BIC Company
Home / Materials supply / Commodity polymers
MATERIALS / COMMODITY POLYMERS

Commodity polymers:
From understanding the material to choosing the grade.

A guide to polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene, for choosing a material that suits the product, the process and the performance requirements.

Overview

High-volume materials,
application-driven choices.

Commodity polymers are high-volume thermoplastic materials widely used in packaging, construction, automotive components, consumer products, electrical applications and industrial manufacturing. Their versatility, processability and availability in a wide range of grades make them essential materials for modern industry.

The most common commodity polymers include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polystyrene (PS). Each material offers a distinct combination of mechanical, thermal, chemical and processing properties.

At BIC Company, we support customers in identifying suitable polymer grades according to their processing methods, product specifications and end-use requirements.

Material 01

Polyethylene (PE)

Request this material →
Polyethylene applications: water pipe, a roll of packaging film and blow-molded containers
Polyethylene packaging films, containers and pipes · Illustrative application image

Material overview

Polyethylene is a thermoplastic polyolefin produced by the polymerization of ethylene. Its properties depend strongly on molecular structure, molecular weight, branching and density. Different polyethylene grades are available for applications ranging from flexible packaging films to rigid containers, pipes and industrial components.

Polyethylene generally offers good chemical resistance, low moisture absorption, electrical insulation and ease of processing. However, its stiffness, impact behavior, heat resistance and mechanical strength vary considerably among grades.

Common grades and types

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
Highly branched molecular structure, good flexibility and useful film-forming properties.
Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)
Combines flexibility with good tensile and puncture resistance, making it suitable for many packaging films.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
Higher density and crystallinity generally provide greater stiffness, strength and resistance to deformation.
Medium-density polyethylene (MDPE)
Offers an intermediate density range and is used in selected pipe and protective applications.
Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)
Provides exceptional abrasion resistance and low-friction performance in specialized applications.

Key properties

  • Good resistance to many acids, alkalis and aqueous chemicals.
  • Low water absorption.
  • Good electrical insulation.
  • Good impact resistance in appropriately selected grades.
  • Excellent processability by extrusion, blow molding, film extrusion and injection molding, depending on grade.
  • Limited resistance to elevated temperatures compared with many engineering plastics.

Industrial applications

Polyethylene is widely used in packaging films, shopping bags, bottles, drums, water and gas pipes, geomembranes, agricultural films, cable insulation and molded household products.

Practical example 1

Water-distribution pipe: suitable HDPE grades can provide good chemical resistance, toughness and long-term performance under pressure. The selected grade must meet the applicable pipe standard and pressure-rating requirements.

Practical example 2

Stretch and packaging films: LLDPE is widely used because of its flexibility and resistance to tearing and puncture.

Material selection considerations

When selecting a PE grade, important parameters include density, melt mass-flow rate (MFR), molecular-weight distribution, environmental stress-cracking resistance, tensile properties and processing method.

For pipe applications, long-term hydrostatic strength and the relevant pipe classification are particularly important. For film applications, puncture resistance, tear behavior, sealability and optical properties may be more relevant.

Material 02

Polypropylene (PP)

Request this material →
Polypropylene applications: bottle caps, food storage containers and an injection-molded car interior part
Polypropylene closures, containers and injection-molded parts · Illustrative application image

Material overview

Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polyolefin produced by polymerizing propylene. Its relatively low density, good chemical resistance and useful balance of stiffness and processability make it one of the most widely used plastics in industrial and consumer applications.

Polypropylene has a higher melting temperature than polyethylene grades such as LDPE and HDPE, although its practical service temperature depends on the grade, applied load, duration and environmental conditions.

Common grades and types

Homopolymer PP
Offers good stiffness and is widely used in rigid molded products and fibers.
Random copolymer PP
Typically provides improved clarity and impact behavior in suitable formulations.
Impact copolymer PP
Designed to improve impact resistance, particularly in applications requiring toughness at lower temperatures.
Glass-fiber-reinforced PP
Provides enhanced stiffness and dimensional stability for selected engineering applications.
Filled PP compounds
Incorporate minerals such as talc or calcium carbonate to modify stiffness, dimensional behavior or formulation cost.

