It gets really bad press, but we use so many plastic products in everyday life that we hardly even notice; it’s a crucial material, especially in the construction and automotive sectors.
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How important is plastic?
A lightweight material, it’s easy to transport and handle, helping to reduce production costs. It can also withstand severe weather conditions, making it suitable for outdoor use.
Durable and resistant to corrosion, chemicals and abrasion, plastic can be used in various industries where it will be exposed to a harsh environment.
A versatile material, it can be moulded into the required shape and size to produce customised products that would be hard to manufacture otherwise.
A cost-effective solution to manufacture large quantities of products at a low cost; many plastics are recyclable, which is a valuable factor to meet the needs of environmentally friendly manufacturing, as it reduces waste and prevents items from being dumped at landfill sites or carelessly discarded in the ocean.
How is plastic used?
There are many different types of plastic used in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, construction, electrical and electronic applications, furniture, military, and medical and healthcare.
Constant innovations occur through the use of plastics that are revolutionising industry. Scientists are developing new plastics that have increasingly advanced properties, such as being able to change colour and shape. Others will react to stimulus such as light and temperature. They are set to revolutionise industries such as aerospace, medicine, construction and more.
All the time, scientists are mindful of the growing need for eco-friendly materials, leading to the evolution of bioplastics made from renewable sources such as sugarcane, corn and potatoes to reduce the use of fossil fuels.
Automotive and Aerospace
The use of plastics in transportation accounts for 7% of their total global use in industry, with automotives making up the biggest sector.
Plastic is particularly useful because it is corrosion-resistant, so can withstand all types of weather conditions and won’t rust like metal.
In the automotive sector, it is used to make interior and exterior parts such as engine components, dashboards, seat covers, grills, bumpers, body panels and more.
Lightweight, it is more fuel-efficient - a benefit that’s particularly important in the aerospace sector. Transporting people safely and cost-effectively by air is a vital part of modern living and using plastic parts and components in aircraft can reduce fuel consumption significantly.
Plastic is used for interior and exterior aircraft parts such as seals for the oxygen system, transparent windows, canopies and spline adaptors to transmit torque with minimum wear.
Construction
The construction sector accounts for 16% of total industrial plastic use including roofing, insulation, pipes and flooring materials.
Plastic construction materials are durable, lightweight and easily installed, making them suitable for wide scale building projects.
Plastic pipes are used for plumbing because they can withstand high pressure, extreme temperatures and are corrosion resistant.
Insulating walls and roofs with plastic materials can improve energy efficiency by reducing heat loss. It is commonly used in both residential and commercial buildings all over the world.
Electrical and electronic applications
Electrical and electronic applications make up 4% of plastic uses in industry. We find plastics wherever there’s electricity in every aspect of our life, at home, work and play.
Kitchen appliances such as microwave ovens, toasters, washing machines, kettles and more rely heavily on plastics.
In the lounge, the TV and sound systems that are so important to our leisure time rely on plastic components. At work, our laptop, mobile devices and communication systems have plastic parts.
Plastic is at the root of progress, as it helps to make electrical items more durable, lighter, safer, quieter, aesthetically pleasing and increasingly eco-friendly.
Medical and healthcare
Thanks to its lightweight, low cost and high performance benefits; plastic is used for a wide variety of medical and healthcare products such as surgical instruments, prosthetics, implants, catheters, vials, beakers and more.
Medical grade plastics make up the largest segment in healthcare, manufacturing items such as blood bags, syringes, heart valves, dialysis machines and wound dressing.
In terms of industrial sectors, healthcare accounts for only a “small percentage” of overall plastics use across the board, according to studies, but is vital for the future of the sector.
Furniture
Data shows 12% of plastic use in industry is placed into “other” miscellaneous categories, such as furniture manufacturing for household and commercial items, including upholstery and bedding.
Lightweight, durable and cheap in comparison with other materials, plastic is a popular choice to keep costs down and make long-lasting items for the home and workplace.
Military
A crucial part of the military sector, plastic is used to make body armour, helmets, communications equipment, missiles and parts and components for warships, tanks, submarines and aircraft.
The use of plastics for military operations makes up a relatively small but vital percentage of its overall use in industry.
Evolution of technology
As technology continues to develop, new plastic materials with advanced properties are being manufactured and tested all the time.
Plastic continues to be crucial in multiple industries and scientists are continually working on new products, while always being mindful of their environmental impact.