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singhalindustriesproducts · 9 months ago

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Introduction to LDPE Film Manufacturers

LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) film is widely used in packaging applications due to its flexibility, transparency, and moisture resistance. LDPE film manufacturers are responsible for producing a wide range of LDPE films used in various industries, including food packaging, agriculture, and retail.

LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) films are among the most versatile and widely used packaging materials across industries. They owe their popularity to a combination of favorable properties, including flexibility, transparency, moisture resistance, and cost-effectiveness. Let's delve deeper into LDPE films and explore their applications, manufacturing process, and sustainability considerations.

Properties of LDPE Films

LDPE films possess several key properties that make them ideal for packaging applications:

1. Flexibility: LDPE films are highly flexible, allowing them to conform to the shape of packaged items and accommodate irregular shapes and sizes.

2. Transparency: LDPE films offer excellent transparency, enabling consumers to see the contents of the package, which is particularly important for retail packaging applications.

3. Moisture Resistance: LDPE films provide effective moisture barrier properties, protecting packaged goods from moisture damage during storage and transportation.

4. Chemical Resistance: LDPE films exhibit resistance to various chemicals, oils, and greases, making them suitable for packaging a wide range of products, including food and pharmaceuticals.

5. Toughness: Despite their thinness, LDPE films are remarkably tough and puncture-resistant, providing reliable protection for packaged goods against external impacts and abrasions.

Applications of LDPE Films

LDPE films find extensive use in a diverse array of applications across industries:

- Food Packaging: LDPE films are commonly used for packaging food products such as fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and baked goods. Their moisture resistance helps extend the shelf life of perishable foods.

- Retail Packaging: LDPE films are widely employed for retail packaging of consumer goods, including electronics, toys, clothing, and household items. Their transparency allows products to be showcased attractively on store shelves.

- Industrial Packaging: LDPE films are used for industrial packaging applications such as wrapping pallets, bundling goods, and protecting items during storage and transportation.

- Agricultural Films: LDPE films are utilized in agriculture for applications such as greenhouse covers, mulching films, and silage bags, providing protection against pests, weeds, and adverse weather conditions.

Manufacturing Process of LDPE Films

The manufacturing process of LDPE films involves several steps:

1. Polymerization: LDPE is produced through the polymerization of ethylene monomers under high pressure and temperature conditions, resulting in the formation of long chains of polyethylene molecules.

2. Extrusion: The polymerized LDPE resin is melted and extruded through a die to form a continuous film. The thickness of the film can be controlled by adjusting the speed of extrusion and the gap between the rollers.

3. Cooling and Treatment: The extruded film is cooled using chilled rollers or water baths to solidify the material. It may undergo additional treatments such as corona treatment or surface coating to improve adhesion and printability.

Sustainability Considerations

While LDPE films offer numerous advantages, sustainability is an increasingly important consideration in packaging. Manufacturers are exploring various strategies to enhance the sustainability of LDPE films, including:

- Recyclability: LDPE films can be recycled through specialized recycling programs, reducing the demand for virgin materials and minimizing waste sent to landfills.

- Biodegradability: Some manufacturers are developing biodegradable LDPE films that break down more readily in the environment, reducing their environmental impact.

- Reduced Material Usage: Manufacturers are optimizing packaging designs and using thinner LDPE films to reduce material usage while maintaining product protection and integrity.

The Process of LDPE Film Manufacturing

LDPE film manufacturing involves several steps, including polymerization, extrusion, cooling, and finishing. Raw LDPE resin is melted and extruded through a die to form a continuous film, which is then cooled and treated to achieve the desired thickness and properties.

Polyethylene Shrink Film Manufacturers: Crafting Quality Solutions

Polyethylene shrink film manufacturers specialize in producing shrink films used for packaging products of various shapes and sizes. These films are designed to shrink tightly around the packaged item when heat is applied, providing tamper-evident and aesthetically pleasing packaging solutions.

Understanding the Production of Shrink Wrap Rolls

Shrink wrap rolls are manufactured using a similar process to LDPE film, with the addition of additives that enable the film to shrink when heated. These rolls are available in various widths, lengths, and thicknesses to meet the diverse needs of businesses across industries.

Applications of LDPE Films and Shrink Wrap Rolls

LDPE films and shrink wrap rolls are used in a wide range of applications, including:

- Food packaging

- Beverage packaging

- Industrial packaging

- Agricultural films

- Construction films

- Retail packaging

- Tamper-evident packaging

Quality Standards and Certifications

Manufacturers adhere to stringent quality standards and certifications to ensure the safety and performance of their products. Common certifications include ISO 9001 for quality management and ISO 14001 for environmental management.

