Apr 25, 2023

How Do We Interact With Polymers?

Polymers are everywhere in our daily lives, from the plastics in our appliances and gadgets to the fibers in our clothes. In fact, it's hard to imagine modern life without polymers. A polymer is a large molecule made up of repeating subunits.

Natural polymers can be found in countless products we use every day. Here are a few examples of how we interact with polymers in our daily lives.


Plastic Use

Firstly, plastics are one of the most common types of polymers we encounter every day. Plastic bags, containers, and packaging materials are ubiquitous and convenient for storage and transportation.



The versatility of plastics allows them to be used in a variety of products, including toys, furniture, and electronics. However, plastic waste has become a significant environmental issue. There are efforts underway to reduce plastic waste by promoting recycling and alternative materials.


Clothes & Polymers

Secondly, polymers are also commonly found in fabrics and textiles. Synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, and spandex are widely used in clothing, bedding, and other textiles. These fibers offer benefits like durability, elasticity, and resistance to wrinkles and stains. However, some people prefer natural fibers like cotton, wool, and silk, which are biodegradable and may be more comfortable to wear.


Paint Use

Finally, polymers are used in a variety of other products, including adhesives, paints, and coatings. Adhesives like superglue and epoxy rely on polymers to create strong bonds between materials. Paints and coatings often use polymers to improve durability, resistance to weather and wear, and other performance characteristics.

In conclusion, we interact with polymers every day, whether we're using plastics, wearing synthetic fabrics, or using adhesives and coatings. While polymers have many benefits, they also pose challenges to our environment, and efforts are underway to reduce waste and promote sustainable alternatives. As consumers, we can make choices that support these efforts, like recycling, choosing natural fibers, and seeking out products made from eco-friendly materials.


Contact Us!

The Polymers Center can be a valuable resource if you are looking for polymer training or product testing services. The Polymers Center is a non-profit organization that offers a variety of services to the polymer industry, including product testing and training.

From basic polymer science to advanced processing techniques, we offer a variety of training courses to meet the needs of individuals and businesses in the polymer industry. The Polymers Center also offers product testing services to assist businesses in evaluating and improving their products. Our cutting-edge testing facilities include, among other things, mechanical testing, thermal analysis, and microscopy.

To learn more about the training and product testing services offered by the Polymers Center, you can visit their website or contact them directly. Their experienced team can help you identify the services that are most relevant to your needs and provide you with the support you need to achieve your goals.

Maag PRIMOPlus 200 Strand Pelletizer
13 Feb, 2024
The Polymers Center is pleased to announce a new addition to our production and lab lines. Our partners at the Maag Group have graciously consigned a PRIMOPlus 200 Strand Pelletizer to The Polymer Center. With throughputs up to 3,000 lbs/hr and a dual drive allowing for easy changes on pellet length and weight, this is a great addition to our new Leistriz 40mm Extrusion line.
Armorial Molding of coat of arms, from gutta percha c. 1850
By Philip S. Shoemaker, PhD 23 Jan, 2024
In May 1848, Henry Bewley, of the Gutta Percha Company of London, patented a process for making flexible syringes and tubes of gutta percha. He described the process as one that involved “filling a suitable mold with a substance in a granular state,” after which he would “subject these molds to a heat sufficient to liquefy the gutta percha, which on subsequent cooling will be found to retain the exact shape or figure of the molds.” His company went on to make various molded and, later, extruded products, including wire coating for submarine cables.
The Polymers Center Facility, Charlotte, NC
19 Dec, 2023
Since its beginning in 1998, The Polymers Center has supported, maintained, and encouraged companies in the polymers industry. This year, The Polymers Center is proud to celebrate its 25th Anniversary.
The Polymers Center Injection Molding Lab
12 Oct, 2023
The Polymers Center is honored to be the backdrop of a Bloomberg Businessweek interview featuring Kevin Callahan, Chief Operating Officer of BP Polymers LLC. On September 29, Bloomberg published an article about PFAS and the containers in which they are held.
The Polymers Center Training Facility
12 Oct, 2023
The Polymers Center welcomed three speakers from Technip Energies, T.EN Zimmer GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany - Stefan Deiss, Head of Product Management and R&D, Dr. Willi Smolan, Product Manager Polymers, and Dr. David Wilkes, Product Manager Polymers.
30 Mar, 2023
Understanding Polymers and Polymer Materials
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