are preferred for blister packs that need to survive retail handling, shipping, and consumer opening without cracking or stress-whitening.

Clamshells and Folding Box Inserts

Hinged clamshell containers for food and retail products, and thermoformed inserts for folding cartons. The hinge on a clamshell is a high-stress area where APET may crack over repeated opening cycles - PETG or GAG performs better here.

Display and Presentation Packaging

Premium food packaging, cosmetics trays, gift box inserts, and any packaging where optical clarity and surface quality are selling points. All three materials provide excellent transparency, but PETG and GAG maintain their appearance better through forming and handling.

Protective Packaging

Thermoformed trays and inserts for electronics, medical devices, and industrial parts. Where the packaging must protect fragile contents during shipping, PETG's impact resistance is an advantage.

Available Roll Specifications

For anti-fog versions of these materials (commonly used in food packaging), see our anti-fog PET plastic sheet page.

Why Roll Format for Thermoforming?

Thermoforming converters buy PET sheet in roll format - not cut sheets - because roll-fed thermoforming lines are the standard in high-volume packaging production. The roll feeds continuously into the forming machine's heating section, then into the forming station, and the formed parts are trimmed downstream.

Key roll-format considerations:

Roll Width: Must match your forming machine's web width. Standard widths range from 300mm to 1400mm. We can slit rolls to your exact width requirement.

Roll Diameter / Weight: Larger rolls mean fewer changeovers on the forming line. Typical roll weight is 200-500 kg depending on material thickness and width. We can produce to your target roll weight or diameter.

Core Size: 3-inch (76mm) and 6-inch (152mm) cores are standard. Your machine's unwind mandrel determines which you need.

Winding Quality: Consistent tension and flat winding are critical. A poorly wound roll causes tracking problems, wrinkles, and uneven heating on the forming line. Our extrusion lines include inline tension control and surface inspection.

Why Choose ONE PLASTIC?

All Three Materials from One Factory: We extrude APET, PETG, and GAG on dedicated PET production lines. This means you can trial all three materials from a single supplier, compare forming performance head-to-head, and settle on the best option without managing multiple vendor relationships.

10 PET Extrusion Lines: Our production capacity supports both large-volume orders and smaller trial or custom runs. Whether you need a full container of APET rolls or a trial pallet of GAG, we can accommodate.

FDA Compliant Materials: Our PET-family thermoforming rolls are produced from food-grade resin and are suitable for direct food-contact packaging applications.

ISO 9001 Certified: Rolls are tested for thickness tolerance, clarity, surface quality, and mechanical properties before shipment.

Custom Roll Specifications: We supply custom widths, thicknesses, core sizes, and roll weights to match your forming line requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which material is best for food packaging thermoforming?

APET is the most widely used material for food trays and blisters due to its low cost, high clarity, and full PET #1 recyclability. If your tray design has deep draws, sharp corners, or thin sidewalls that tend to crack in APET, GAG is typically the next step up - it offers better toughness at a moderate cost increase. PETG is used when maximum impact resistance is needed or when the forming conditions are difficult to control tightly.

Is GAG more expensive than APET?

Yes, but the difference is smaller than the gap between APET and full PETG. GAG uses a thin GPET layer on each surface with an APET core, so the overall material cost is closer to APET than to PETG. For many converters, the reduction in scrap and cracked parts more than offsets the higher material cost.

Can I switch between APET, PETG, and GAG on the same forming machine?

Yes. All three materials run on standard PET thermoforming equipment. The main adjustment is forming temperature - APET typically requires tighter temperature control, while PETG and GAG have wider forming windows. Your machine's heater settings and cycle time may need minor adjustment when switching between materials.

Are these materials recyclable?

Yes. All three are PET-family materials and are recyclable in the PET #1 waste stream. GAG is particularly straightforward because all three layers are PET-based - there is no barrier layer or non-PET component that would complicate recycling.

What is the minimum order quantity?

MOQ depends on the material, thickness, and roll width. For standard APET rolls in common sizes, MOQ is typically low. Custom widths, colors, or anti-fog versions may have a higher minimum. Contact us with your specific requirements for a quote.

Can I get samples before placing a bulk order?

Yes. We can supply sample rolls or cut samples of APET, PETG, and GAG for evaluation on your thermoforming line. This is the best way to compare forming behavior, cycle time, and finished part quality before committing to a material.

Get a Quote

Looking for thermoforming-grade PET sheet rolls?

• Tell Us Your Application - Tray type, depth, wall thickness, and production volume

• Request Trial Rolls - Compare APET, PETG, and GAG on your forming line

• Get a Custom Quote - Specify material, thickness, roll width, and quantity

Contact: operation@one-plastic.com

Related Products: APET Sheet | PETG Sheet | GAG Sheet | Anti-fog PET Plastic Sheet

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