Sustainability Practices in Manufacturing

LDPE film and shrink wrap roll manufacturers are increasingly adopting sustainable practices to reduce their environmental impact. This includes using recycled materials, optimizing production processes, and implementing energy-efficient technologies.

Challenges Faced by Manufacturers

Despite advancements in technology, manufacturers face challenges such as fluctuating raw material prices, regulatory compliance, and competition from overseas suppliers.

Future Trends in LDPE Film and Shrink Wrap Roll Manufacturing

The future of LDPE film and shrink wrap roll manufacturing lies in innovation, sustainability, and customization. Manufacturers are investing in research and development to create biodegradable films, recyclable materials, and advanced packaging solutions.

Conclusion

LDPE film manufacturers, polyethylene shrink film manufacturers, and shrink wrap roll manufacturers play a vital role in the packaging industry, providing essential solutions for businesses worldwide. As consumer demands evolve and sustainability becomes increasingly important, manufacturers must adapt and innovate to meet the needs of the market.

FAQs about LDPE Film and Shrink Wrap Roll Manufacturers

Q: What is LDPE film?

LDPE film, or Low-Density Polyethylene film, is a flexible and transparent material used for packaging various products.

Q: What are the primary applications of shrink wrap rolls?

Shrink wrap rolls are commonly used for packaging food, beverages, consumer goods, and industrial products.

Q: Are LDPE films recyclable?

Yes, LDPE films can be recycled through specialized recycling programs.

Q: How do manufacturers ensure the quality of shrink wrap rolls?

Manufacturers conduct quality control tests to ensure that shrink wrap rolls manufacturer meet industry standards for strength, clarity, and shrinkage properties.

Q: What are some emerging trends in LDPE film manufacturing?

Emerging trends in LDPE film manufacturing include the development of biodegradable films, sustainable packaging solutions, and smart packaging technologies.

#ldpe film #ldpe film manufacture

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greenpathrecovery · 2 years ago

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Recycled PP - Greenpath Recovery

Greenpath Recovery is a direct, multi-material USA-based plastics processor. We can custom-compound recovered plastic/resin feedstock to meet specific requirements, and we also offer a range of recycled plastic pellets perfect for end-of-use manufacturing. These final recycled plastic pellets are often high-grade, environmentally-friendly materials, available at less cost than virgin plastics. This includes resins such as LDPE, LLDPE, MDPE, HDPE, PP, BOPP, COPP, HOPP, PET, RPET, PS, PC, EPS, GPPS and HIPS. Visit our website for more information about Recycled PP.

#Recycled PP

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superolefins · 2 years ago

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LDPE / LLDPE Polybags For Pharma

Super Olefins sweats for the once two decades making its products one of the most sought-after products in the sphere. The products have high-operation shrink wraps of paper board and reams, glass bottles, collation shrink, and others.

We've been manufacturing bags and flicks for medicinal and food packaging diligence, which bear strict adherence to exact specifications and the loftiest quality. All of our bags are manufactured with 100 high abecedarian resins using good manufacturing practices. Super Olefins Private Ltd is an ISO 90012015 local installation. Resins used to manufacture Our Polybags and Drumliners meet FDA 21CFR177.1 520 regulations as well as being EU biddable.

We understand that pharmaceutical assiduity has different requirements when it comes to its packaging conditions, but safety and integrity are absolutely vital in this field. That’s why all our packaging is made from high-grade plastic which has been defined as suitable for pharmaceutical use. The plastic is largely inert, icing your products stay in excellent condition, and safely packaged until they’re demanded.

Utmost of our lay-flat poly bags are made from flawless tubing with no gashes or side seals that can rip. These flat poly bags have an open top and can be fluently heat-sealed or closed with tape recording or twist ties.

Our bags are featherlight and flexible, meaning they will cover your goods from dust and scrapes. And, they’re made from virgin low-viscosity polyethylene( LDPE), so they meet FDA and USDA conditions for food operations. utmost of our present pharmaceutical guests prefer bags of consistency of 100 microns( 4 mils) or further.

