PETG filament — short for polyethylene terephthalate glycol — is a 3D-printing material that sits between PLA and ABS in the property spectrum. Higher heat tolerance than PLA, easier to print than ABS, glossier finish than both. It's the most common alternative to PLA in domestic 3D printing.
How PETG compares to PLA
| Property | PLA | PETG |
|---|---|---|
| Heat envelope | ~60 °C | ~75 °C |
| Source | Plant-derived (corn starch) | Petroleum-derived |
| Surface finish | Matte, layer lines visible | Glossy, layer lines visible |
| Food-grade | Yes (with food-grade resin) | Yes (with food-grade resin) |
| Industrially compostable | Yes | No |
| Dishwasher | No | Marginal (eco cycles only) |
Why we use PLA, not PETG
Three reasons Modu Drawer's modules are PLA rather than PETG:
- Plant-derived. PLA's carbon source is renewable; PETG's is petroleum. The supply-chain choice favours PLA for our use-case.
- Industrially compostable. PLA can be processed at industrial composting facilities at end of life; PETG can't.
- Print quality at our geometries. Modu Drawer modules have fine snap-lock features and tight cell tolerances. PLA prints these more reliably than PETG, which has more flow when extruded.
Where PETG would change the trade-off
- Dishwasher tolerance. PETG eco-cycles are marginal; PLA's are off the table.
- Outdoor use. PETG is more UV-resistant than PLA. For drawer organisers, the difference is academic (drawers stay closed); for outdoor storage, PETG would win.
- Higher heat exposure. A drawer that stores hot items (rare in domestic use) would benefit from PETG's higher envelope.
For most kitchen-drawer use-cases, PLA's heat sensitivity is the right trade-off for plant-derived sourcing and industrial compostability. The PETG alternative is real but loses what makes PLA a structural improvement over the petroleum-tray default.