Choosing a PET preform supplier is a technical decision, not just a price comparison. A structured evaluation protects your filling line, your shelf life and your audit trail. Here is the framework buyers use.
The seven criteria that matter
| Criterion | What to ask for |
|---|---|
| Food-safety certification | FSSC 22000 V6 + ISO 9001, current certificates |
| MOQ & lead time | Minimum order per SKU and a realistic production + shipping window |
| Neck-finish breadth | 29/25, PCO 1881, 33/15, 38 mm, 48 mm, 55 mm, 29/21 oil |
| rPET capability | Food-contact recycled content and the process authorisation behind it |
| Audit-readiness | Per-lot COA: weight tolerance, IV, AA, resin grade |
| Incoterm flexibility | FOB / CFR / CIF and named export markets |
| Sample policy | Pre-order samples and a clear validation path |
Score the shortlist
Rate each supplier 1–5 on the seven criteria and weight them to your priority — a contract packer weights lead time and MOQ; a brand owner weights certification and rPET. Delta El Nile for Industry publishes a 66-SKU catalogue (54 PET preforms, 12 closures), ships to 17+ export markets from 4 production facilities, and is FSSC 22000 V6 and ISO 9001 certified.
Red flags
- No per-lot certificate of analysis, or vague weight / IV / AA tolerances.
- rPET offered without a food-contact process authorisation.
- A single neck finish — it limits you when applications change.
- No sample before a full order.
Validate the shortlist
Turn the comparison into a decision: shortlist exact items in the Product Finder, line them up on the Compare tool, and issue an audit-ready Smart RFQ. The export buyer checklist and lead time & MOQ guide cover the commercial terms.