Plastic is a material consisting of any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organics that are malleable and can be molded into solid objects of diverse shapes. Plastics are typically organic polymers of highmolecular mass, but they often contain other substances. They are usually synthetic, most commonly derived from petrochemicals, but many are partially natural. Plasticity is the general property of all materials that are able to irreversibly deform without breaking, but this occurs to such a degree with this class of moldable polymers that their name is an emphasis on this ability.
- PET (PETE), polyethylene terephthalate
- HDPE, high-density polyethylene
- PVC, polyvinyl chloride
- LDPE, low-density polyethylene,
- PP, polypropylene
- PS, polystyrene
- Other types of plastics (see list, below)
Industry
Plastic manufacturing is a major part of the chemical industry, and some of largest chemical companies internationallybecame involved early in the industry, such as industry leaders BASF and Dow Chemical.
In 2014, sales of the top fifty companies amounted to {{currency}} – invalid amount (help). BASF was the world's largest chemical producer for the ninth year in a row.More than half of the companies on the list were headquartered in the United States (twelve), Japan (eight) or Germany (six); eighteen countries in total were represented.
Trade associations which represent the industry include the American Chemistry Council.
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