10 Profitable Plastic Product Business Ideas to Start Today
Owing to the massive development of the petrochemical industry in the middle of the 20th century, people changed their habits of material application in just a few decades. Since they are inexpensive and durable, we have fallen in love with plastic materials quickly and moved into the unprecedented “Age of Plastic,” which is why a wide variety of industrial plastic parts and plastic products are available in the marketplace nowadays.
To better understand the plastic industry outlook, let’s first look at the five commonly used plastic materials and examine ten profitable business ideas for plastic products to make your production future-ready.
Five Commonly Used Plastic Materials
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a thermoplastic polyester resin from the polyester family, which is entirely combustible, odorless, tasteless, and does not produce harmful gas. It has the characteristics of good toughness, lightweight, impermeability, and waterproof, and it’s also resistant to acid, alkali, oil, and heat from 60°C to 85°C.
PET is one of the most common plastic materials in the world, and it is widely used in beverage bottles, food jars, packaging materials, detergents, gloves, carpets, etc.
Polyethylene (PE)
Polyethylene (PE) is one of the most widely used plastic materials in industry and life, and it is generally divided into high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE).
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is the polymerization of ethylene, which has the advantages of lightness, softness, waterproof, corrosion resistance, and sound insulation, and the disadvantages of flammability, poor heat resistance, easy to bend and deform, poor printing effect, etc. HDPE is resistant to heat from 90°C to 110°C and is mainly used for making translucent or opaque plastic bottles, such as cosmetic bottles, milk bottles, detergent containers, plastic bags, portable zipper bags, and toys.
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is the early variety of the PE family, with excellent properties such as lightweight, good transparency, cold resistance, flexibility, high-frequency insulation, and ease of mold and process. It is resistant to heat from 70°C to 90°C and is mainly used for film wrapper products, such as plastic bags, pharmaceutical packaging materials, plastic wraps, air bubble wraps, etc.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is inexpensive, simple to process, chemical resistant, and a good flame-retardant. It is resistant to heat from 60°C to 80°C, and its flexibility can be adjusted by blending it with plasticizers. Adding inorganic powder such as stone powder can also increase the stiffness and the abrasion resistance, making it the most widely used plastic nowadays.
The strength and durability of PVC make it ideal for building and construction applications, and it’s also common in high-tech applications such as electrical wires and cable manufacturing because of its non-conductive property. Besides, PVC is broadly used in medical applications since it’s impervious to bacteria, quickly disinfected, and offers various disposable applications that reduce infections in medical operations. For non-food contact applications, PVC is a good material for producing water pipes, plastic floor tiles, and synthetic leather made into cars, sofas, bags, belts, shoes, raincoats, etc.
Nevertheless, it is critical to note that PVC is the most dangerous plastic material for human health and is known to release hazardous toxins (e.g., lead, dioxins, vinyl chloride) throughout its production cycle. Therefore, manufacturers must observe regulations if it is to be used.
Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene (PP) is one of the lightest plastic materials. It is a recyclable plastic material that is easy to process, waterproof, heat resistant from 100°C to 140°C, and costs lower than other plastic materials. PP possesses many similar properties to polyethylene (PE), but PP is more susceptible to oxidative degradation by UV and heat, resulting in reduced chemical resistance.
PP is fully combustible, does not produce toxic gases, and has an FDA approval rating that meets modern environmental requirements. Its applications include automotive components, industrial fibers, microwave food containers, garbage cans, syringes, appliance housings, rope, etc.
Polystyrene (PS)
Polystyrene (PS) is hard and brittle, colorless, heat resistant from 70°C to 90°C, and can be mixed with various dyes to produce different colors. It has low water absorption, good stability, and is lightweight. The foam form of PS, commonly known as Styrofoam, is lightweight, easy to transport, provides excellent cushioning, and is relatively inexpensive due to its mass production characteristics.
Typical PS applications in everyday life include disposable plastic tableware, instant noodle bowls, food packaging materials, CD and DVD cases, etc. PS is also widely used in hollow slabs for sound and thermal insulation for building applications.
Ten Plastic Product Manufacturing Opportunities
PET Plastic Bottle Manufacturing
PET plastic bottle production is a lucrative manufacturing opportunity for the plastic industry, covering both injection molding and blow molding processes. Due to the flexibility of PET material, more and more PET bottles are now available in various sizes, shapes, colors, and designs, significantly improving their appearance and usability and thus stimulating the demand for product customization.
