When you shop for plastic containers, you often see the letters “PP” at the bottom. This label indicates that the container consists of polypropylene, a type of thermoplastic polymer. You might be surprised to learn that this versatile plastic has various industrial and consumer uses.
Understanding what polypropylene is and its different uses can help you make informed decisions about the products you purchase.
What is polypropylene?
Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer that belongs to the polyolefin family. It consists of repeating units of propylene, a gaseous hydrocarbon. The polymer can be either linear or branched and is characteristically tough and flexible.
Polypropylene uses chain-growth polymerization from the monomer propylene, and this process can work with either a gas-phase or solution process. The resulting polymer has a high melting point and is resistant to environmental stress cracking and chemicals.
The uses of polypropylene
Polypropylene has a wide range of uses, both industrial and consumer. We’ll give an overview of both below.
Industrial uses
Polypropylene often finds use in packaging applications because it’s moisture resistant, and you can sterilize it. It also works well in manufacturing textiles, carpets, and ropes. Additionally, polypropylene often works as an electrical insulator in the automotive industry for parts like battery casings, door panels, and dashboards.
Consumer uses
You can also find polypropylene in many consumer products. Common polypropylene items include food containers, coffee filters, drinking straws, Tupperware, and laundry detergent. Additionally, polypropylene makes up reusable shopping bags because it’s lightweight and durable.
Once you learn about polypropylene bags and their many uses, you might be surprised at how often you come into contact with this versatile plastic.
Now that you know what polypropylene is and its different uses, you can make informed decisions about the products you purchase. Be sure to look for the “PP” symbol when shopping for plastic containers to ensure that they contain this durable material.
You’ll be able to find this plastic almost anywhere, from your kitchen to industrial packaging. It’s no wonder that polypropylene is one of the most popular plastics in use today.