Key properties

  • Low density, approximately 0.90–0.91 g/cm³ for many unfilled grades.
  • Good resistance to many acids, alkalis and aqueous chemicals.
  • Good fatigue resistance in suitable designs, including living hinges.
  • Useful stiffness-to-weight ratio.
  • Good processability by injection molding, extrusion and fiber production.
  • Susceptibility to oxidation and UV-related degradation unless adequately stabilized.
  • Impact performance that varies significantly with grade and temperature.

Industrial applications

Automotive interior components, food containers, caps and closures, household products, packaging, nonwoven fabrics, fibers, laboratory products and industrial molded components.

Practical example 1

Automotive interior component: an impact-copolymer PP grade can be selected for a component that requires a combination of stiffness and resistance to impact during service.

Practical example 2

Bottle caps: PP is widely used for caps and closures because it combines low weight, chemical resistance and suitability for high-volume injection molding.

Material selection considerations

Important parameters include MFR, tensile modulus, impact strength, heat-deflection behavior, shrinkage, crystallization characteristics and the presence of stabilizers or reinforcing materials.

For thin-wall injection molding, a grade with suitable flow characteristics may improve mold filling. For automotive parts, impact performance, dimensional stability, odor requirements and applicable industry specifications may be more important.

Material 03

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Request this material →
PVC applications: white window profile, gray pipe and fittings, and cable sheathing
Profiles, pipes and cable sheathing in PVC formulations · Illustrative application image

Material overview

Polyvinyl chloride is a chlorine-containing thermoplastic polymer produced by the polymerization of vinyl chloride monomer. Its rigid and flexible formulations make it suitable for a broad range of construction, electrical, medical and industrial applications.

Its final properties depend not only on the resin grade but also on the formulation, including stabilizers, plasticizers, lubricants, impact modifiers, pigments and processing aids.

Common grades and types

Rigid PVC (uPVC)
Formulated with little or no plasticizer and used in pipes, profiles, fittings and construction products.
Flexible PVC
Contains plasticizers to increase flexibility and is used in cables, hoses, films and selected flexible products.
PVC compounds
Tailored formulations designed to meet specific requirements for hardness, flexibility, weatherability, flame performance or processing behavior.

Key properties

  • Good resistance to many acids, alkalis and aqueous chemicals.
  • Useful electrical insulation properties.
  • Good flame-retardant characteristics relative to many common unhalogenated polymers; actual fire performance depends on formulation and test conditions.
  • Versatility across rigid and flexible applications.
  • Good durability in appropriately formulated outdoor products.
  • Sensitivity to heat during processing, requiring suitable thermal stabilization.
  • Potential environmental and health concerns associated with vinyl chloride monomer, certain additives and inappropriate disposal or combustion; these must be managed through appropriate controls and material selection.

Industrial applications

Water and drainage pipes, window profiles, cable insulation, flooring, wall coverings, hoses, seals and various construction and industrial products.

Practical example 1

Drainage pipes and selected water systems: rigid PVC is widely used because of its chemical resistance, stiffness and established processing technologies. Suitability for a particular water service depends on the applicable standard, formulation and regulatory requirements.

Practical example 2

Cable insulation and sheathing: flexible PVC compounds are used when the selected formulation meets the required electrical, mechanical, temperature and fire-performance specifications.

Material selection considerations

For rigid PVC, key parameters include impact resistance, dimensional stability, thermal stability, weatherability and processing behavior.

For flexible PVC, important considerations include Shore hardness, tensile strength, elongation, plasticizer compatibility, migration resistance, low-temperature flexibility and applicable regulatory requirements.

Material 04

Polystyrene (PS)

Request this material →
Polystyrene applications: EPS protective foam packaging, XPS insulation board and an HIPS appliance liner
Protective packaging, thermal insulation and appliance parts · Illustrative application image

Material overview

Polystyrene is an aromatic thermoplastic polymer produced by the polymerization of styrene. It is valued for its ease of processing, dimensional stability and ability to provide a smooth surface finish. Depending on its structure and formulation, polystyrene can be rigid and transparent, impact-modified, or expanded into a lightweight cellular material.

