Plastic
Synthetic materials defined by plasticity, widely used since the early 20th century.
Plastics are a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic materials composed primarily of polymers, characterized by plasticity, which allows them to be molded, extruded, or pressed into solid forms. Their adaptability, low weight, durability, flexibility, chemical resistance, low toxicity, and low-cost production have led to widespread global use, primarily derived from natural gas and petroleum, with a growing minority from renewable resources. The term "plastic" originates from an Ancient Greek word meaning "capable of being shaped or molded," and its modern usage typically refers to solid synthetic products from petrochemical manufacturing. The world's first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was invented in New York in 1907 by Leo Baekeland, who also coined the term "plastics." Since then, dozens of types have been developed, including polyethylene for packaging and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for construction and pipes due to its strength. The materials science of plastics has been advanced by figures like Nobel laureate Hermann Staudinger, called the father of polymer chemistry, and Herman Mark, known as the father of polymer physics. Most plastics contain organic polymers formed from chains of carbon atoms, often with oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur, comprising thousands of repeating units called monomers. Their properties are customized by side chains attached to the polymer backbone. Plastics are classified by chemical structure (e.g., acrylics, polyesters), synthesis process (condensation, polyaddition), physical properties (hardness, tensile strength), or by qualities like thermoplastics, thermosets, and biodegradable types. Between 1950 and 2017, an estimated 9.2 billion metric tons were produced, with over half since 2004; in 2023, over 400 million metric tons were made. Packaging accounts for about 40% of use, building and construction for about 20%. Worldwide, roughly 50 kg of plastic is produced annually per person, with production doubling every ten years. While plastics have brought major benefits—from medical devices to sewage systems relying on PVC—they also pose environmental concerns due to slow decomposition. Most plastic has not been reused; less than 10% has been recycled, and about 14% incinerated, with much ending up in landfills or as pollution, including microplastics and marine garbage patches.
- global production (1950–2017)
- 9.2 billion metric tons
- projected annual production by 2060
- over 1.3 billion tons
- primary use
- packaging (about 40%)
- recycled proportion
- less than 10%
- incinerated proportion
- about 14%
Lore & Background
Dozens of different types of plastics are produced today, such as polyethylene, widely used in product packaging, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), used in construction and pipes. Many chemists have contributed to the materials science of plastics, including Nobel laureate Hermann Staudinger, called 'the father of polymer chemistry', and Herman Mark, known as 'the father of polymer physics'. The world's first fully synthetic plastic was Bakelite, invented in New York in 1907 by Leo Baekeland, who also coined the term "plastics." The defining characteristic of plastics is plasticity, which allows them to be molded, extruded, or pressed into a wide variety of solid forms. This property, combined with low weight, durability, flexibility, chemical resistance, low toxicity, and low-cost production, has driven their widespread use. Most plastics are produced from natural gas and petroleum, though a growing minority, such as polylactic acid, come from renewable resources. Plastics are composed primarily of polymers, which are long chains of repeating units called monomers, typically based on carbon atoms. These chains can include oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur atoms, and side chains attached to the main backbone allow customization of properties. Plastics are classified by chemical structure (e.g., acrylics, polyesters, silicones), by synthesis process (condensation, polyaddition, cross-linking), and by physical properties like hardness, density, and thermal resistance. They are also grouped as thermoplastics or thermosets based on the reversibility of their chemical formation.
Reader's Guide
Plastics have had major benefits for mankind, ranging from medical devices to lightweight construction materials, with sewage systems in many countries relying on polyvinyl chloride. However, they are also the basis of widespread environmental concerns due to their slow decomposition rate in natural ecosystems. Most plastic produced has not been reused, leading to microplastic remediation needs, with much ending up in landfills or as plastic pollution. Marine plastic pollution creates garbage patches. Of all plastic discarded, some 14% has been incinerated and less than 10% recycled. In developed economies, about a third of plastic is used in packaging and roughly the same in buildings; in the developing world, 42% of India's consumption is used in packaging. Worldwide, about 50 kg of plastic is produced annually per person, with production doubling every ten years.
Did You Know?
- The word plastic derives from the Ancient Greek πλαστικός (plastikos), meaning 'capable of being shaped or molded'.
- Packaging makes up about 40% of plastic usage, and building and construction about 20%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Plastic?
Plastics are a broad family of synthetic or semisynthetic materials built mainly from long-chain polymers. Their defining trait is plasticity, meaning they can be shaped by molding, extrusion, or pressing into nearly any solid form. Since the early 20th century they have become one of the most ubiquitous material groups on Earth.
What is Plastic's main role in the real world?
Roughly forty percent of all plastic produced goes into packaging, making it the single largest application by volume. Beyond that, its light weight, chemical resistance, and low production cost keep it embedded in everything from construction to medicine.
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