Plastics: market research reports

Plastics are manufactured from a wide range of synthetic organic solids to fabricate industrial and consumer products. Plastics are commonly high molecular weight polymers with performance or structural additives that improve the material quality or reduce the production costs for the plastic. Plastic monomers can be either synthetic or natural organic compounds. The raw materials needed to create most plastics are derived from fossil fuels, petroleum or oil and natural gas namely, and are consequently known as petrochemicals.

Renewable sources of raw materials and feedstocks for plastics production has been explored with biorenewable sources such as cellulose, starches, and oils, particularly algal oils.

Plastics can be classified as thermosetting polymers and thermoplastics depending upon their post-manufacturing malleability and flexibility, with thermosets capable of only one solidification process. Thermoplastics include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Plastics can be further categorized by their chemical structure and molecular units that form the polymer side chains and back bones. Structural characteristics determine the performance features and durability of plastics and therefore determine industrial and commercial applications. Some significant categories include acrylics, polyesters, silicones, polyurethanes, and halogenated plastics. Acrylics are the basis of adhesives, paints, and construction materials. Polyester is used to make a number of fabrics, as well as tarpaulin, holograms, and liquid crystal displays. Silcones are used to make sealants, adhesives, lubricants, or insulations. Polyurethanes are used to make fibers, seals, carpet underlay, adhesives, and hard plastic parts for electronic instruments. Halogenated plastics are used as solvents, pesticides, and fire-resistant oils.