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rawtechtrade123 · 2 years ago

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Explore a wide range of high-quality plastic materials at RawTech Trade. Shop the High quality plastic materials like VIRGIN-LDPE 2023JN, OFF GRADE-HDPE FILM RESIN, NEAR PRIME-PP RCE333NP and more from verified and trusted plastic sellers. Discover the best products now.

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masterbatchmanufacturer · 2 years ago

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#BAJAJ - PLAST CRISTAL Bajaj Plast crystal fillers are a perfect blend of ultra fine particle sizeinorganic transparent powder #NaSO4 with Virgin #Polyethylene & amp; performanceadditives at right proportions to suffice the properties required for the endapplications. Our feedstock raw materials are imported from well renownedsources being used worldwide with consistent product quality and best inclass service standards always.

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 It is compatible with all kinds of Polyolefinic resins such as LDPE, LLDPE,HDPE , PP and also Recycled Polymers in order to enhance the volumetricoutput & economize the final product cost by all means without affectingnecessary quality parameters essential for the end applications.

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blueweave8 · 3 years ago

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Plastic Recycling Market Demand and Growth

A study, recently conducted by the strategic consulting and market research firm, BlueWeave Consulting, revealed that the global plastic recycling market was worth USD 44.3 billion in 2021 and is further projected to reach USD 76.5 billion by 2028, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.6% during the forecast period (2022-2028). Several factors drive the growth of the global plastic recycling market, such as the increasing demand for plastics, the growing consumption of plastics in lightweight components, and growing awareness regarding the negative environmental impact of plastics. In addition to this, government support and an increase in recycled plastic products are presenting lucrative opportunities for the global plastic recycling market.

Growing Plastic Production and Use Supporting Growth of Global Plastic Recycling Market The use of plastic is so ubiquitous in our daily lives that we cannot imagine a world without it. Plastics are used across many industries due to their properties such as impact resistance, ease of transformation, insulation, ease of processing, high tensile strength, resistance to chemicals, moisture, corrosion, and more. According to National Geographic, around 50% of the total plastic ever manufactured has been produced in the last 15 years with plastic production surging from 2.3 million tons in 1950 to 448 million tons in 2015. National Geographic has further projected plastic production to get doubled by 2050.

The growing application of plastic in packaging, especially food packaging, has propelled the demand for plastics even more. According to the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), 5 trillion single-use plastic bags are used worldwide every year. Moreover, four global food & beverages companies, i.e., Coca-Cola, Nestle, Danone, and Unilever generated around 6.06 million tons of plastic packaging waste in 2019. With the use and demand for plastic growing, the demand for plastic recycling is expected to go up during the forecast period, thus, driving the growth of the global plastic recycling market.

Request for Sample Report @ https://www.blueweaveconsulting.com/report/global-plastic-recycling-market-bwc19133/report-sample

The Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Segment Dominates the Market

Based on materials, the global plastic recycling market is segmented into polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and others. The PET segment dominated the market in 2020 and held the largest share due to a large number of plastic bottles used worldwide. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) estimates that around one million plastic drinking bottles are purchased every minute, and PET is the primary material utilized in making plastic water bottles. The high recycling rate of PET is another reason for a dominant share of the segment in the market. According to PET Resin Association, the PET recycling rate is 31% in the United States and 52% in Europe. The segment is expected to retain its leading position during the forecast period as well owing to the growing use of PET in the packaging of food & beverages, salad dressings, peanut butter, cooking oils, mouthwash, shampoo, liquid hand soap, window cleaner, and even tennis balls.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Global Plastic Recycling Market

COVID-19 has negatively affected the growth of the global plastic recycling market as demand for face shields, packaging, and other plastic products skyrocketed during the pandemic. Fukutomi Recycling Ltd., a plastics recycler in Hong Kong, reports that extended lockdowns in South-East Asia have left only 30% of recyclers operating, and many are only operating at 50% of their recycling capacity. Furthermore, the demand for virgin plastics surged dramatically, causing further problems for the plastic recycling industry. Global lockdown severely affected global manufacturing industries and raw material supply, resulting in dramatic effects on the global plastic recycling industry. Additionally, insufficient container forwarding capacities, longer transit times due to blank sailings, and drastic increases in freight rates also affected the plastic recycling market in 2020 and 2021. Freight shortages are expected to persist until the first half of 2022, and a global energy crisis may further slow the global plastic recycling market.

