Building the Future: The Rise of Plastic Construction Materials

Posted on: 08/10/2024

Category: Industry

The building and construction industry is at the forefront of using plastics in a variety of areas, being one of the largest users of plastics amongst sectors.

Businesses have championed the use of plastics as a strong and economical alternative to traditional materials such as wood, glass and metal. Popular uses for plastics include:

  • Pipes
  • Insulation
  • Flooring
  • Roofing
  • Protection systems


Why Choose Plastics?

Resilience: One of the biggest problems with wood and metal is its tendency to corrode over time. Buildings and infrastructure need to be long-lasting, which is why plastic is ideal as it doesn’t rot or corrode.

Lightweight: Due to the lightweight properties of plastic, it is easier to handle and install, making it less demanding and quicker for the installation team to complete applications.

Flexibility: Design versatility is a huge benefit of plastic as it can be moulded into a multitude of shapes and sizes. Intricate components can be realised, which when produced in alternative materials, could be costly and time-consuming.


Room to Innovate

The plastics industry is constantly developing with new technologies being introduced to the manufacturing and implementation of products.

Advanced Manufacturing: Techniques such as 3D printing have grown in popularity over the past decade. For businesses, 3D printing offers the ability to create complex shapes while reducing material waste.

While these new technologies are commonly known for small intricate pieces, they can also be used on a larger scale, from decorative architectural elements to entire drainage solutions.

Smart Plastics: Smart plastics, otherwise known as stimuli-responsive polymers (SRPs), are a revolutionary material which responds to external stimuli, changing its properties based on temperature, light, chemical exposure and more.

In the context of construction, this can include implementing smart plastic components which feature sensors to monitor structural integrity, temperature or stress levels of buildings.

Upcycling: Recycled materials are a great way for companies to contribute to a circular economy of materials and improve their corporate social responsibility.

The rise in upcycling plastic materials helps reduce waste and avoids materials ending up in landfills or natural environments. This method can also be more cost-effective than using original materials.


Looking to Use Plastic for Your Next Project?

With the growing list of benefits of using plastics in construction, it is definitely worth considering for your next application. No matter how big or small, plastic could be the key to longevity and strength in your installation.

At Chess Plastics, we specialise in plastic injection moulding which can produce small or large plastic parts of consistent high quality. If you have a product in mind and are unsure where to start, simply contact us today and we can discuss the next steps.

Contact us

GET IN TOUCH

Do you have a project you would like to discuss with us or a few questions?

Contact us and we will be more than happy to assist you.