Plastics’ Use Going to S-t-r-e-t-c-h, Study Finds

Plastics will continue to replace glass, paper and metal in packaging and other consumer goods and will be deployed more often at the expense of metals in structural uses during the next 13 years, according to a study for an industry group.

The study, released by the Society of the Plastics Industry, said design engineers are comfortable with plastics. As a result, many new products will initially be made with plastics rather than with metal first and later with plastic as is usually the case.

The United States’ use of plastics of all kinds increased from 19 billion pounds to 48 billion pounds between 1970 and 1985, and the study estimates that demand for plastics will reach 76 billion pounds in the nation by the year 2000.

Packaging accounted for 30% of plastics’ uses in 1985 followed by building and construction uses at 23% and consumer products at 8%. Other uses included electrical components, transportation and inks, coatings and adhesives.

The study, prepared by Chem Systems Inc., of Tarrytown, N.Y., predicts that the packaging industry will remain the primary consumer of plastics by the turn of the century, thanks to smaller family size, increasing numbers of working adults and the graying of America.

Americans will want more food packages that can be heated in a microwave oven, more single-portion servings and more plastic packages for juices and snack foods, the study predicted. It also forecast technology that will permit pasteurization of products such as baby foods, seafood and beer in plastic containers.

Expanded use of aseptic plastic packages, which retard spoilage and allow room-temperature storage of perishable commodities, will reduce the need for freezer and refrigerator space, the report said.

It also said the disposal of plastic waste will continue to be a concern by 2000 as well as threats plastics pose to marine life, such as seals becoming entangled in plastic fishing nets, fish and turtles eating plastic bags because of their resemblance to jellyfish and birds eating plastic pellets because they look like fish eggs.

“The solid waste issue will likely continue to expand in scope and intensity as a threat to the plastics industry for the next four or five years,” the report said. “Thereafter, depending upon the industry’s success in responding to the issue, the regulatory activity may level off, but plastics waste disposal will require the attention of the plastic industry for the balance of the century.”

The report said there also will continue to be limitations on uses of plastics in building and furnishings because of their flammability.

There are two basic types of plastics--thermoplastics that can be repeatedly softened and hardened by temperature, and thermosets that cannot be resoftened by heat.

Thermoplastics include polystyrene, polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Polystyrene is used in such things as egg cartons, radio cabinets, picture frames, toys, shoe heels and furniture. Polyethylene is used for such things as trash bags, sandwich wrap, milk bottles and oil containers. PVC is used to make pipes, window frames, house siding and wire and cable.

Thermosets are used for such things as boat hulls, airplane parts, insulation, plywood adhesives and roofing.