Global Plastic Recycling Market: Regional Insights

The global plastic recycling market is segmented into five regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Among these regions, the Asia-Pacific region dominated the global plastic recycling market in 2020 due to the large volume of plastic waste generated in the region and the increasing number of plastic recycling initiatives in the region. Approximately 140 million tonnes of plastic waste will be generated in the region by 2030, according to United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD). Furthermore, new initiatives such as the South Asia Cooperative Environment Program (SACEP), Surakimu Ganga, Rethink+, and others are also helping to increase awareness about plastic recycling and are expected to contribute to the growth of the plastic recycling market in the region over the forecast period.

The leading players in the plastic recycling market are KW Plastics, Veolia, Custom Polymers, Plastipak Holdings, The Coca-Cola Company Incorporated, Suez, B. Schoenberg & Co., Fresh Pak Corporation, B&B Plastics, Green Line Polymers, Ultra Poly Corporation, Clear Path Recycling, Jayplas, MBA Polymers, RJM International Inc., CarbonLite Industries LLC, Envision Plastics Industries LLC, ReVital Polymers and Other prominent players. Market competitors compete on the basis of product quality as well as new and cost-effective manufacturing processes that can improve yield and optimize the process for more and better output.

Recent Developments

In October 2021, ExxonMobil announced its plan of building its first, large-scale plastic waste advanced recycling facility in its Baytown, Texas plant. The plastic recycling plant is expected to start operations by year-end 2022. Upon completion, the facility will be one of the largest plastic waste recycling facilities in North America with an initial planned capacity to recycle 30,000 metric tons of plastic waste per year.

About Us

BlueWeave Consulting provides all-inclusive Market Intelligence (MI) Solutions to businesses regarding various products and services online & offline. We offer comprehensive market research reports by analyzing qualitative and quantitative data to boost your business solution's performance. BWC has built its reputation from the scratches by delivering quality inputs and nourishing long-lasting relationships with its clients. We are a promising digital MI solutions company providing agile assistance to make your business endeavors successful.

BlueWeave Consulting & Research Pvt. Ltd

+1 866 658 6826 | +1 425 320 4776 | +44 1865 60 0662

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#Plastic Recycling Market

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architectnews · 3 years ago

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The Dezeen guide to plastic in architecture, design and interiors

Thinking of using plastic in your project? Our latest Dezeen guide includes more than 11 types of plastic commonly used in architecture, design and interiors, with links to hundreds of projects for inspiration.

Plastics are among the most versatile materials in existence. Defined by their plasticity, they have long carbon chains called polymers at their backbone and can be moulded, extruded or cast into any desired shape from films to textile fibres.

They can be divided into thermosetting plastics, which never soften once moulded, and thermoplastics, which can be melted and reshaped, making them more suited to recycling.

Plastics "are a co-product of fossil fuels"

Although certain plastics – such as rubber, which is derived from the rubber plant – occur naturally, most modern plastics are synthetic and more than 99 per cent are derived from fossil fuels.

This helps to make plastics more affordable than most other materials and sees them used to create millions of tonnes of single-use items every year.

"Part of why plastics are so cheap is that they are a co-product of fossil fuels," explained designer Charlotte McCurdy, who has created a bioplastic made from algae.

"Petroleum or natural gas is pumped out of the ground and at the refinery, it is broken up into different lengths of molecule and catalytically cracked into useful monomers."

79 per cent of all plastic is dumped in landfills

This refining process yields not just fuels such as gasoline and kerosene but also chemical byproducts such as ethylene and propylene, which are the most important feedstocks used to create plastics.

Once discarded, 79 per cent of all plastic is dumped in landfills or in the environment, where it will remain for thousands of years. Although this contributes to pollution, it also helps to sequester the carbon contained in the materials and prevents it from entering the atmosphere.

But when incinerated, as 12 per cent of all plastic waste is, this carbon is emitted as carbon dioxide.

Taken together, plastic production and incineration were responsible for more than 850 million metric tons of greenhouse-gas emissions in 2019.

However, with growing efforts to decarbonise the economy, non-fossil alternatives are being developed in a bid to meet the ever-increasing demand for plastics in a more sustainable way.

Read on to find out more about the most popular types of plastic and their possible substitutes.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

PET is a strong yet lightweight thermoplastic, originally developed in the 1940s by combining fossil fuel-derived ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid.

The resulting polymer can be blow-moulded to form single-use bottles, stretched into a film for food packaging or spun into fibres to create polyester fabric, which accounts for more than half the world's synthetic fibres.