The rising trend of westernization, expanding disposable income, changing dietary habits of consumers, and increasingly busy lifestyles are driving the demand for bottled beverages, especially in developing countries such as India and China. In addition, technological advancements are creating a positive outlook for the PET bottle market. For instance, manufacturers have introduced a plasma-based coating that makes PET bottles inherently more impervious to water; they have even started using silver to extend the shelf life of their products. Other end-use areas include carbonated soft drinks (CSD), food jars, non-food bottles, juice, and beer.
Water Storage Tank Manufacturing
Water storage tanks are mainly made from polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) through injection molding, blow molding, or rotational molding. Unlike conventional water storage tanks, the seamless construction of plastic water storage tanks provides higher impact strength and superior resistance to rust, corrosion, and fuel additives. With the rising demand for water storage in the future, these benefits give plastic water storage tanks a considerable potential market size.
The main driver for the growth of the plastic water storage tank market is the increase in population, resulting in a rise in demand for construction and industrialization activities across the globe, leading to the growing demand for water storage utilities both in rural and urban areas. Moreover, the extreme weather in the Asia-Pacific region is one of the significant factors affecting the water storage tank market. Therefore, such trends allow entrepreneurs to invest in plastic water storage tank business on a large scale.
Raincoat Manufacturing
Raincoats are made from a combination of Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and rubber materials. The process primarily uses high-frequency plastic fusion machines to fuse the separate raincoat arms, hoods, pants, and other product areas to complete a raincoat.
Due to the fluctuation of global climate conditions and the increasing number of commuters who choose to use bicycles, motorcycles, and other private transportation to commute to work, the demand for personal raincoats continues to drive the rainwear market size. Besides, the enthusiasm of the millennial generation for outdoor activities has also expanded the range of technology and suppliers in the rainwear market. Given this, raincoat manufacturing can serve as a profitable plastic business opportunity.
Disposable Plastic Syringe Manufacturing
Disposable plastic syringes are mainly made from polypropylene (PP) through injection molding. They are single-use plastic syringes designed for use in the medical, veterinary, research, and development (R&D) fields, mainly for treating different diseases by intravenous or intramuscular injections. Disposable plastic syringes are cheaper than traditional syringes, do not have any maintenance costs, and help maintain patient safety by reducing the chance of cross-contamination.
The expansion of the global healthcare industry, changing attitudes towards vaccination, advancements in syringe development, and the growing need to reduce mortality from certain fatal diseases are among the key factors driving the disposable plastic syringe market. Besides, governments in some countries are taking active steps to encourage the use of disposable medical supplies to prevent the spread of infections in the operating room. These initiatives are expected to boost the growth of the disposable syringe market in the coming years, creating lucrative opportunities for disposable plastic syringe manufacturers.
PVC Wire and Cable Manufacturing
PVC wires and cables are manufactured through extrusion. Due to its high tensile strength, excellent conductivity, flexibility, and ease of joining, PVC wires and cables are widely used for wiring household appliances, indoor wiring, internal wiring for factory lighting circuits, and power supply for office automation. Applications ranging from automation equipment to future-ready devices are covered, and top home appliance manufacturers such as floorcare electronics manufacturing services and robot vacuum cleaner OEMs are all gaining popularity nowadays.
The growing demand for lighting, power, and communication in the Asia-Pacific region in recent years due to urbanization and increasing disposable income, as well as the expansion of construction activities in China, India, and Japan, are driving the growth of the PVC wire and cable market. The developing countries and some undeveloped regions such as India, Bangladesh, Kenya, and sub-Saharan Africa also have seen an increase in demand for electricity over the past few years, necessitating the expansion of power infrastructure as another driver of the PVC wire and cable market.
Bubble Wrap Manufacturing
Bubble wraps are made from polyethylene (PE), a plastic that contains hundreds of evenly distributed air pockets. These air pockets then act as cushions to absorb shock during accidental movements. It helps to prevent damage to any product wrapped in the packaging material.
