5 Ways High-Performance Plastics are Redefining Manufacturing

Acoustock PET acoustic felt combines architectural design freedom with independently tested NRC 0.80 acoustic performance

Acoustock is Plastock’s own range of PET acoustic felt — 53 stock colours, NRC 0.80, B-s1,d0 fire rated, next-day despatch. This guide covers everything architects, interior designers, acoustic consultants, contractors and commercial buyers need to know.

CONTENTS

• What Acoustock PET Felt Is - and Why It Matters
• How PET Acoustic Felt Performs - The Acoustics
• Fire Performance
• Sustainability and Environmental Credentials
• The Colour Range — 53 Stock Colours
• Panel Sizes and Formats
• Fabrication, Cutting and Conversion
• Installation Methods
• Design Applications
• Acoustock vs Other Acoustic Panel Materials
• Ordering, Stock and Lead Times
• Specification Checklist
• Summary — Why Acoustock

1. What Acoustock PET Felt Is - and Why It Matters

Acoustock is Plastock’s branded range of acoustic PET felt panels. PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate — the same polymer used to make plastic bottles, which is recovered, processed and re-formed into a dense, workable acoustic panel.

The result is a material that solves one of the most persistent problems in commercial interiors: how to control sound in a space without sacrificing design. Acoustock panels absorb sound energy, reduces reverberation and, with 53 stock colours available for next-day despatch, does this without restricting creative choice.

The standard panel size is 8’ x 4’ at 9mm thickness. Larger 10’4” panels in selected colours and additional thicknesses of 12mm and 19mm are being added to the range. All standard panels are held in UK stock and can typically be despatched next working day — and in many cases, same day.

Acoustock PET acoustic felt combines recycled polyester fibres with excellent acoustic performance, offering a durable, design-led material available in 53 stock colours

Plastock Insight:
Many acoustic materials force a compromise between performance and aesthetics. Acoustock is built on the premise that specifiers shouldn’t have to choose.

What PET Felt Is and Isn’t

PET felt is not foam. It is not fabric-wrapped mineral wool. It is not a thin surface coating. It is a structurally consistent, dimensionally stable panel manufactured from compressed recycled PET fibres — a discrete material category with distinct fabrication, installation and performance characteristics.

It is produced in a controlled needle-punch or thermal-bond process that aligns and interlocks fibres to achieve consistent density, thickness and acoustic performance across the panel. Acoustock panels contain no chemical binders, adhesives or solvents — 100% polyester fibre throughout.

Common Names and Search Terms

Acoustock PET felt may also be searched for as: acoustic felt panels, PET acoustic panels, felt wall panels, recycled felt acoustic tiles, decorative acoustic panels, acoustic wall cladding, sound-absorbing felt. All refer to the same product category.

2. How PET Acoustic Felt Performs - The Acoustics

PET felt works by converting sound energy into heat through internal friction within the fibre matrix. When sound waves penetrate the panel surface, air movement within the felt causes fibres to vibrate against each other, dissipating energy. The result is reduced reverberation and improved speech intelligibility within the treated space.

Acoustock 9mm panels achieve an NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient) of 0.80, independently tested to ISO 354:2003. This places Acoustock at the top of the PET felt market and comfortably within the range required by demanding commercial specifications.

Octave Band Performance - 9mm Panel

Independently tested to ISO 354:2003, Acoustock achieves an NRC of 0.80 for excellent speech-frequency sound absorption

The table below shows independently tested absorption coefficients at each NRC octave band. Testing was carried out on a 1005 x 1005 x 9mm specimen at 1.9 kg/m² surface density, mounted on C50 furring (200mm air cavity).

Average α across the full 100–5000 Hz range is 0.78, confirming consistent broadband absorption.

Plastock Insight:
NRC is the average absorption across the 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz octave bands — the speech-critical range. An NRC of 0.80 means 80% of sound energy in these frequencies is absorbed rather than reflected.

Thickness and Performance

Where PET Felt Works Best

PET felt is most effective when applied to the primary reflective surfaces in a space — walls, ceilings, and soffits. Coverage area matters: partial treatment improves comfort; systematic treatment achieves specification targets.

3. Fire Performance

Acoustock PET felt is independently tested and certified to EN 13501-1:2018 — the European standard for reaction to fire of construction products. The classification is B-s1,d0:

The s1 smoke classification is notable: it means lower smoke production than the s2 classification carried by several products in the market — relevant to specifiers and fire consultants on projects with stringent life-safety requirements.

Acoustock is also certified to ASTM E84-2022 (Class A, the highest interior finish rating under NFPA 101) with a Flame Spread Index of 0 and Smoke Developed Index of 35.

Plastock Insight:
Always confirm the exact fire classification against the building specification and consult the project fire engineer before specifying. Full test documentation is available from Plastock

4. Sustainability and Environmental Credentials

Acoustock panels contain over 50% recycled PET fibre and support sustainable commercial interior design

The E0 formaldehyde result — Not Detected — means Acoustock actively supports healthy indoor air quality. This is relevant to WELL Building Standard assessments and to healthcare and education specifications where indoor environment quality is formally assessed.

