a process for producing high quality tpa suitable for pet feedstock material from recycled polyester . the process includes the steps of depolymerizing the polyester to form dmt ; separating the dmt from secondary materials ; and hydrolyzing the dmt to form tpa . in a preferred embodiment of the invention the recycled polyester is contacted with a component monomer or oligomer thereof to liquefy the polyester prior to depolymerizing the polyester .