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Everything About Plastic and Plastic Production

One of the most important plastics fair in Türkiye and Europe, Plast Eurasia İstanbul 2024, will take place at the TÜYAP Fair and Congress Center this year from December 4-7. Bringing together domestic and international plastic manufacturers, suppliers, and other industry professionals, the fair is a key industry event where innovations in the plastic sector are showcased, new collaborations are formed, and the latest technological developments are exhibited. Don’t miss the largest and most comprehensive event in the industry. Get your Online Ticket now!

You can find answers to many questions about plastics and the plastic industry on our page. Gaining detailed knowledge about plastic production processes and types of plastic is essential to understand the environmental impact of plastics and explore sustainable alternatives.

How is Plastic Produced?

Plastic is a polymeric material produced by processing certain chemical elements found in nature, such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, through various methods. Introduced into our lives with the advancement of the chemical industry in the 20th century, plastics are divided into two categories: thermoplastics and thermosets. Thermoplastics are types of plastic that soften when heated and harden when cooled, allowing them to be reshaped multiple times, while thermosets are plastics that cannot be softened again once they are molded and hardened.

The plastic production process typically uses natural materials like cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, and crude oil. Plastic manufacturing begins with a distillation process in an oil refinery, which involves separating heavy crude oil into lighter fractions based on the principle of fractionation. “Each fraction is a mixture of hydrocarbon chains that differ in molecule size and structure.” The processes of polymerization and polycondensation, which require specific catalysts, are the two main steps in plastic production. Defined as organic materials made up of polymer chains, plastics come in various types. The main types of plastics include:

  • Bio-based plastics
  • Biodegradable plastics
  • Engineering plastics
  • Elastomers
  • Epoxy resins
  • Expanded polystyrene
  • Fluoropolymers
  • Polyolefins
  • Polyethylene terephthalate
  • Polystyrene
  • Polyurethanes
  • Polyvinyl chloride
  • Thermoplastics
  • Thermosets

For detailed information on types of plastics, you can visit our Types of Plastics page right away.

Engineering Plastics

With greater mechanical and thermal durability compared to ordinary plastics and typically used in demanding industrial applications, high-performance plastic types are known as engineering plastics. Engineering plastics manufacturers serve various sectors that require resistance to heavy loads, extreme temperatures, friction, and chemical effects. Looking at the areas of use for engineering plastics, they are widely applied in industries ranging from technology and automotive to healthcare, aerospace, heavy industry, and food sectors, with different types of engineering plastics employed in each. Properties of engineering plastics include high mechanical durability, heat and wear resistance, chemical resistance, lightweight, and ease of shaping and processing. These characteristics set engineering plastics apart from ordinary plastics. Here is a list of some common types of engineering plastics:

  • Polyamide (PA)
  • Cast nylon
  • Polyethylene (PE)
  • Polypropylene (PP)
  • Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
  • Plexiglass
  • Delrin (POM)
  • Teflon (PTFE)
  • Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)

What is a Polymer?

A polymer is a large molecule formed by the chemical bonding of small, simple building blocks called monomers in long chains. Polymers are found in a wide range of materials such as plastics, rubber, nylon, polyester, and acrylic. Polymers are categorized into two types: natural and synthetic. Natural polymers are those that occur naturally and are formed through biological processes; for example, cellulose is a natural polymer. Examples of synthetic polymers, which are produced through chemical methods in laboratory or industrial settings, include polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polystyrene (PS). Polymers are extensively used in the polymer plastics industry, especially in sectors like packaging, automotive, construction, healthcare, textiles, and electronics. They also serve as alternatives to traditional materials such as metal and glass. Properties of polymers include flexibility and durability, resistance to many chemicals, low density and light weight, and insulation. For plastic manufacturers, polymers are like building blocks since most plastic materials are produced through the processing of various types of polymers. For example, one of the most widely used polymers, polypropylene (PP), is used in products such as food storage containers, toys, textiles, medical devices, and automobile parts. At the 33rd International Istanbul Plastics Industry Fair, Plast Eurasia, you can explore numerous stands showcasing polymer raw materials, meet polymer producers, and have the opportunity to establish various business partnerships.

What is Raw Plastic Material and How is It Produced?

Raw plastic material refers to the fundamental substances used in the production of plastic products. Raw plastic materials are typically composed of polymers and undergo various chemical processes to be transformed into the plastic products we use daily. They are generally derived from fossil fuels and biological sources. Some examples of types of raw plastic materials include polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyphthalamide, polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and polyoxymethylene. The characteristics of these raw plastic materials include:

  • Most raw plastic materials are lightweight and flexible, which allows for the production of durable yet lightweight products.
  • Many plastics are resistant to acids, bases, and various chemicals.
  • Raw plastic materials possess insulating properties against electricity and heat.
  • These materials can be melted at high temperatures, enabling the creation of products in desired shapes.

The production of raw plastic materials begins with obtaining monomers (the molecular units that make up plastic) used in plastic production. These monomers are derived from petroleum or natural gas. Next, these monomers combine through chemical reactions to form long-chain molecules called polymers. In the following stage, various additives (such as plasticizers, stabilizers, and colorants) are incorporated to make the plastics more durable, flexible, or colorful. The resulting plastic polymers are then granulated or powdered and later transformed into final products through methods such as injection molding, extrusion, or casting. Click to closely examine the plastic machinery used in the plastic production process!

Recycling Codes of Plastics

Plastics are often marked with recycling codes, which also indicate the type of plastic. Here are the recycling codes for plastics:

  • PET or PETE: Easily recyclable.
  • HDPE: Easily recyclable.
  • PVC: Difficult and limited in recyclability.
  • LDPE: Recycled at a limited number of facilities.
  • PP: Recyclable.
  • PS: Difficult to recycle.
  • Other: Recycling process is complex.

For more information about plastics and plastic production processes, we invite you to Plast Eurasia İstanbul 2024 Fair!