The 50%+ recycled PET content and zero waste manufacturing credentials support BREEAM, LEED and WELL certification targets. Each panel is fully recyclable at end of life, contributing to circular economy reporting for corporate occupiers and public sector clients.

5. The Colour Range - 53 Stock Colours

Acoustock is available in 53 stock colours, all held in UK stock for rapid despatch

Acoustock is available in 53 stock colours — the broadest off-the-shelf acoustic felt range available in the UK. PET felt ranges from other suppliers typically offer between 17 and 28 standard colours; Acoustock’s 53-colour stock range is more than double the nearest equivalent.

The range spans five groupings: Greys (14 colours), Blues (11 colours), Greens (9 colours), Earth Tones (8 colours), and Pastels & Brights (11 colours). This breadth means acoustic treatment can be matched or complemented to virtually any commercial interior palette without compromise.

All 53 colours are held in UK stock and available for next-day despatch — in many cases same day. This eliminates the lead-time risk common with products requiring colour-specific manufacturing runs.

Plastock Insight:
The ability to call off 53 colours from stock — rather than waiting weeks for a manufacturing run — is a genuine commercial differentiator. No other UK PET felt supplier matches this stock range.

Colour and Light - What Specifiers Should Know

Colour performance in PET felt is governed by the fibre dyeing process and the density of the panel. Lighter colours tend to reflect more light than darker tones. Edge illumination effects — where panel edges catch directional light — vary significantly between colours and can be used deliberately in lit installations.

Note that PET felt has a fibre direction — maintain consistent orientation when cutting panels for the same installation to ensure uniform light reflection across the surface.

Sample panels are strongly recommended before final colour specification. Acoustock sample panels are available at a modest charge per sample. The full 53-colour sample box is also available at a discount.

6. Panel Sizes and Formats

The 8’ x 4’ format aligns with standard architectural grid dimensions, minimising waste on typical wall and ceiling applications. Larger 10’4” panels reduce joint frequency on long wall runs — particularly relevant for seamless-look installations in hospitality and corporate environments.

Surface density of the 9mm panel is 1.9 kg/m² — lightweight for ceiling baffle and suspended raft applications without specialist structural fixing.

7. Fabrication, Cutting and Conversion

PET acoustic felt can be cut, routed, shaped and fabricated with standard workshop equipment. It cuts cleanly, holds its edges without fraying, and does not require specialist tooling for most applications.

Cut-to-Size via Plastock

Plastock offers precision cut-to-size conversion of Acoustock panels. Conversion is carried out using a Zünd or Kongsberg digital cutting table — industry-standard equipment used across large-format print, signage and architectural interiors sectors.

Digital cutting ensures clean, accurate edges with consistent repeatability across a project. Complex shapes, curves, perforations, and bespoke profiles can all be produced to CAD-supplied dimensions. Contact the Plastock team to discuss requirements and confirm file format.

Plastock Insight:
For fit-out contractors, ordering pre-cut panels from Plastock removes a fabrication step from site. Panels arrive ready to install, reducing waste and programme risk.

On-Site Fabrication

For contractors cutting panels on site, PET felt cuts well with a sharp utility knife and straight edge, a circular saw with a fine-tooth blade, or a jigsaw. Dust generation is low. The material does not splinter or shatter. Cut edges are clean and do not require finishing.

Future Product Development

Plastock is developing a range of standard Acoustock tiles and cut patterns — enabling faster specification for tiled acoustic wall systems. More bespoke solutions are also in development. Specifiers with project-specific requirements are invited to discuss these with the Plastock team at the earliest possible stage.

8. Installation Methods

PET acoustic felt can be installed using several methods. Installation method and fixing or adhesive selection is at the discretion of the installer or contractor, based on their assessment of the specific substrate, environment and application.

Acoustock panels can be installed using adhesive, mechanical fixings, framed systems or suspended ceiling hardware

Adhesive Bonding

Contact adhesive applied to the panel back and substrate is the most common method for permanent wall applications. Ensure the substrate is clean, dry and flat. Work from one edge to avoid trapped air.

Mechanical Fixing

Contact adhesive applied to the panel back and substrate is the most common method for permanent wall applications. Ensure the substrate is clean, dry and flat. Work from one edge to avoid trapped air.

Framed and Hanging Systems

PET felt can be mounted within proprietary framed panel systems or hung on tensioned batten systems. Suits installations requiring maintenance access or a floating panel aesthetic.

Ceiling Applications

For suspended baffles and acoustic rafts, panels are typically suspended on wire or rod systems with fixings through pre-cut holes. At 1.9 kg/m², 9mm Acoustock panels are well within the load range of standard suspension hardware.

9. Design Applications

Acoustock’s combination of NRC 0.80 acoustic performance, 53-colour stock range and workability makes it suited to a wide range of commercial and public interior applications.

