Maximize natural light without compromising material strength, energy savings or design possibilities with performance plastics in building applications. From commercial greenhouses to hurricane-resistant glazing, performance plastics deliver exceptional versatility, durability, and sustainability across every building type.
Applications
- Commercial, institutional and residential greenhouses
- Entryway canopies
- Bus shelters, specialty enclosures
- Carports
- Sloped and curved glazing
- Skylights
- Security windows, hurricane glazing and shutters
- Sound barriers
- Interior partitions, room dividers
- Lighting lenses, tubes and louvers
- Mirrors
- Furniture, benches and tables
- Corner guards and run rails
- Barrier, protective and reflective films
- Caulking and sealants
- Piping
- Wiring jacketing
- Bearing pads
Advantages May Include
- Lightweight for faster and safer installation
- High impact strength
- Hailstone and hurricane resistant
- Lighter than glass
- Lower freight costs than heavier materials
- High strength-to-weight ratio
- Easy to fabricate, including on-site fabrication
- Building code approved
- Fire resistant; does not give off toxic gasses
- UV resistant
- Transparent / high light transmission
- Wide range of color or tint options
- Easy to decorate
- Energy efficient; excellent thermal insulation properties
- Sustainable, can be recycled
- Chemical resistance
Materials
- Acrylic (PMMA)
- Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC)
- Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE)
- Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (FRP)
- Polycarbonate (PC), including Multiwall Polycarbonate
- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETG)
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
- PVC/Acrylic Alloy (PMMA)
- Polyolefin Alloy (PO)
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Polystyrene (PS)
- Recycled Plastic Lumber
- Polyethylene (PE)
- Polyvinyl Fluoride (PVF)
- Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
- Perfluoroalkoxy (PFA)
- Silicone (SI)
Sustainability Advantages of Performance Plastics
Construction Materials
467.2T
BTU of energy saved per year by using plastic building materials vs. alternatives — enough to meet the annual energy needs of 4.6 million U.S. households.
Source: plasticsmakeitpossible.com
95%
less CO₂ emitted by plastic building blocks compared to traditional building bricks.
Source: plasticseurope.org
1,613 t
of concrete and 136 tons of CO₂ emissions saved by using recycled plastic in the construction of a 13-story residential tower.
Source: marshmclennan.com
20% → 6%
Building & construction accounts for ~20% of plastic demand, yet generates only 6% of plastic waste due to its long service life.
Source: modernbuildingalliance.eu
Insulation
200×
Energy saved vs. energy used to manufacture plastic insulation
Source: pubs.rsc.org
2,400M
Tons of greenhouse gas saved over the lifetime of insulating foams in buildings
Source: cia.org.uk
360 BTU
Energy saved by house wraps for every 1 BTU used to make the materials
Source: plasticsmakeitpossible.com
16% less
Energy consumed by plastic insulation vs. alternative materials
9% less
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced vs. alternative insulation materials
Windows / Glazing
40 yrs
Service life of PVC windows — and they are 100% recyclable
Source: shiniusa.com
15–25%
Annual energy savings for cooling & heating with IR sheet vs. double-pane glass
Source: iibec.org
$33–$53
Per m² annual energy savings with IR sheet, reducing carbon emissions by 143,360–235,200 lbs
Source: iibec.org
iapd
the performance plastics association
Sustainability
Champions
Champions