Plastics in Industry: Definition, Advantages, and Sustainable Applications
  
What Are Plastics?

The terms 'plastic' and 'synthetic material' are often used interchangeably in everyday language. However, the technically correct term is 'synthetic material', while 'plastic' is considered colloquial. In both cases, the same type of material is meant: one that is industrially manufactured and exceptionally versatile. 

Plastics are a vital part of modern supply chains, particularly for B2B companies in sectors such as packaging, logistics, chemicals and food. They offer a combination of technical performance and economic efficiency, meeting the highest standards of product protection, durability and sustainability.

Why are plastics indispensable in industry?

Plastics play a key role in industrial applications. In the packaging industry, in particular, they are impressive due to their combination of functionality, cost-effectiveness, and adaptability.

Key advantages of plastic materials

• Low weight
  Plastics are significantly lighter than glass or metal. This significantly reduces transport costs and lowers CO₂ emissions along the supply chain.
• High degree of design freedom and flexibility
  Virtually any geometric shape can be realised. Companies can tailor packaging, load carriers and technical components precisely to their products.
• Cost efficiency
  Compared to alternative materials, plastics offer significant cost advantages – both in terms of material costs and processing. 
• Protective function and durability
  Thanks to specific barrier properties, plastics provide reliable protection against moisture, oxygen and chemical influences. This is particularly important for sensitive products in the food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries.

An overview of the three main types of plastics

Thermoplastics – the most important plastics for packaging and logistics

Thermoplastics are plastics that can be moulded when heated and then harden when cooled. This process can be repeated as often as desired, which makes them particularly easy to recycle. They can also be welded and are extremely versatile. They are ubiquitous in everyday life, from packaging and containers to technical components.

Polyethylen (PE)

With a market share of around 38%, polyethylene is the most commonly used plastic worldwide. It is a polyolefin derived from petroleum. Polyethylene is characterised by its high chemical resistance, particularly to organic acids. This makes it suitable for numerous industrial applications where other plastics are unable to perform. The availability of different density variants enables the material to be adapted to specific requirements, ranging from flexible film solutions to dimensionally stable containers. Thanks to its versatile properties, polyethylene has a wide range of applications and is used in many products in the packaging and logistics industries.

HDPE (High Density Polyethylen)

• High rigidity and mechanical strength
• Ideal for dimensionally stable packaging, canisters, pallets and safety trays

LDPE (Low Density Polyethylen)

• Particularly flexible and stretchable
• Mainly used for films and flexible packaging solutions

Polypropylen (PP)

Polypropylene has a higher temperature resistance than polyethylene, making it particularly suitable for applications involving increased thermal stress. This property enables steam sterilisation of products, making polypropylene (PP) ideal for use in sensitive areas such as the food and pharmaceutical industries. Polypropylene also has good chemical resistance to numerous substances, and its transparent granules enable the production of visually appealing, high-quality end products.

Polyethylenterephthalat (PET)

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) belongs to the polyester family and is characterised by its high strength and exceptional transparency. Thanks to its high light transmission, PET is ideal for applications where it is important to see the contents clearly. These properties make PET the preferred choice for liquid packaging, particularly in the food industry. However, PET has limited resistance to organic acids, so this should be taken into account when selecting the material for specific applications.

Duroplaste – dimensionally stable and durable

Thermosets differ fundamentally from thermoplastics in that they cannot be reshaped once they have been cured. Their molecular chains are permanently covalently cross-linked, giving them very high dimensional stability. Consequently, thermosets are characterised by their hardness, high temperature resistance, and excellent chemical resistance. Subsequent shaping is not possible, so they can only be machined mechanically, i.e. by cutting. A well-known example of this type of plastic is casting resin, which is often used for technical components or decorative applications.

Elastomere – flexible and elastic

Elastomers are highly elastic plastics that can be stretched significantly before returning to their original shape. This elasticity is due to their special molecular structure, which allows for reversible deformation. Thanks to this property, elastomers are used primarily in applications where flexibility and resilience are crucial, such as tyres, sealing rings and rubber bands.

Recyclability and sustainability of plastics

The issue of plastics recycling is becoming increasingly important for companies. The three most important packaging plastics, PE, PP and PET, are fully recyclable and can be reused in closed recycling loops.

The prerequisites for this are:

• Functioning collection and return systems
• Efficient sorting
• High-quality processing of secondary raw materials

The use of recycled plastics saves primary raw materials and conserves fossil resources in a sustainable manner.

Plastics are an integral part of modern industrial processes. Thanks to their diversity, technical performance and cost-effectiveness, they are a key material for packaging, logistics and many other industries. Targeted additives are used to create highly functional materials, ranging from simple packaging to durable industrial goods. At the same time, recycling is crucial for ensuring a sustainable future. Our recycling division consistently focuses on using 100% recycled secondary raw materials to manufacture durable products. wie plastic pallets und safety trays. Our recycled products are made from empty, rinsed, returnable containers and PE regrind, actively contributing to the circular economy.