Performance plastics deliver exceptional value across agriculture — from tanks, feeders and irrigation systems to augers, bearings and structural panels. With self-lubricating grades, UV inhibited options, and sound-deadening properties, these materials help farmers run quieter, more efficient and more sustainable operations.
Applications
- Tanks (water, chemical, fuel)
- Kickplates (interior horse trailer walls, ladder bases)
- Chutes (linings, troughs, pivots)
- Panels (shields, shrouds, side panels, roof components)
- Pipe (slurry material distribution, watering systems)
- Feeders (livestock and poultry feed bins, drinking systems)
- Irrigation (pipe, valves, nozzles, bearings)
- Planting/harvesting (seed boxes, bearings/bushings, slide pads)
- Covers (cultivator shanks, tanks, hoppers, storage bins, skid plates)
- Augers (flight facings, linings, drag plates)
- Seals (bucket elevators, bearings, spray systems, oil/fuel systems)
- Bushings, bearings, cams, gears, tensioners
- Skid plates, plowshares, feeder tubes, wear strips
- Partitions/skylights (barns, greenhouses, poultry, bins, dairy farms, sheds, kennels, workshops, roofing systems)
Advantages May Include
- Lightweight (easier to handle, store and less expensive to ship)
- Easier to machine and install
- Corrosion resistant (eliminates rust and special corrosion coatings)
- Excellent insulating properties
- Excellent strength-to-weight ratios
- Outstanding toughness and impact resistant
- Reduction/elimination of external lubrication possible
- Many materials are recyclable
- Excellent cost-performance ratio
- Improves product flow, less sticking and "carry-back," less product damage
- Excellent light transmission & various tints available
- Shatter resistant
- Reduced coefficient of friction (especially self-lubricating grades)
- Reduced or eliminated "stick-slip"
- Reduced wear on mating parts & longer wear life
- Fire and UL listed grades available
- UV inhibited grades (reduces premature disposal of parts)
- Antistatic grades (prevent fires and explosions due to static discharge)
- Sound-deadening properties reduce need for ear protection
Materials
- Acetal (POM)
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
- Nylon (PA)
- Polycarbonate (PC)
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
- Polyvinylidene Fluoride (CPVC)
- Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
- Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMW)
Sustainability Advantages of Performance Plastics
2x
Greenhouses made with performance plastics increase yields by 2x and extend the growing season, so farmers can produce more food on less land.
Source: ocj.com
25%
Using plastic mulch can increase yield and water use efficiency by 25% and allow for farming in areas that would otherwise be too dry or cold to grow food.
Source: ocj.com
Corrugated polycarbonate sheet used in skylight, sidelight and roofing applications (e.g. greenhouses and barns) can:
99.9%
Block harmful UV radiation
<50%
The weight of glass
90%
Light transmission allowed
Using polycarbonate sheet to daylight barns eliminates the need to provide electricity, directly reducing the farmer's carbon footprint.
Source: palram.com/us/product/sunsky-polycarbonate-corrugated-sheets/
Circular Economy & Sustainability
♻
Agricultural plastics are recycled into
"plastic wood" & secondary products
"plastic wood" & secondary products
→
Less
Landfill
Landfill
Keeps materials out of landfills & creates demand for recycling facilities
→
More
Sustainable
Sustainable
Makes farms more sustainable for future generations
Source: iapd.org
iapd
the performance plastics association
Sustainability
Champions
Champions