thermoform

[thur-muh-fawrm]

verb (used with object)

1. to shape (especially plastic) by the use of heat and pressure.

Other Word Forms

• thermoformable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of thermoform¹

First recorded in 1955–60; thermo- + form

Example Sentences

Once printed, we place the masters and the Brailon sheets on a thermoform Machine, which heats up the sheets and creates a vacuum that forms the final tactile graphics.

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Environmental groups have also raised concerns that PET thermoform recycling could divert millions of gallons of water from residential use in Mexicali, which was declared to be in a state of emergency drought last summer.

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Given such a bleak landscape, Ornela Garelli, an oceans and plastic campaigner for the nonprofit Greenpeace Mexico, said the promise of thermoform recycling is a "greenwashing strategy" from the plastics industry — a way to justify the continued production of plastics.

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But rather than building out PET thermoform recycling infrastructure stateside, The Recycling Partnership's grant is being used to help Direct Pack build a new PET recycling facility in Mexicali, set to begin operating this spring.

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The facility is great news for plastic companies based in the U.S., where industry publications say PET thermoform recycling has remained "a struggle."

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