Designers often make use of PET for its translucent finish, with Marjan van Aubel turning it into solar panels that resemble stained glass windows while Beyond Space created a cavernous interior in an Amsterdam office using a kilometre's worth of semi-sheer polyester.

PET is also the most widely recycled plastic, at which point it is called rPET and can be used to create everything from backpacks (above) to Emeco's Navy chair.

See projects featuring PET ›

High-density polyethylene (HDPE)

HDPE is a variation of polyethylene, the most common type of plastic in use today. While its low-density equivalent LDPE is used to make plastic bags, HDPE is sturdier and more rigid, lending itself to everything from milk jugs to packaging for cleaning products and toiletries.

The material is also used to create plastic bottle caps and even when brands such as Evian claim they've created bottles from "100 per cent recycled plastic", their lid is generally made from virgin HDPE to guarantee durability.

However, the material can ultimately be recycled after use, with architecture firm Bulot+Collins using the waste plastic to form 1,400 thermochromic tiles for a floating diving platform while Space Available and techno DJ Peggy Gou turned 20 kilograms of HDPE collected from Bali's beaches into a chair.

See projects featuring HDPE ›

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Derived from chlorine and ethylene, PVC makes up about 20 per cent of all plastic produced. Due to its strength and durability, the material is commonly used to create pipes, gutters and window frames, which designers have variously recycled into flower vases and cladding (above).

With the addition of a phthalate plasticiser, PVC can be turned into flexible vinyl and used to form flooring, shower curtains and imitation leather. Swiss studio Bureau A made use of the material's pliability to create an inflatable nightclub while Formafantasma played with its translucency in a "deconstructed" stage design for fashion label Sportmax.

Due to additives like phthalate, vinyl is among the least recyclable plastics and has been linked to a number of health concerns. But latex made from the sap of the rubber tree can offer a renewable, plant-based alternative.

See projects featuring PVC ›

Polypropylene (PP)

Polypropylene is derived from propylene gas, a byproduct of the gasoline refining process, and is commonly used to form more rigid, hardwearing items such as Tupperware, kid's toys and outdoor furniture.

Designers began experimenting with the material in the 1950s to create monobloc chairs, injection moulded and formed from a single piece of material. Among the most notable designs are Verner Panton's Panton chair, the Air-Chair by Jasper Morrison and more recently the recycled polypropylene Bell Chair by Konstantin Grcic for Magis, which is manufactured in less than a minute.

The thermoplastic can also be spun into fibres to create surgical masks, which South Korean designer Haneul Kim has recycled to create a series of stackable stools, or used as a 3D-printing filament as in the performance sports tiles on Yinka Ilori's Bank Street Park basketball court.

See projects featuring PP ›

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic with carbonate groups in its chemical structure, making the material exceptionally resistant to impacts and temperature changes.

Often used to create bulletproof windows, it can be engineered to be almost as clear as glass while being lighter and up to 250 times stronger.

Polycarbonate sheets are popular among architects and interiors designers for their ability to maximise natural light while maintaining privacy, as well as improving a building's thermal insulation.

Francesc Rifé Studio used the sheeting to divide an old textile factory into offices for the team behind Michelin-starred restaurant El Bulli while La Shed Architecture clad an entire barn (above) in the translucent material to give cows "a better quality of life".

See projects featuring polycarbonate ›

Polyurethane (PU)

Polyurethanes are a diverse class of plastic polymers derived from isocyanic acid. Most commonly, PU takes the form of a flexible foam used for mattresses and upholstery while a more rigid variety is turned into trainer soles for brands from Adidas to Allbirds.

As a coating, lacquer or varnish, it can waterproof fabrics and protect wooden furniture as well as helping leather alternatives such as Piñatex withstand wear and tear.

Design studio Layer made use of PU's adhesive qualities to create a heat-sealing tape that bonds textiles without the need for stitches. And spun into fibres, it forms the main ingredient in spandex, which is used to make sportswear as well as more boundary-pushing items such as fabric-cast concrete moulds and wearables that can be stuck to the body like plasters (above).

Polyurethanes are not easily recycled and can contain potentially carcinogenic compounds that irritate the skin and respiratory system.

See projects featuring PU ›

Fibreglass

Also known as glass-reinforced plastic or GRP, fibreglass is made by taking thin glass filaments, either loose or woven into cloth, and encasing them within a petrochemical resin.

The composite material is lighter and stronger than steel while being cheaper and more flexible than carbon fibre. As a result, fibreglass is used to create products where performance is key, including skis as well as the rotor blades of helicopters and wind turbines.

