What is Plastic Granules?
Plastic granules, in the broadest definition, are raw materials produced in different sizes and shapes. When plastic granules are melted and molded, they take shape. For this reason, plastic granule raw materials are preferred in various sectors. Plastic granules, which are a form of raw plastic material, are widely used today due to their low cost and ease of production.
Plastic granules, preferred in the industrial field, are divided into different types depending on the material. Types of plastic granules are favored in many areas, from the packaging industry to the automotive industry. Waste plastics can be turned into plastic granules and reused in production. The raw material of plastic granules is advantageous as it is compatible with different storage conditions and environments.
What are Plastic Granules?
Plastic granules are a type of raw material in the form of small grains used in plastic production. Granular raw materials appear as a type of thermoplastic polymer. Plastic granules, generally produced from polymers, are used in many industrial applications due to their low cost.
Plastic granules are produced by converting the monomer propylene into a polymer form through various processes. The raw materials of plastic granules, resistant to acids and bases, ensure that the parts used are also durable. For this reason, they are often preferred in the automotive spare parts sector. In addition, due to their low friction coefficient, they also perform well in electrical insulation.
What do Plastic Granule Raw Materials Do?
Plastic granules are the primary raw material for the plastic industry. Granular propylene materials, known as polyethylene in the plastic industry, demonstrate high resistance to impacts and chemical solvents. Plastic granules are materials highly resistant to fatigue.
Plastic granules are raw materials designed to determine the properties of plastic products. Different types of polymers can have varying properties under different temperatures and pressures. Thanks to advancing technology, the size, shape, and composition of granules can be altered, and final products obtained from granular raw materials can have different properties.
Due to their durable structure, plastic granules are often preferred in the automotive industry. They are used in the production of various industrial products, from car parts to food packaging, which we use daily.
What are the Types of Plastic Granules?
Plastic granules are produced from different polymers. Plastic granules differ in terms of color, structure, and shape, offering distinct properties and usage areas. The types of plastic granule raw materials often preferred in different sectors can be listed as follows:
- Polyethylene (PE) Granules : Polyethylene granules can be of low density, high density (HDPE), or linear low density (LLDPE). They are used in the packaging, agriculture, construction, textile, and automotive industries.
- Polypropylene (PP) Granules : PP granules are distinguished by their resistance to high temperatures. Polypropylene granules also have low density and chemical resistance features. They are used in the packaging, textile, medical, and automotive industries.
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Granules : PVC granules, known for their rigid structure, are renowned for their strength and chemical resistance properties. They are preferred in the electrical, construction, automotive, and medical industries.
- Polystyrene (PS) Granules : PS granules are hard and transparent plastic granules. They are used in industries like food packaging, electronics, furniture, and toys.
- Polycarbonate (PC) Granules : PC granules are known for their resistance to high temperatures, transparency, and impact resistance. They are generally preferred in the automotive, electronics, medical, and sports goods industries.
- Polyamide (PA) Granules : PA granules, which demonstrate high strength due to their rigid structure, stand out with their temperature resistance features. They are frequently used in the automotive, electronics, medical, and textile industries.
Where are Plastic Granule Raw Materials Used?
Single-use plastic products are an important element that threatens the environment today. Although plastic cups, forks, spoons, plates, PET bottles, and disposable medical items are used only once, they do not decompose in nature for hundreds of years. Therefore, recycling plastic is crucial for the future of the environment.
Plastic granules are among the raw materials used in various areas. Products made from plastic granules are affordable. For this reason, plastic is widely used in the production of toys, the automotive and construction industries, food packaging, electrical insulation, and kitchenware.
Single-use plastic waste, which has been used for years but is unusable in recycling facilities, is turned into plastic granules for reuse. Waste plastic converted into granular raw material can be used in the production of products in various industries.
The electronics and home appliance industry is one of the areas where plastic granules are widely used. Another sector where recycled plastic gains more value is undoubtedly the automotive sector. Given the production of plastic products preferred in the automotive industry, various plastic granules are frequently chosen.
How are Plastic Granules Made?
The production of plastic granules is generally done in recycling centers. The production of plastic granules begins by transporting collected plastic waste to the recycling center by trucks. Plastic waste is poured onto the recycling line. After processes like washing, sorting, breaking, and crushing, the waste is turned into granules.