This invention relates to a process for crystallizing and solid state polymerizing polymers, in the form of amorphous pellets by coating the pellets with a coating of 50 to 250 ppm of an anti-sticking agent to the amorphous pellets. The invention also relates to such a coated pellet. The coated pellet is then heated such that its surface is at least partially crystallized or essentially crystallized. Next it is solid state polymerize to a high molecular weight. The capacity of the crystallization and solid state polymerization process can be increased by using higher temperatures when the anti-sticking agent is present as compared to a normal process using the same polymer. The preferred anti-sticking agents are chosen to give high clarity to articles made from the high molecular weight pellet. The preferred anti-slicking agent is fumed silica, but other organic and inorganic coatings may be used.