A polypropylene plastic container.
Polypropylene plastic is generally divided into three broad categories of use. This includes the automotive plastics industry, packaging plastics, and all other uses combined. Global demand for polypropylene-based products is second only to polyethylene, and as of 2009, 36.5 million tons of plastic were produced annually. The largest share, 54%, went to the packaging industry, with the next largest demand for polypropylene supplies globally being automotive assembly, which accounted for 15.6% of the total volume produced. Asian countries lead the consumption of 51.9% of the polypropylene plastic produced in 2009, with China and India in particular seen as the main global engines of growth.
Polypropylene case.
The low weight and good mechanical properties of polypropylene plastic make it an ideal material for car construction. Reduces the overall weight of cars where it is replaced by other interior materials in dashboards, door panels and cushioning. Because polypropylene plastic has good corrosion and weather resistance, it is also used for exterior trim and bumpers, and can be pre-stained to remove some of the car’s paint job.
Polypropylene plastic is used in some fishing nets.
Plastics are widely adopted when they have versatile uses, and polypropylene plastic expands by being manufactured in three different specification ranges. Homopolymers are general-purpose types of plastic used in fishing nets, polypropylene rugs, furniture, and more. Block copolymers are versions of plastic with improved impact and temperature resistance and are used for polypropylene ropes, artificial turf and medical devices. Random copolymers have more flexibility and a lower melting point and are used in polypropylene fabrics, upholstery, and bedding.
Polypropylene plastic is widely used to make plastic bottles for milk, soft drinks, and other beverages.
The use of polypropylene plastic by the packaging industry is divided into flexible and rigid packaging. Polypropylene bags and films use flexible designs of the plastic used in three main packaging industries: food and apparel, tobacco, and textiles. The food packaging industry dominates the consumption of flexible polypropylene. Rigid polypropylene is used in the manufacture of food boxes and pallets, as well as bottles for a wide range of uses and food packaging for yogurt.
Among the thousands of other uses of polypropylene in the consumer market, the plastic is incorporated into household items, appliances and toys. It has become everything from diapers to lawn and garden equipment and luggage. Yet despite its versatile uses, more than 70% of polypropylene plastic produced for packaging goes into food products.