Polyester (PET Fabric)
A synthetic polymer textile made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), widely used in automotive interior trim for seat upholstery, headliners, door panels, and carpets due to its durability and cost-effectiveness.
Overview
Polyester (PET) fabric is one of the most widely used textile materials in automotive interiors. Available in woven, knitted, and non-woven forms, PET fabrics offer an excellent balance of durability, abrasion resistance, UV stability, and ease of manufacture. In automotive applications, polyester is used for seat covers, headliners, boot liners, door card inserts, and carpet underlays. Its low moisture absorption makes it resistant to mould and mildew, while its high colour fastness ensures long-term appearance retention under UV exposure. PET fabric can be engineered with flame-retardant finishes to meet automotive interior flammability standards. It is also increasingly sourced from recycled PET (rPET) bottles, positioning it as a more sustainable alternative to virgin synthetic textiles.
Automotive Applications
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Properties
Category
Type
Synthetic Textile / PET Fibre
Available Colors
Available Forms
Key Properties
- High abrasion and wear resistance
- UV and fade resistant
- Low moisture absorption
- Good tensile and tear strength
- Wrinkle and crease resistant
- Flame retardant (with treatment)
- Lightweight
Technical Specifications
Density
1.38 g/cm³
Tensile Strength
50–80 MPa (fibre-dependent)
Temperature Resistance
-40°C to +120°C (operational); melting point ~250°C
Sustainability
Sustainability Rating
PET fabric is recyclable and increasingly produced from recycled PET (rPET) sources such as post-consumer plastic bottles, significantly reducing its carbon footprint. Several automotive OEMs (e.g. BMW, Volkswagen) now use rPET fabrics in interior applications as part of circular economy commitments.