This section provides an overview for polypropylene as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 19 polypropylene manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked polypropylene companies as of November, 2024: 1.MOLGROUP, 2.Formosa Plastics Corporation, 3.Ducor Petrochemicals.
Table of Contents
Polypropylene is a plastic synthesized by polymerizing propylene (molecular formula: C3H6, structural formula: CH2=CH-CH3).
Polypropylene was discovered in 1954 by Mr. Natta of Italy, who discovered that it could be synthesized using a titanium-based organometallic compound called Ziegler-Natta catalyst. In Japan, industrial mass production began in 1962.
Among commodity resins, polypropylene can be produced at a lower cost and is second only to polyethylene in production volume. With a specific gravity of 0.9, it is small, scratch-resistant, strong, and chemical-resistant. It is used in a wide range of applications, from household materials such as packaging materials and food containers to automotive and medical supplies.
Polypropylene is classified as a thermoplastic resin that softens when heated above its glass transition point or melting point.
Polypropylene is used in an extremely wide range of applications, taking advantage of its characteristics.
Food containers are a typical application for polypropylene. Polypropylene is a crystalline resin with high heat resistance and low dielectric constant, so it does not generate heat even when exposed to high frequencies in microwave ovens. This feature is used not only in general-purpose food containers but also in Tupperware for storing food ingredients for repeated use.
Next, automotive applications are attracting attention. Polypropylene is beginning to be used for bumpers and lamp housings, where metal materials have been used in the past, due to its low specific gravity and high strength. In the future, the replacement of electric vehicles with electric vehicles is expected to accelerate the development of lightweight automotive parts made of polypropylene.
Polypropylene is a nonpolar polymer composed only of carbon and hydrogen, making it highly resistant to organic solvents, acids, and alkalis. Therefore, polypropylene is used in laboratory equipment and measuring instruments that come in contact with solvents, as well as syringes for syringes in the medical field.
Polypropylene is nonpolar, as mentioned above, and therefore has poor dyeability and printability. However, recent technological advances such as surface treatment have made this possible, and polypropylene is increasingly being used as a quick-drying material.
Polypropylene can be easily crystallized and has excellent heat resistance and mechanical strength. Molded products have high surface hardness and are not easily scratched. It is also possible to make grades with the desired strength by blending glass fibers and fillers.
Water resistance is as low as 0.01%, making it suitable for use in food containers, pipes, and other applications that are exposed to water for long periods of time. On the other hand, it has several drawbacks, the first of which is poor adhesion and printability. As a non-polar resin, it is incompatible with polar adhesives and does not wet well with inks.
The second problem is low weather resistance.
Polypropylene deteriorates and oxidizes when exposed to ultraviolet rays, resulting in a decrease in mechanical strength and bleaching. However, the addition of UV absorbers and antioxidants can compensate for these shortcomings.
Polypropylene is a thermoplastic resin, which means that it becomes fluid when heated above its melting point. There are a wide variety of molding methods, including injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, and vacuum molding. Injection molding using molds enables mass production of products at a lower cost than other methods.
Polypropylene crystallizes easily, so if a flat product is desired, ribs should be placed where performance is not a problem, or the mold temperature and cooling conditions should be carefully controlled. Polypropylene sheets produced by extrusion molding or press molding can be easily bent or cut, making it possible to manufacture parts with a variety of shapes.
In recent years, it has also been used as a material for 3D printers that do not require molds.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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ExxonMobil is a Texas-based multinational oil and gas corporation that operates as a producer, manufacturer, supplier and distributor across 200 countries and territories around the world. Formed in 1999 with the merger of companies Exxon and Mobil, the corporation's primary commodities include oil products such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, as well as chemicals like propylene, polyethylene, polypropylene. Other commodities include crude oil and natural gas extracted — as well as refined — via ExxonMobil's subsidiaries and partners like Exxon Neftegas, ExxonMobil Australia, and ExxonMobil Nigeria.
