PET preforms are polyethylene terephthalate blanks for blowing bottles on bottling lines. Russia consumes over 600,000 tons of PET per year, making it one of the largest PET packaging markets in the world. Preforms are produced by injection molding in multi-cavity molds (48-96 cavities). The preform mass determines the bottle volume: 16-18 g (0.5 L), 28-32 g (1.0-1.5 L), 42-52 g (2.0-5.0 L). Neck finish: PCO 1810, PCO 1881 (for 28 mm capping) or BPF (38 mm, for milk). PET resin: injection grades with IV (intrinsic viscosity) 0.78-0.84 dl/g. Transparency, CO₂ barrier (for carbonated drinks), mechanical strength. Food contact compliant: TR TS 005/2011, FDA-approved. Minimum order quantity from 50,000 pcs. SBM (Stretch Blow Molding): preform heated by IR lamps to 95-110°C → stretching with a rod + blowing with compressed air at 30-40 bar → cooling in mold for 2-3 sec. Productivity: 2,000-72,000 bottles/hour (SBM Sidel, KHS, SIPA). Lightweighting is the trend of reducing preform mass: 28 g → 18 g for 0.5 L (36% raw material saving). Requires design and blowing parameter optimization. rPET (recycled PET) — up to 100% recycled content for bottles (circular economy trend). Documentation: preform drawing, CoA for PET resin, blowing protocol.