The materials provided by plastic resin distributors are generally divided into two types: commodity resins and engineering resins.
Commodity resins are those that are widely distributed in large quantities, usually at a relatively low cost. They include:
- Polyethylene, which is used to make everything from clear food wrap to shopping bags and detergent bottles to car fuel tanks
- Polypropylene, used for packaging, consumer goods, automotive components, textiles and medical applications
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which can be found in pipes, siding, medical devices, raincoats, toys and school supplies
- Polystyrene, found in food packaging, laboratory ware, appliances, electronics and gardening pots
- Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), which is used as a substitute for glass in products like shatterproof windows, skylights, illuminated signs and aircraft canopies
Engineering resins generally exhibit better mechanical and/or thermal properties than commodity plastics. These resins include:
- Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), which is used in electronic housings, auto parts, consumer products, pipe fittings and toys
- Polycarbonate, used in eye protection and other projectile-resistant viewing and lighting applications that require much higher impact resistance than glass provides
- Polyamide (nylon), found in textiles, auto components, carpets, kitchen utensils and sportswear
There’s also a group of plastics sometimes referred to as super engineering resins, which offer even stronger characteristics than the engineering resins listed above. This group includes materials like:
- Polyphenylene sulfide, which is used in appliances, auto parts and electronic and electrical applications
- Polyether ether ketone (PEEK), used in demanding aerospace, automotive and medical applications
- Liquid crystal polymer, which is used to replace such materials as ceramics, metals, composites and other plastics in applications that require resistance to high temperatures and chemicals
Taking all these materials together, packaging accounts for the largest end use of plastics, followed in no particular order by:
- Consumer goods
- Construction
- Automotive
- Agriculture
The U.S. plastics market is gauged at more than $80 billion, with a global market worth an estimated $694 billion.
The plastics resin distributors that support this industry comprise a wide range of companies, including firms like The Materials Group. Distributors like these often offer far more than just resin. They can provide consultative services like resin recommendations and process reviews, along with laboratory testing and warehousing, among other offerings.
Visit www.polysort.com for a comprehensive list of plastic resin distributors.