Plastics in production

Fundamentals

fundamental plastic processPopular Polymers

Polyethylene (a polyolefin)

(drainpipes, water pipes, sheeting, cable insulation)

polyethylene

Polypropylene (a polyolefin)

(sheeting, boards, pipes, carpets, electrical fittings, cable insulation)

polypropylene

Polystyrene

(sheeting, thermal insulation (foamed), electrical insulation, light fittings)

polystyrene

Polyurethane

(thermal insulation (foamed), adhesives, clear finishes, paint, sealants)

polyurethane

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

(sheeting, boards, sections, window frames, pipes, flooring, wallpapers)

PVC

Some other polymers and their emissions

Polymer Emission(s) Common use
Polyester Styrene, Dichloromethane Fabrics
Epoxy Phenol, Epichlorohydrin Epoxide resins: filler, adhesives, paint, clear finishes, etc.
Polymethylmethacrylate Acetonitrile, Acrylonitrile Rooflights, boards, flooring, baths, paint
Ureaformaldehyde Formaldehyde Thermal insulation, electical fittings, laminates, wood adhesives
Melamineformaldehyde Phenol, Formaldehyde Laminates, electrical fittings, adhesives
Polysulphide Toluene, Chloroparaffin Sealants
Silicone Xylene Sealants, electrical insulation
Styrene rubber Styrene, Xylene, Butadiene, Hexane, Toluene Flooring, sealing strips
Isoprene rubber Xylene, Nitrosamines Natural rubber substitute
Ethylene propylene rubber Benzene, Hexane, Nitrosamines Sealing strips
Chlorprene rubber Chloroprene, Nitrosamines Sealing strips

Further information

• Plastics: Impacts, Risks and Regulations (USA) - http://ecm.ncms.org/ERI/new/IRRplastics.htm