Polypropylenes (PP) are various thermoplastic plastics or fibres that are polymers of propylene. Polypropylene can be made into fibers, where it is a major constituent in fabrics for home furnishings such as upholstery and carpets. Numerous industrial end uses include rope and cordage, disposable non-woven fabrics for diapers and medical applications. As a plastic, polypropylene is moulded into bottles for foods and personal care products, appliance housings, dishwasher-proof food containers, toys, automobile battery casings and outdoor furniture.
Polyurethanes are used to make the foam in furniture, mattresses, car seats, building insulation, and coatings for floors, furniture and refrigerators. They are also used in artificial sports tracks, jogging shoes, and in roller blade wheels.
Olefins – propylene, derivatives
Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) (see above mentioned earlier). Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) is a semi-crystalline polymer resin. Though it is thermoplastic, it does not melt under normal conditions. It degrades before melting. It is used to produce large variety of products including ultra-filtration membranes, hollow fibers for reverse osmosis, fibers for textiles, and PAN fibers that are the chemical precursor of carbon fiber.
Cumene is an aromatic derived from benzene and is used in turn to produce polycarbonates, phenolic resins and essential healthcare products such as aspirin and penicillin.
Methyl methacrylate (MMA). The principal application of methyl methacrylate is the production of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) acrylic plastics. Also, MMA is used for the production of the co-polymer methyl methacrylate butadiene-styrene (MBS), used as a modifier for PVC. MMA polymers and copolymers are used for waterborne coatings, such latex house paint.
