Amid growing environmental concerns and rapid changes in the global climate, plastics have become the public enemy, along with fossil fuels, of those working towards a greener future. Indeed, the concerns are all justified: Plastics have a tremendous impact on the environment, from their production to their disposal.
Here’s how the Italian industry is quickly replacing them with high-quality polymers.
Environmentally-Friendly Industry
Companies like Unigasket, which provides high-quality polymer-based products for industrial purposes, are part of what makes this change possible. However, it’s necessary to clarify a common mistake: plastics and polymers aren’t entirely different. In fact, plastic is a kind of polymer, among many other non-plastic polymers. What is the real difference, then? The devil is in the composition.
Nearly 100% of all plastics produced in Europe use fossil fuels and natural gases, for instance. Worse still, much of this non-biodegradable material ends up in landfills, causing even more damage. Hence, the problem. Thankfully, according to recent statistics, Italy is among the top 7 European countries with the most efficient municipal recycling, showing that the country is on the right path to leaving plastics behind.
While 42% of the plastic consumed in the country goes to packaging and disposal, the construction industry is responsible for 12%.
Not all polymers are petroleum-based, though. Polymers are very large molecules chained together to create different chemical compounds, and they’re not necessarily synthetic. Natural examples include silk, cellulose, and wool. However, synthetic options like nylon for 3D printing, polyester, and polyethylene are widely used for industrial purposes.
Leaving Plastics Behind
It’s impossible to reach the net zero target set by the Paris Agreement without handling the replacement of plastics.
Bioplastics are still a minority here, accounting for only 6% of national consumption. That’s why the Italian government has recently created the Plastic Tax, charging single-use plastic-based packages. This tax targets suppliers, manufacturers, sellers, and buyers, raising awareness about the impacts of such packages.
Top 3 Polymers for Industrial Purposes
The demand for high-quality polymer-based products is on the rise globally. There are 200 types of polymers out there, but three of them are necessary for nearly every industry. Read more about them below.
Polyethylene
Polyethylene is arguably the most used polymer across several industries, given its versatility and cost-efficiency. It comes in different densities, ranging from plastic bags to pipes. It’s a very easily recyclable material, allowing significantly reduced usage of virgin materials.
Polypropylene
The automotive and medical industries mostly use this thermoplastic compound. It’s lightweight and incredibly resistant, especially in high temperatures. Better still, it can be reused and recycled with minimal quality loss. Researchers have been working also on a biodegradable polypropylene.
Polyethylene Terephthalate
Commonly known as PET, this polymer is mostly used in bottles, textiles, and 3D printing. It can also be recycled into resins and high-quality fibers, reducing its environmental impact even further.
