Contact Sales on +44 (0)1472 240940
Berlin Packaging expands its presence in EMEA with the acquisition of BlueSky.
Contact Sales on +44 (0)1472 240940
Berlin Packaging expands its presence in EMEA with the acquisition of BlueSky.
It is a strong choice for bottles and jars across personal care, healthcare, home care, food, beverage, wellness and supplement products. It gives brands a clean, glass-like appearance without the same weight or breakage risk as glass.
But PET still needs to be handled correctly.
Like all plastic materials, PET can be affected by heat. If PET bottles, jars or containers are stored in unsuitable conditions or exposed to high temperatures during transport, they may shrink, distort or lose shape. That can create problems before the packaging has even reached the filling line.
For brands, contract fillers, warehouse teams and logistics partners, safe storage and transport are an important part of protecting packaging quality.
Packaging quality does not only depend on the material itself.
It also depends on how the packaging is stored, handled and transported before filling.
A PET bottle may leave the supplier in perfect condition, but if it is left in a hot trailer, stored under a skylight or placed near a warehouse heater, the material can be exposed to temperatures that affect its shape and performance.
That matters because damaged or distorted packaging can lead to:
Yes. PET packaging can be affected by heat, especially when exposed to elevated temperatures for extended periods.
PET is durable in normal use, but it is not designed to be stored in hot trailers, direct sunlight or poorly ventilated warehouse areas for long periods.
The risk depends on:
The hotter the environment, the faster the risk of distortion increases.
PET packaging should be protected from prolonged heat exposure.
The following temperature guidance is useful when storing or transporting empty PET bottles, jars and containers.
| Temperature range | Potential effect on PET packaging |
|---|---|
| Above 50°C | Visible shrinkage may occur in less than one hour |
| 42°C to 50°C | Shrinkage may occur within around 12 hours |
| 35°C to 42°C | Deformation may occur over several days |
| 30°C to 35°C | Effects may appear after prolonged exposure |
The key point is that PET damage is not only caused by extreme heat. Prolonged exposure to moderately high temperatures can also affect the packaging over time.
That is why summer storage, trailers, containers, skylights and poorly ventilated warehouses all need careful attention.
When PET packaging is exposed to too much heat, the bottle or jar can start to lose its intended shape.
This may show as:
For a brand owner, these issues can affect finished pack presentation. For a contract filler, they can slow down production or create avoidable waste.
A small change in bottle shape may not look serious at first glance, but it can become a real issue once the pack needs to be filled, capped, labelled and boxed.
Transport is one of the highest-risk points for PET packaging, especially in warmer months.
Trailers, shipping containers and vehicles can become much hotter than the outside air temperature, particularly if they are dark-coloured, unventilated or left standing in direct sunlight.
To reduce risk during transport, buyers and logistics teams should plan ahead.
Work with your logistics partner
Make sure your transport provider understands that empty PET packaging should be protected from excessive heat.
This is especially important for long-distance shipments, summer deliveries, container movements or any route where goods may sit in a trailer for extended periods.
Avoid unnecessary delays in transit
Where possible, use direct delivery routes and avoid long layovers.
The longer PET packaging sits in a vehicle or container, the greater the risk of heat exposure.
Use suitable vehicles
Light-coloured or ventilated vehicles can help reduce temperature build-up.
Dark trailers and containers can absorb heat quickly, especially in direct sunlight.
Unload promptly on arrival
PET packaging should be unloaded as soon as possible when it reaches site.
Leaving pallets in a hot trailer, yard or loading bay can undo good planning from earlier in the journey.
Avoid direct sunlight during unloading
If packaging is waiting to be moved into the warehouse, keep it away from direct sunlight.
Even short periods of strong sun can heat packaging quickly, especially on exposed pallets.
Storage conditions matter just as much as transport conditions.
PET bottles and jars should be stored in a stable, dry, well-ventilated environment away from direct heat and sunlight.
Keep PET packaging away from sunlight
Do not store PET pallets in direct sunlight.
This includes sunlight through warehouse doors, windows or skylights. Even filtered light through roof panels can create localised heat build-up.
Avoid heat sources
PET packaging should be kept away from heaters, boilers, hot pipes, exhaust vents, compressors or machinery that gives off heat.
The risk is not always obvious. A pallet stored near a heat source over several days can be affected even if the wider warehouse temperature feels acceptable.
Maintain good airflow
Poor ventilation can cause heat to build up around stored packaging.
Airflow helps reduce local hot spots, especially in warehouses with metal roofing, high racking or limited air circulation.
Keep temperatures stable
Where possible, keep storage temperatures below 35°C.
During warmer months, warehouse teams should pay extra attention to areas near rooflines, skylights, loading bays and external walls, as these can become hotter than other parts of the building.
Be careful with metal roofing
Warehouses with low metal roofs or poor insulation can trap heat.
If PET packaging is stored in these environments, ventilation and stock location become even more important.
Use good stock rotation
Use FIFO — First In, First Out — stock rotation.
This helps reduce the risk of packaging sitting in storage for longer than necessary and supports better stock control across production run.
Before ordering PET bottles or jars, buyers should think about how the packaging will move through the supply chain.
Useful questions include:
PET packaging can perform very well, but it should be treated as part of a wider packaging and supply chain system.
BlueSky supplies PET bottles and jars for personal care, healthcare, home care, food, beverage, wellness and contract filling applications.
The team can support with:
For brands and contract fillers, the value is not only choosing the right PET packaging. It is making sure the pack remains fit for purpose from delivery to filling and final use.
PET packaging offers clarity, light weight and practical handling across a wide range of bottle and jar formats.
To get the best from it, buyers need to think about storage, transport and handling as carefully as they think about size, closure and appearance.
If you are specifying PET bottles or jars for a new product launch, repeat production run or contract filling project, BlueSky can help you choose the right format and advise on how to protect packaging quality through the supply chain.
Browse PET bottles →
Speak to the BlueSky team →
Our expert team is ready to assist you with your packaging needs.
Horizon House
Estate Road Five
Grimsby
DN31 2TG
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