Although the commercial production of synthetic plastic began a little over a century ago, it seems like this material has been around forever. The boom it experienced during World War II and the years that followed transformed our world forever, contributing to the development of numerous innovations and improvements across many fields of activity, from construction to electronics.
Plastic products have become so widespread over the past decades that one can hardly imagine a world where they didn’t exist. This is the element that best defines our current era, with the global plastic market being estimated at $1142.21 billion in 2024. Some scientists have gone as far as dubbing the period of time we’re currently living through within the Holocene Epoch – or the Anthropocene, according to certain scholars – as the Plastic Age.
This should tell you enough about the role that this omnipresent material has come to play in our lives. Nevertheless, plastic is, without a doubt, a controversial component of our modern society. It’s a rather demonized invention due to its damaging effects on the environment, being regarded by many as a necessary evil.
While humanity’s overreliance on plastic items poses a serious cause of concern and the detrimental impact of intense plastic production on the health of the planet should not be neglected, it’s equally important not to oversimplify the narrative by adopting a black-and-white line of thought, as plastics represent a complex and multifaceted issue.
The many different types of plastics available, their characteristics, and the manufacturing processes and methods used to create plastic items, such as low-pressure structural foam moulding, rotational moulding, or thermoforming, make for quite a fascinating subject. There’s definitely a lot to explore, so in this article, we’re going to focus on the positives and take you through some of the most common applications of plastics and the many benefits that this ubiquitous material boasts.
Why plastic?
Although we’re surrounded by plastic everywhere we look, most people have become oblivious to its presence and don’t give much thought to how or why this creation ended up permeating every aspect of our existence. There are several factors that led to the rapid increase in plastic consumption and propelled plastic to its current status, as follows:
Durability
Ironically, the aspect that gives plastic a bad reputation also makes it a highly appealing material: its durability. The chemicals in its composition don’t exist in nature, so it can take forever for plastic to break down (more precisely, between 20 to 1000 years, or never, depending on its makeup and structure). However, this also makes plastic extremely sturdy, ensuring it can withstand wear and tear like no other material and last for years if properly cared for. The high durability and chemical resistance make plastic better suited than metals or glass in certain industrial settings.
Lightness
Plastics’ strength is doubled by their low density which results in lower weight compared to other materials. This results in easier handling and transportation, which ultimately reduces costs and lowers their environmental impact.
Versatility
There are many types of plastics out there, each with its own properties and qualities. The wide range of plastic materials allows for the creation of a wide range of plastic parts in nearly every form and colour imaginable, be it through the injection moulding of large plastic products or other processing techniques for different types of items. Some plastics are hard and robust, others are soft and malleable, offering unparalleled design flexibility and countless production possibilities.
Affordability
Another major benefit that plastics provide is affordability. The relatively cheap production costs have turned plastic into a favourite for manufacturers looking to boost profits while minimising expenses. In many cases, the financial perks prompted companies to replace traditional materials like wood, metals, glass, stone, and paper with plastic.
Common applications
Plastic is used across an extensive range of industries, facilitating important advancements in all of the areas it has touched over the years, such as:
- Construction – plastic components and materials are prevalent in the construction sector, changing the game in the field thanks to their durability, resistance to corrosion, and cost-effectiveness. We can find them in plumbing and electrical systems, profiles (doors and windows), floor coverings, insulation, and so on.
- Packaging – almost all consumable goods are wrapped in plasti,c and there’s a good reason for that. The material is adaptable, lightweight, hygienic, and hard-wearing, so it’s no wonder it’s the go-to choice for bottles, cups, boxes, bags, and other types of packaging.
- Consumer electronics – plastic is a key component in consumer devices and gadgets, so we have this revolutionary material to thank for the widespread availability of TVs, smartphones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, and all other tech-related items one can think of.
- Aerospace – flying up in the sky wouldn’t have been the same without the advent of plastic, which made air travel infinitely more efficient and accessible.
- Automotive – the same goes for the automobile industry, where plastics have revolutionised the manufacturing process, boosting productivity and profit.
- Medicine and healthcare – plastic is also dominant in the healthcare field where it is used to produce a diverse array of assets, from the most basic items and tools like gloves and syringes to the most cutting-edge devices, providing immeasurable health benefits as a result.
Final thoughts
Nowadays, plastic can be found in nearly every imaginable item. It’s in the clothes we wear, the gadgets we use, the cars we drive, and the houses we live in. When it comes to this highly versatile material, the benefits don’t erase the drawbacks or vice versa, so one needs to maintain a balanced view of the topic, taking into consideration both pros and cons. There’s no denying that plastic is here to stay, and it’s going to pave the way for many more advances in the future, potentially getting an eco-friendly makeover along the way.