Product packaging plays an essential role in the transportation of fragile products. The rise of the e-commerce market and increasing consumer demand for electronic products has made it imperative for retailers to ensure that goods are well protected during transportation, and thus bubble wraps are used extensively to reduce the risk of damage to products from manufacturing and warehousing to the point where they reach the end user. Apart from general consumer goods, the application of bubble wrap in pharmaceutical, electronics, automotive, and other related industries is also positively impacting the growth of the global bubble wrap packaging market.
Plastic Bag Manufacturing
Plastic bags are mostly made from polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) by extrusion and blown film molding. The type of plastic bag is influenced by the material used to make them and their shape, size, color, closure type, and style. Although they are very thin and easy to carry, plastic bags are sturdy, waterproof, and will not deform under regular use.
As end-use sectors increase their demand in groceries, food and beverages, consumer goods, and the apparel industry, they are critical factors in generating demand for plastic bags, making the global market continue to grow steadily. The growth of the food, pharmaceutical, and electronics industries is also driving the global industrial plastic bags market significantly, as industrial plastic bags reduce the weight of goods and materials during transportation as compared to other packaging solutions such as drums and cartons. In addition, retail stores and brands nowadays utilize plastic bags as a low-cost marketing tool. By printing brand names and promotional messages on plastic bags, it continues to drive the expansion of the global plastic bag market.
PVC Pipe Manufacturing
PVC pipes are the most widely used plastic pipes in the world. Compared to conventional pipes such as GI, cast iron, and cement, PVC pipes are durable, economical, lightweight, resistant to damage, and easy to install. They have a long service life, which makes them famous worldwide.
The excellent thermal and electrical insulation properties of PVC pipe have led to its widespread use in electrical fittings. These pipes will not rot, wear or rust over time and can withstand the severe vibrations and extreme movements found in earthquake-prone areas. For irrigation, wastewater, domestic and industrial water pipeline, oil, and gas applications, PVC pipe is more environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and has higher physical and mechanical properties than the conventionally produced pipe. As a result, PVC pipe continues to replace other piping materials and has maintained a high compound annual growth rate.
PVC Battery Container Manufacturing
A battery container made of molded plastic typically has an internal partition that is integral to the bottom and side walls of the container and extends to the container's top edge to prevent fluid leakage between adjacent batteries. These containers are formed as a single structure in a single molding operation, with multiple cores defining the internal cavities forming the partitions. The mold gate is generally centered at the lower end of each partition cavity with a parallel end wall of the vessel.
PVC battery containers have strong ties to the automotive industry, as lithium-ion, lead-acid, and silver-oxide batteries are highly used in a variety of vehicles. As the U.S. government continues to promote the renewable energy industry and electric cars with stringent emission standards, this has increased the demand for lithium-ion battery-based battery energy storage systems (BESS). In addition, growth in the power industry, a surge in shipping demand, increased battery integration in consumer electronics, and fuel-saving initiatives have all led to a significant increase in the production and sales of battery containers, positively impacting the growth of the PVC battery container market.
Plastic Jerry Can Manufacturing
Plastic jerry cans are made from lightweight, durable, and corrosion-resistant high-density polyethylene (HDPE) that is injection molded into a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Initially designed for military use, they are now widely used to store a variety of liquid products, including fuel, oil, chemicals, food, and pharmaceuticals.
Markets for plastic jerry cans are lucrative because of growing industrialization trends, increased consumer spending, improved export of edible oils, and some global economies and infrastructure development heavily dependent on the oil and gas industry. It has shown that the 10-to-25-liter capacity segment is expected to dominate the global plastic jerry can market, while plastic jerry cans with a capacity of fewer than 10 liters are widely used for packaging small quantities of products such as agrochemicals as well as daily use chemicals. Altogether, these factors are creating better future opportunities for the global plastic jerry can market.
Getting your Plastic Parts Manufacturing Started
There is a vast market in the plastic manufacturing business. From the selection of plastic materials to manufacturing process planning to market entry, there are many business opportunities that can be genuinely profitable depending on the business idea you choose to venture into. With the right capital, partners, and experience, you can build a successful plastics product business anywhere in the world.
At eziSourcing, we value our customers’ productivity and offer professional consulting services to mold the path to excellence for every young entrepreneur. If you want to learn more about how we work, or if you’re ready to start your project, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Ready to talk? Get in touch with us right here.
Comments