Weihai Lianqiao New Material Science & Technology Co. Ltd., established in 2005 and headquartered in Weihai, China, is a manufacturer of polymer materials and related products. The company, a subsidiary of Lianqiao International Group, manufactures Pex-b material, medical plastics, and color masterbatch. Its products include Pex-B materials for underfloor heating pipes, inner tubes for sanitary products, and medical-grade materials. It modifies polymer materials and precision die-cutting products, serving medical packaging, construction, and electronics industries. The company is recognized as a "National High-tech Enterprise" and "Top 10 Enterprises in China's Modified Plastics Industry" for its creativity and manufacturing excellence.
LG Chem has been a manufacturer and supplier of Chemicals since 1947 having its headquarters in South Korea. The company designs Petrochemical products such as Acrylate which is used in adhesives, and Polymer Catalysts which are used in making Synthetic Rubber. They also make Advanced Materials like Anode Binders which have applications in the manufacturing of batteries and other materials like LUCEL which is an engineering plastic based on POM used to make switches and gears. They also make Reagents for Allergy Tests, Allergens, and Systems to serve the Life Sciences industry.
Ensinger, founded in 1966 in Germany as solely a manufacturer of plastics for commercial customers, has grown to manufacture performance and engineering thermoplastics for numerous industries worldwide. The company's products include plastic compounds, extruded semi-finished products, injection-molded finished parts, as well as compressed and cast-formed parts. Ensinger serves the plant engineering, building construction, automotive, aerospace, medical, and food markets, among many other industries. The company has over 30 international production and sales locations, serving customers across the globe.
Axion Ltd., established in 2002 and headquartered in Bramhall, England, is a manufacturer of resource recovery and recycled materials. The company's products include axpoly recycled ABS, polystyrene pellets, and axplas recycled plastic chips. It manages specialist waste collection schemes, such as recofloor, a take-back program for used vinyl flooring. It converts non-metallic waste from end-of-life vehicles and electronic goods into recycled plastics, aggregates, and alternative fuels. The company's services include recyclability assessments, sustainable product design, and packaging design for recycling. It also provides business and investor support through market research, feasibility studies, and business planning.
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc was established in 1997 and is a manufacturer and supplier of healthcare, mobility, ICT, and green materials solutions headquartered in Chuo, Tokyo, Japan. The company produces products such as cyclic olefin copolymer, glass fiber reinforced polypropylene, metal integrated molding parts, meltblown nonwoven fabric, and carbon fiber composite material. The products are used in various applications such as automobiles, chemical products, home appliances, construction materials, and water treatments. The company has obtained certificate of ISO 14001 standards.
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation was founded in 1933 and has a head office in Tokyo, Japan. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation provides products including chemicals, industrial gases, and health care products to customers globally. Mitsubishi Chemical Group’s performance products division manufactures and distributes. functional food materials, electronic and electrical components, specialty chemicals, and other products. Mitsubishi Chemical health care products include pharmaceuticals, drug discovery solutions, diagnostic reagents, and instruments for medical use. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation also provides other services such as engineering, information systems, logistics, and consulting.
INEOS, established in 1998 with headquarters in the UK, is a global manufacturer of petrochemicals, specialty chemicals, and oil products, operating over 30 individual business units that have expanded across the chemical and oil and gas industries, with diversification into consumer brands. The company's consumer brands include INEOS Grenadier 4X4 vehicles, INEOS Hygienics, and Belstaff clothing. INEOS Group's oil and gas operations include the long-term extraction of natural gas, the INEOS FPS pipeline, and INEOS Shale for the exploration and extraction of shale. The company's chemical operations include the production of ABS-standard and styrenic specialties, acetic acid, and INEOS Aromatics.
Teknor Apex is a polymer manufacturer that delivers essential products spanning bottles, boots, dashboards, and earbuds. Since its establishment in 1924, the company has emerged as a preferred source for tailored polymer solutions, showcasing expertise across six distinct divisions and nearly a century of operational history. Standing out with its unparalleled material testing and quality control capabilities, the company propels advancement through its team and state-of-the-art laboratories. As a privately held entity guided by unwavering ethical principles, it places substantial emphasis on fostering customer relationships.
Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) is a Saudi Arabian manufacturer of chemicals and intermediates established in 1976 and based in Riyadh. The company produces various basic and performance chemicals, as well as intermediates, polymers, agri-nutrients, and specialty composites. They serve companies in the industrial sectors of roughly 50 countries, with a workforce of more than 31,000 employees. SABIC has secondary large facilities in Yanbu and Al-Jubail, and is a parent company of over 38 subsidiaries and affiliate operations in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America.
LyondellBasell, formally established in 2009, is a global manufacturer of raw chemicals, polymers, and fuels, with regional headquarters in the USA, the UK, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands. The company's products include basic chemicals, plastic resins, and advanced chemical composites, which are used across various industries such as sports and leisure, infrastructure, packaging, agriculture, and automotive. As one of the largest plastics, chemicals, and refining companies in the world, LyondellBasell's custom solutions range from client-specific product design and production to full plant design and start-up services.
Mitsubishi Chemical America, Inc. (MCA) is a chemical products manufacturer and distributor based in Greer, South Carolina. The company was established in 2017 as one of four regional headquarters of the Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC), which supplies North American companies like Boeing, Tesla, and Bemis Company, Ltd. The company produces, imports, and distributes MCC products such as ion exchange resins used for metals recovery or water processing, optical reflective sheets used in liquid crystal backlights, and various monomers and polymers used in infrastructure and transportation. MCA serves a wide range of industries including aerospace and defense, energy, and construction.
Port Plastics, an American company established in 1961 and based in the City of Industry, California, is a manufacturer and supplier of industrial plastic solutions. The company offers a range of products including PI polyimide grades, polycarbonate materials, and polypropylene sheets and rods. These products find application in various industries, including semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace and defense, and the food and beverage industry. The company provides services including technical support and customized products based on the customers’ needs and requirements.
Repsol, founded in 1972, and located in Madrid, Spain, is a supplier of integrated energy company operating globally. Its products, including oil, gas, petrochemicals, electricity, and renewables, catering to industries such as transportation, power generation, and industrial sectors. The company holds certifications such as Dow Jones Sustainability and UN Global Compact. The company also is involved in all aspects of the energy industry, from exploration and production to refining and marketing. Repsol continues to be a part to the energy industry's evolution and environmental responsibility.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | MOLGROUP |
21.9%
|
2 | Formosa Plastics Corporation |
8.4%
|
3 | Ducor Petrochemicals |
7.6%
|
4 | Repsol |
7.3%
|
5 | Ensinger |
7.0%
|
6 | MITSUI CHEMICALS AMERICA, INC |
6.1%
|
7 | Exxon Mobil Corporation |
6.1%
|
8 | SABIC |
5.6%
|
9 | INEOS |
4.7%
|
10 | LyondellBasell Industries |
4.1%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the polypropylene page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 3 | 27.3% |
United Kingdom | 2 | 18.2% |
Japan | 2 | 18.2% |
China | 1 | 9.1% |
Republic of Korea | 1 | 9.1% |
Germany | 1 | 9.1% |
Spain | 1 | 9.1% |
27 products are listed.
Ont Rading Co., Ltd.
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■ Overview "Fcell" is an independent bridge low bubble polypropylene sheet based on the extruding gas foam technology of Furukawa Electric Industri...
Ont Rading Co., Ltd.
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■ Overview "Fcell" is an independent bridge low bubble polypropylene sheet based on the extruding gas foam technology of Furukawa Electric Industri...
SUMITOMO SEIKA CHEMICALS CO.,LTD.
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It is a polypropylene powder powdered by our unique crushing method. ■ Characteristics High softening temperature, strong pulling, bending strengt...
Okamoto Industries,Inc.
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A sheet made of polypropylene resin, durable and flexible. Color variations are also available in addition to products that add to be antistatic, ...
Seadam Co., Ltd.
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■ Overview -Polypropylene is a low -specific gravity, reduces plastic use, is highly recycled, and is an environment -friendly material that does n...
Fujiri Corporation Co., Ltd.
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Made of polypropylene and polystyrene, there is no rack.
Ont Rading Co., Ltd.
90+ people viewing
■ Overview "Fcell" is an independent bridge low bubble polypropylene sheet based on the extruding gas foam technology of Furukawa Electric Industri...