PET Acoustic Panels: How They Work, Performance Data, and What to Check Before You Buy
What Are PET Acoustic Panels?
PET acoustic panels are sound-absorbing boards made from polyester fiber, commonly produced from recycled plastic bottles. They reduce echo and reverberation in offices, restaurants, schools and hotels. This guide from the LDSoffice team explains how they work, what the test numbers mean, and what contractors and architects should verify before placing a bulk order.
PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate, the same plastic used in drink bottles. In acoustic panels, PET is processed into fine polyester fibers and formed into rigid or semi-rigid boards. The result is a lightweight, porous panel that can be cut to size and made in many colors and thicknesses.
Recycled PET options are part of our range. GRS-certified products are available where the specific material and order fall within the scope of our valid certification. If you need GRS documentation, tell us before ordering so we can confirm what applies to your selected product.
How Our PET Acoustic Panels Are Made
The exact sequence depends on the product and on whether flame-retardant performance is required.
Recycled PET feedstock. Post-consumer plastic bottles are flattened and shredded, then fed into an extruder, where the material is melted and drawn into long, super-fine polyester fibers with a wool-like texture. Flame-retardant treatment (optional). Where an order requires flame-retardant performance, the fiber is soaked in a flame-retardant treatment bath for a set period. This step is skipped when it is not required. Drying. The fiber is dried to remove moisture before it is formed into sheets. Sheet forming. The dried fiber is compressed into PET sheets at the required thickness. Cutting and fabrication. Sheets are CNC cut to size and finished into flat panels and other specified formats. Packaging. Panels are packed according to the agreed specification.
Color is added during production, so shade can vary slightly between batches. For large projects, order the full quantity from one production run where possible. PET felt is 100% recyclable at the end of its service life.
How Do PET Panels Absorb Sound?
PET panels are porous. When a sound wave enters the panel, it passes through thousands of tiny air gaps between fibers. Friction against the fibers turns a small amount of sound energy into heat, so less sound is reflected back into the room.
This matters in one specific way. PET panels reduce echo and improve speech clarity inside a room. They do not block sound from passing through a wall. Absorption and soundproofing are different jobs. To stop noise traveling between rooms, you need mass and sealed construction, and panels alone will not do that.
What the Performance Numbers Mean
wo numbers appear on most acoustic test reports:
NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient). The average of the absorption coefficients at 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz, rounded to the nearest 0.05. An NRC of 0.80 means the panel absorbs roughly 80% of the sound energy in that range, on average. αs (average absorption coefficient). The average across all tested frequency bands, here from 100 to 5000 Hz.
Our 9 mm PET acoustic panel was tested at NRC 0.80 and αs 0.70 (test report dated April 2022). Selected results from that test:
| Frequency | Absorption coefficient |
|---|---|
| 125 Hz | 0.09 |
| 250 Hz | 0.47 |
| 500 Hz | 0.87 |
| 1000 Hz | 1.02 |
| 2000 Hz | 0.79 |
| 4000 Hz | 0.90 |
What the data shows:
From 500 Hz to 5000 Hz, absorption stays at 0.79 or higher. This is the range that matters most for speech clarity in offices, classrooms and meeting rooms. Below about 200 Hz, absorption is low (0.08 to 0.17 between 100 and 160 Hz). A 9 mm panel is not the right tool for deep bass. Values slightly above 1.00 are common in laboratory absorption tests. They do not mean the panel absorbs more energy than reaches it.
Two cautions when comparing products:
NRC depends on thickness and on how the sample was mounted. A panel tested with an air gap behind it scores higher than the same panel tested flat on a wall. Always ask for both. NRC is an average. Two panels with the same NRC can behave very differently at low frequencies. Ask for the full band-by-band data.
Thickness and Air Gap
Our standard thicknesses are 9 mm, 12 mm and 24 mm. For projects that need stronger low-frequency control, we can produce 40 to 60 mm panels.
Thicker panels generally absorb more, especially at lower frequencies. Mounting a panel with an air gap behind it has a similar effect, because it gives sound more room to be absorbed. The numbers above apply to the 9 mm panel as tested. For other thicknesses, ask us what test data is available before you specify. If you are working to a target, send us the room size and use, and we will recommend a thickness and mounting method.
Fire and Emissions Compliance
For commercial projects, this is often the first thing a specifier checks. We hold two SGS fire reports, one for each major market. They are issued under the name of our parent manufacturer.