Architects have made use of the material to create tall, lightweight structures such as BIG's 2016 Serpentine Pavilion (above), which was formed from 1,900 translucent blocks, and a tubular installation designed by Neri Oxman and erected by a swarm of autonomous robots.

See projects featuring fibreglass ›

Polystyrene

In its original form, polystyrene is a hard, solid resin used to make disposable cutlery. But when solid beads of the plastic are exposed to hot steam, they puff up like popcorn to create expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam, mostly known by its brand name Styrofoam.

The rigid, closed-cell foam is 98 per cent air and has a low thermal conductivity, making EPS a widely used packaging for fragile items as well as for hot foods and drinks.

Once discarded, designers have been able to repurpose this packaging into sculptural chairs and beckoning cats, as well as melting it to create moulds. In architecture, it can be used for insulation or more experimental applications as in ADX's Soil House (above), which features walls of loose soil fixed in place with a foam spray.

See projects featuring polystyrene ›

Acrylic

Acrylic is a catchall term used to describe a range of different resins derived from acrylic acid. These can be suspended in water to create paint or spun into fibres that can be used to make clothing or as precursors for carbon fibre.

When cast into sheets, the thermoplastic is known as plexiglass and used as a low-cost, shatter-resistant alternative for glass due to its exceptional optical clarity. This application was pioneered during the second world war when it was used to form fighter jet windows and submarine periscopes.

More recently, English architecture firm HAL used giant plexiglass panels to form a 35-metre-high swimming pool bridge connecting two buildings in London (above) while designer Christophe Gernigon turned the material into suspended hoods for socially distanced dining.

Furniture made from acrylic can reflect light or disappear into its surroundings, as demonstrated by the see-through counter that Yota Kakuda created for Bake Kitasenju brasserie and Say Architects' ghostly interior for the Lika Lab boutique in Hangzhou.

See projects featuring acrylic ›

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, much like polystyrene, is a hard thermoplastic derived from a clear, liquid petrochemical called styrene. In ABS, this is combined with butadiene rubber to create a stronger, more durable material that can withstand compression better than concrete and has been injection moulded to form billions of hardwearing Lego bricks since 1963.

Due to its low melting point and the fact that it can be easily painted and glued, the plastic is also one of the most common additive manufacturing filaments and was used to form the world's first 3D-printed gun.

Extruded ABS pipes are more resilient than their PVC counterparts, making them suitable for constructing sewer systems and being repurposed into a corrugated seating collection by designer Phan Thao Dang (above).

See projects featuring ABS ›

Nylon

As the first fully man-made fibre, created in a US lab in the 1930s, nylon spawned an era of innovation in synthetic fabrics.

Although initially synonymous with stockings, the term nylon has since expanded to include a whole family of plastics composed of polyamides. These can be found in toothbrush bristles, films for food packaging and moulded components in cars and electronics.

However, the material's primary application remains in fibres, with SO-IL using nylon webbing to form a colourful hammock around 130 trees and Studio Drift crafting it into a kinetic sculpture for the Dutch National Touring Opera (above).

In recent years, a number of fashion brands including Prada have moved from virgin to regenerated nylon, also known under the brand name Econyl, in a bid to mitigate the material's environmental impact. Rayon can offer an alternative that is based on plant-based cellulose fibres rather than fossil fuels.

See projects featuring nylon ›

Plastic alternatives

With growing concerns around pollution and efforts to create a circular economy not reliant on fossil fuels, architects and designers are increasingly looking to substitute virgin and petroleum-based plastics for more sustainable alternatives.

This includes recycled plastic, which presents a huge source of untapped potential as only nine per cent of the 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic waste produced across the world have so far been turned into new products.

The material can be sourced from recycling plants or companies such as The Ocean Cleanup and Parley for the Oceans, which are fishing marine plastic from our oceans and waterways before teaming up with brands to turn it into sunglasses, trainers and more.

Bioplastics that use natural materials rather than crude oil as feedstocks present another possible alternative. Polylactic acid (PLA), the most common type of bioplastic, is generally made from corn starch or sugar cane while others are derived from algae or chitin.

Many are designed to be compostable or biodegradable under specific conditions to reduce the amount of plastic waste in the environment, although some experts have raised concerns that this could ultimately lead to soil and water acidification.

The post The Dezeen guide to plastic in architecture, design and interiors appeared first on Dezeen.

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