Recycled PETG (rPETG): density, print temperature and when to choose it
Recycled PETG (rPETG) is PETG reclaimed from post-industrial print waste or, in some lines, partly from bottle rPET (recycled PET packaging) reworked into a PETG-compatible formula. Chemically it's close to plain PETG, but like any secondary feedstock its thermal history is more complex, which slightly increases print-parameter variation between batches.
Key properties
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | ≈1.27 g/cm³ (same as plain PETG) |
| Nozzle temperature | 225–245°C |
| Bed temperature | 70–80°C |
| Part cooling | 20–40% |
| Shrinkage | minimal, may vary slightly batch to batch |
| Enclosure required | no |
When to use it
- Projects with a sustainability focus — packaging, POS materials, products for brands with an ESG agenda.
- Functional parts that aren't sensitive to precise batch-to-batch repeatability of mechanical properties.
- Replacing plain PETG where the material's environmental story matters more than perfect transparency or color uniformity.
When to pick something else
- You need maximum predictability of properties for series production — plain PETG made from virgin pellets is more consistent.
- Transparency and color purity matter — recycled material more often shows slight haze or tint; then plain PETG or PETG-HT is better.
- You need higher stiffness — consider PETG-GF; recycling alone doesn't increase stiffness.
Pros and cons
Pros: a smaller environmental footprint, often comparable in price to plain PETG or cheaper, retains PETG's base chemical and moisture resistance.
Cons: higher batch-to-batch property variation than virgin PETG, information about recycled-content share and source isn't always transparent or complete, slight color inconsistency is possible.
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Recycled PETG usually gives a direct raw-material saving compared to plain PETG, but budget a test print when switching batches — flow parameters and color can vary more than with stable virgin-pellet PETG. For marketing an "eco-friendly" product, this is often a worthwhile trade-off.