EN 13501-1 (Europe): Class B-s1,d0
Tested to EN 13501-1:2018 using EN 13823 and EN ISO 11925-2.
B-s1,d0 means limited contribution to fire (B), low smoke production (s1), and no flaming droplets or particles (d0).
Tested on a calcium silicate board substrate, mechanically fixed, without joints. The classification applies to those conditions.
ASTM E84 (United States): Class A
Tested to ASTM E84-2022.
Flame Spread Index 0 and Smoke-Developed Index 10, which meets the Class A limits (flame spread 0 to 25, smoke developed 0 to 450).
The tested sample was a 9.0 mm black panel.
The EN "Class B" and the US "Class A" come from different systems. Do not compare the letters directly. Each one is judged against its own standard and scale.
A flame-retardant panel is not a non-combustible or fireproof panel. PET panels can burn when exposed to a flame. A fire classification describes performance under specific test conditions, and it applies to the product as tested. If your project uses a different thickness, color or fixing method, tell us before ordering so we can confirm whether the existing report covers it. We will not describe a product as meeting a rating without the corresponding test documentation.
On emissions, our panels carry an A+ rating for VOC. Certificates and full reports are available on request.
PET vs Other Acoustic Materials
| Material | Typical strengths | Typical points to check |
|---|---|---|
| PET polyester fiber | No loose fibers, tolerates humidity, recycled content, custom colors, CNC cut to custom sizes | Fire report must match the exact product |
| Fiberglass / mineral wool | High absorption for the thickness | Usually needs a fabric wrap and careful handling |
| Polyurethane foam | Very light, low cost | Fire and durability vary widely between products |
| Wood wool | Natural look | Heavier, fewer color options |
The right choice depends on the performance target, fire requirement, budget and look.
Where PET Acoustic Panels Are Used
Offices and meeting rooms: reduce echo and improve speech clarity. Restaurants and cafes: lower the overall noise level in hard-surfaced rooms. Schools and training rooms: make speech easier to understand. Hotels and lobbies: combine acoustic control with a designed surface. Studios and home theaters: control reflections.
A Buyer's Checklist for Bulk Orders
Before you order, confirm these points with any supplier:
- Acoustic report: NRC, thickness, and the mounting method used in the test.
- Fire report: the standard, the class, and the tested thickness, color, substrate and fixing method.
- Emissions report: VOC results, if the project requires them.
- Recycled content: a GRS certificate that covers your selected product, if sustainability is part of the brief.
- Color consistency: whether your full quantity can come from one production batch.
- Samples: check color and texture against your design before committing.
- Quantity, lead time and logistics: minimum order, production time and packing.
Our terms: the minimum order is 100 pieces and the standard lead time is about 15 days. Free samples are available, and the customer pays shipping. Custom sizes, custom colors and CNC cutting are available on request, and packaging can be customized to your requirements.
FAQ
Are PET acoustic panels soundproof? No. They absorb sound inside a room to reduce echo. They do not stop sound passing through walls.
What NRC do your panels reach? Our 9 mm panel was tested at NRC 0.80 and αs 0.70. See the performance section for the frequency results.
What thickness should I choose? 9 mm and 12 mm suit most walls where the goal is general echo control. 24 mm and above suit spaces that need stronger absorption, especially at lower frequencies. Send us your room size and use for a recommendation.
Are your PET acoustic panels fire rated? We hold an SGS report for EN 13501-1 Class B-s1,d0 and an SGS report for ASTM E84 Class A. Each applies to the product as tested, so confirm thickness, color and fixing method for your project.
How are the panels installed? Panels can be glued to a wall. If you need the EN 13501-1 classification to apply to the installed system, tell us, because that report was tested with mechanical fixing.
Are your panels eco-friendly? Recycled PET options are part of our range, and GRS-certified products are available where the material and order fall within our valid certification. Our panels also carry an A+ VOC emissions rating.
Can I get samples before ordering? Yes. Samples are free, and you cover the shipping cost.
What is the minimum order? 100 pieces.
What We Need to Prepare Your Quote
Send us the basics below:
Estimated order quantity Required panel thickness Panel width and length, or your finished-size drawings Whether flame-retardant performance is required, including the test standard if your project specifies one Preferred color, finish and packaging format Whether you need GRS or VOC documentation for the selected product
With these details, our team can confirm available specifications and prepare a quotation and lead-time estimate.