Acoustock improves acoustic comfort across offices, schools, hospitality venues and retail environments

Office and Workplace

Open-plan offices are among the most acoustically problematic environments in commercial property. Hard surfaces, high ceilings and dense occupancy create reverberation conditions that reduce speech privacy, increase cognitive load and reduce productivity. Acoustock panels applied to walls, ceiling baffles or feature screens address these conditions without major structural intervention.

Acoustock’s 53-colour range enables acoustic treatment to be integrated as a design element — branded colour schemes, wayfinding features and zonal identifiers can all be delivered in acoustic felt, specified and despatched at short notice.

Education

Classroom acoustic performance is a regulated requirement under Building Bulletin 93 (BB93). Excess reverberation is consistently linked to reduced comprehension, particularly for younger pupils and those with hearing difficulties. PET felt on wall returns, corridor ceilings and breakout spaces can make a material contribution to meeting BB93 targets.

Hospitality

Restaurants, bars and hotel lobbies increasingly specify acoustic treatment as a designed element. Hard finishes, glass and hard flooring — the preferences of contemporary hospitality design — create uncomfortable acoustic conditions at high occupancy. Acoustock panels applied to wall reveals, ceiling soffits and back-of-booth surfaces reduce reverberation while contributing to the interior palette.

Retail

Retail acoustic treatment is driven by staff welfare and customer experience. Acoustock’s next-day stock availability is particularly suited to retail rollout programmes where multiple sites need to be treated on a live commercial schedule.

Healthcare and Public Buildings

Acoustock’s B-s1,d0 fire rating, E0 formaldehyde classification, non-toxic and odourless properties, and ease of cleaning make it well suited to many healthcare acoustic applications. The ISO 9001:2015 registered supply chain supports procurement requirements common in public sector projects.

Studio and Broadcast

The 9mm panel at NRC 0.80 is effective for mid-to-high frequency control and well suited to podcast suites, voice-critical environments and video conferencing rooms. The 19mm format (coming soon) will offer enhanced low-frequency absorption for more demanding studio environments.

10. Acoustock vs Other Acoustic Panel Materials

Acoustock combines strong acoustic performance, rapid UK stock availability and one of the industry's widest colour ranges

Plastock Insight:
Acoustock’s NRC 0.80 and B-s1,d0 (s1 = lowest smoke class) sit above the typical market on both acoustic performance and fire safety. Combined with the broadest UK stock colour range and next-day availability, Acoustock occupies a uniquely strong position across every specifier criterion.

11. Ordering, Stock and Lead Times

All 53 Acoustock colours are held in UK stock in the standard 8’ x 4’ x 9mm format. Orders can typically be despatched next working day — in many cases, same day. Plastock is ISO 9001:2015 registered (Cert. No. 42597-2023).

Cut-to-Size Orders

Cut-to-size orders are typically completed within two weeks of final design sign-off — often less. Contact the Plastock team to discuss your project, confirm file requirements and agree a lead time.

Samples

Sample panels are held in stock across all 53 colours. A modest charge applies per sample. The full 53-colour Acoustock sample box is available for clients presenting to end-users or specifying across multiple projects — a comprehensive, beautifully presented reference ideal for client meetings and design reviews.

Specification and Project Pricing

For larger projects, contractor accounts or project-specific pricing, contact the Plastock team directly. Early engagement at specification stage is recommended — particularly for projects requiring cut-to-size conversion or mixed-thickness specifications.

12. Specification Checklist

• Panel size: 8’ x 4’ standard, or 10’4” where available
• Thickness: 9mm (stock, NRC 0.80), 12mm or 24mm (coming soon)
• Colour(s): reference against Acoustock colour chart — order samples first
• Quantity: panels or square metres — confirm with Plastock team
• Fire classification: Acoustock is B-s1,d0 EN 13501-1:2018 — confirm against project spec
• Cut-to-size: if yes, supply CAD file and confirm lead time with Plastock
• Delivery: confirm site address, access and packaging requirements

Plastock Insight:
Many project delays originate from incomplete specifications. Confirming fire classification, colour accuracy and cut-to-size requirements before ordering eliminates the most common sources of on-site problems.

13. Summary — Why Acoustock?

Acoustock PET felt is Plastock’s own range, built around the requirements of UK architects, designers, contractors and facilities managers. No other UK PET felt supplier combines this acoustic performance, fire rating, colour range and stock availability in a single off-the-shelf product.

• NRC 0.80 — independently tested, above the market typical of 0.75
• B-s1,d0 fire rating — with s1 (lowest) smoke classification
• 53 stock colours — the broadest UK off-the-shelf PET felt range; next day or same day
• 50%+ recycled PET, E0 formaldehyde, zero carbon/waste manufacturing, fully recyclable.
• Cut-to-size available — precision digital cutting, typically within two weeks.
• ISO 9001:2015 registered — quality-assured supply chain.
• Range expanding — 12mm, 19mm and larger panel formats coming.

For specifiers, Acoustock removes the lead-time anxiety from acoustic panel specification. For contractors, panels can be called off as a live fit-out progresses. For designers, it means 53 colours on a shelf, tested to NRC 0.80, available in 24 hrs.

Request samples, get a quote, or speak to the team:
01494 449 975 • sales@plastock.co.uk