How plastic cups are made?

There are many types of disposable plastic cups. They can be made of paper, polypropylene, polystyrene, PET, it’s recycled equivalent rPET, etc.

Here at Amhil, we use the method of production known as thermoforming, to produce our cups out of Polypropylene (PP), PET and rPET. 

Before the manufacturing process can take place, the plastic granules are loaded into a special machine, which heats the material until it melts. Then a plastic sheet, about 2mm thick is formed. 

To make plastic cups, we use moulds made out of steel and/or aluminum. First, the sheet passes through the oven which heats it so it becomes soft and flexible. Then the film moves to a forming machine, where the plastic is pushed into the mould. It is simultaneously pushed and sucked, and as a result, it forms a batch of identical plastic cups. The whole operation doesn’t take long – it probably lasts about 3 to 5 seconds. 

Next, another machine cuts the cups out of the sheet. The scraps are being recycled and turned into new granulate – at Amhil, we believe in a circular economy so nothing goes to waste. From the cutter, the cups go to a machine that lays them on the conveyor belt. The cups are then reheated – the plastic need to soften again before they hit the next stage – the final forming. 

Finally, all rims are rounded, and the plastic cups are good to go through to the final quality control checks.

Visit ABOUT US and find out more about our production process.