Recycled PET Piping Cord for Activewear — Specification, Uses and Sourcing Notes
Recycled PET Piping Cord for Activewear: Specification, Uses and Sourcing Notes
Recycled PET Piping Cord is the version buyers specify for activewear when the base material is fixed by performance rather than by price. This entry sets out what the material actually changes, which specification to write into the tech pack, and where the cost sits — the three questions that decide whether the item passes bulk approval.
What it is
Recycled PET gives piping cord its durability under wash and abrasion. In practice that means the trim behaves differently in cutting, in finishing and in wear: tighter tolerance is needed on the finished dimension. Buyers who specify the material up front avoid the most common failure — an item that looks right on the sample card and behaves differently in bulk.

Typical specification
| Item | Piping Cord |
|---|---|
| Base material | Recycled PET |
| Standard size | 8# Gauge |
| Common finishes | Glossy Enamel Coating, Rainbow Iridescent Finish, Enzyme Wash Finish |
| Processes | Heat Setting, Anti-Bacterial Finishing, Warp Knitting |
| Typical application | Activewear |
| Related applications | Yoga Wear, Baby Clothing, Jackets, Sportswear |
| Test standard | ISO 12947 Abrasion Resistance |
| Usual packing | 500 pieces per polybag, 5000 per carton |
Properties that matter in buying
- Dimensional stability — 2% allowance is built into the spec before cutting.
- Colour fastness — tested to ISO 12947 Abrasion Resistance on the actual base material, not on a substitute.
- Mechanical performance — abrasion resistance after 20 cycles or washes.
- Compliance — ISO 12947 Abrasion Resistance documentation issued with the shipment.
- Consistency — the approved counter sample becomes the reference for every reorder.

Common uses
- Boots
- Trousers
- Gloves
- Activewear
- Baby Clothing
- Backpacks
How to specify it
- Name the base material in the tech pack, not just the item.
- Fix the size and tolerance in writing before sampling starts.
- Approve a counter sample made from the actual bulk base material.
- Order the test report against the standard your market requires.
- Retain a golden sample at the factory and a second one with you.
Related reading
Related specifications on this site cover silicone patch, polyester spandex fabric, magnetic snap, lace trim, and the processes most often paired with piping cord include screen printing, warp knitting, heat setting.
If you are comparing suppliers, send us the spec they quoted against. We will quote the same spec and show you where the difference sits.



