Plastic as a raw material
Plastic is a synthetic material made up of polymers – long molecular chains formed by monomers. Polymers can be derived from natural materials or completely synthetic. The production of plastics begins with crude oil or natural gas, which are refined into monomers and further into polymers. Plastic is a highly malleable material that can be molded into a variety of products using heat and pressure.
The properties of plastic, such as lightness, durability, flexibility and chemical resistance, make it ideal for a wide range of uses, such as packaging, transport, protection and storage.
Plastic Processing
Modifying the properties of plastic products is a complex process of combining different additives and modifying the structure of polymers to achieve the desired properties. This results in plastic products that meet the requirements and applications of different industries. Examples of methods and additives include bromine compounds and phosphates, which are added to plastic to improve its fire resistance. For example, flame retardant film is a very important material in industry. A UV stabilizer, on the other hand, creates UV-resistant plastic that can withstand the sun without brittle or fading.
Benefits of plastic
Plastic is a lightweight, durable and versatile material that has very versatile benefits in logistics – packaging, storage, protection and transport. For example, plastic packaging protects products effectively, reducing food waste and saving energy. Plastic recycling is a key part of the circular economy, and Finnish plastic processing is actively working to promote this. In fact, plastic circulates very efficiently – plastic raw material can be recycled up to 10 times and its further processing is relatively easy. By recycling plastic, we reduce the need for virgin raw materials and reduce our carbon footprint.
Responsible use of plastic
Plastics companies are constantly investing in new technologies and innovations that reduce their environmental impact. Ecodesign and recycling solutions are key factors that help us achieve our sustainability goals. The development and enhancement of the circular economy of plastics is important to us. We have great circular economy expertise in Finland, and you can read more about the circular economy of plastics here.
Read more about the plastic
On the website of the Finnish Plastics Industries Federation, you can find a wide range of information about both the plastics industry and plastic as a raw material.