Common grades and types

General-purpose polystyrene (GPPS)
Rigid, naturally transparent and suitable for applications requiring good appearance and ease of molding.
High-impact polystyrene (HIPS)
Contains a rubber-modified phase to improve impact resistance compared with GPPS, generally at the expense of some transparency and stiffness.
Expandable polystyrene (EPS)
Processed into a cellular foam with low density and useful thermal-insulation properties.
Extruded polystyrene (XPS)
A closed-cell foam produced through extrusion and used in selected thermal-insulation applications.

Key properties

  • Good processability and dimensional stability.
  • GPPS offers good transparency and surface appearance.
  • HIPS provides improved impact resistance compared with unmodified GPPS.
  • EPS and XPS offer low density and useful thermal insulation.
  • Unmodified polystyrene is generally more brittle than impact-modified plastics such as HIPS.
  • Limited resistance to many organic solvents.
  • Relatively limited heat resistance compared with many engineering plastics.

Industrial applications

Packaging, disposable and reusable consumer products, refrigerator components, appliance housings, laboratory items, insulation boards and protective packaging.

Practical example 1

Appliance liners and housings: HIPS is used in selected parts where impact resistance and ease of thermoforming are important.

Practical example 2

Protective packaging and thermal insulation: the cellular structure of EPS reduces weight and limits heat transfer.

Material selection considerations

For GPPS, transparency, melt-flow behavior, surface finish and dimensional stability may be important. For HIPS, impact resistance, stiffness and thermoforming performance are key parameters.

For EPS and XPS, density, compressive strength, thermal conductivity, water absorption and fire-performance classification should be considered.

Comparison at a glance

Comparative guide to commodity polymers

A general comparison of the families; final properties depend on grade and formulation.
Property or applicationPEPolyethylenePPPolypropylenePVCPolyvinyl ChloridePSPolystyrene
Main characteristicsChemical resistance and toughnessLow density and useful stiffnessFormulation versatility and chemical resistanceEase of processing and surface finish
FlexibilityGrade-dependent; often goodUsually relatively rigid, depending on gradeRigid or flexible, depending on formulationGPPS is rigid; HIPS is tougher
Common processingFilm extrusion, blow molding, injection molding, pipe extrusionInjection molding, extrusion, fiber productionPipe and profile extrusion, calendering, injection moldingInjection molding, thermoforming, foam production
Typical applicationsFilms, bottles, pipes, containersCaps, automotive parts, containers, fibersPipes, profiles, cables, flooringPackaging, appliance parts, insulation
Important selection factorsDensity, MFR, stress-cracking resistanceMFR, impact strength, stiffnessFormulation, stabilization, hardness, complianceImpact strength, clarity, thermal performance
From polymer family to the right grade

How to select the right polymer grade

Selecting a polymer requires more than identifying its general chemical family. The grade must be compatible with the processing equipment and meet the performance requirements of the finished product.

  1. 1

    Processing method

    Injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, thermoforming or film production.

  2. 2

    Melt-flow rate

    A key indicator of flow behavior under specified test conditions; results should be compared only when the test conditions are equivalent.

  3. 3

    Mechanical performance

    Tensile strength, stiffness, elongation, impact resistance and long-term load performance.

  4. 4

    Thermal requirements

    Processing temperature, service temperature and dimensional stability.

  5. 5

    Chemical and environmental exposure

    Contact with water, oils, cleaning agents, outdoor weather or other chemicals.

  6. 6

    Regulatory requirements

    Food-contact, potable-water, electrical, construction or other applicable standards.

  7. 7

    Formulation and additives

    Stabilizers, pigments, fillers, reinforcements and impact modifiers can significantly influence performance.

BIC COMPANY / MATERIAL SELECTION & SOURCING

Material selection and sourcing

BIC Company supports industrial customers in identifying suitable commodity polymers and related compounds based on application requirements and technical specifications.

Tell us your required polymer type, grade, processing method and target application, and we will evaluate suitable material options for your industrial requirements.

Request material review and supply

Our support may include:

  • Identification of suitable polymer families and grades.
  • Review of technical data sheets (TDS) and safety data sheets (SDS).
  • Comparison of melt-flow rate, density, mechanical properties and processing requirements.
  • Identification of filled, reinforced, stabilized or impact-modified grades.
  • Coordination of material sourcing and technical evaluation.
  • Assistance with identifying appropriate laboratory characterization and testing options.
Back to all material groups →