Uses for Woven Polypropylene

Polypropylene bags are used in many different types of industries. But why is polypropylene preferred over other synthetic materials?

Polypropylene is actually a synthetic polymer that was first discovered in the 1950's. To make polypropylene, chemists mix several different chemicals together. A catalyst chemical is added which then transforms the mix into a polymer. The final product resembles a plastic woven fabric. This strong woven fabric can then be used to create a variety of products.

It is also used to create traffic cones, trash receptacles and shipping materials.

How Is It Made?

Believe it or not, the process to make the reusable plastic bags that you see in the grocery store is a bit complex. That's because the bags are made from woven material. Creating plastic woven fabric is a bit like weaving yarn on a loom. Think about the reusable plastic bags that you can purchase at the grocery store. These heavy duty woven plastic bags can be used many times before they need to be discarded.

In order to make the bags, manufacturers actually weave plastic together using both horizontal and vertical strips of plastic. This creates a woven pattern. After the fabric is woven, the polypropylene is heated so that the pieces of woven plastic are fused together.

What about the non-woven plastic grocery bags? Those bags are created with the same material, but the manufacturing process is slightly different. Non-woven bags are made from the same material as woven bags. It's just the processing that makes these items look and feel different.

How Is It Used?

Polypropylene is most often used to create bags and storage items. The woven plastic fabric makes an excellent choice when looking for packaging for bird food, grain, pet food and animal feed. Polypropylene is also used to create traffic cones, trash receptacles and shipping materials. Polypropylene is great for holding a variety of materials. What Can Be

Made From Woven Polypropylene?

Many different things can be made from woven polypropylene. Most people are familiar with the re-usable shopping bags that can be purchased and found at different stores. However other things like construction materials, recreational items, and agricultural items can also be made from woven polypropylene.

In the field of agriculture, woven polypropylene is used to create heavy duty bags to hold animal feed. Since the feed is heavy and often stored in rustic areas, the bags must be very sturdy so that they don't rip or tear. Woven bags are used for dry pet kibble, cracked corn for deer and chickens, rice, and pellets for rabbits. Of course, this is just a small list of the many ways that woven polypropylene can be used.

Woven polypropylene is also used to create recreational items like tents, duffle bags, and sun shades. Because these items are used in harsh environments, they need to be made of durable materials that won't fall apart

Construction companies use polypropylene materials in a variety of ways. The woven fabric is often used to create temporary, yet sturdy fences or screens during the construction process. These fences and screens are sometimes used for aesthetic reasons, but most often they're used for safety reasons. The fencing can ensure that construction materials stay in the construction zone and do not harm any passing motorists or pedestrians.

Polypropylene is also used to prevent or reduce the effects of flooding. Sturdy woven bags are often filled with sand to create sandbags. These sandbags are used worldwide to keep water out of certain areas. Sandbags are also used in the construction of dams, river banks, and canals. This ensures that there will be no erosion of areas during heavy flooding.

Why Use Polypropylene?

Polypropylene is one of the most versatile and sustainable materials available today. Not only is this widely used resource reusable, but it is recyclable too. Used or damaged polypropylene items can be melted down, and this melted material can then be used to create other products. In addition to this, the items created from polypropylene are sturdy; they can withstand a lot before becoming unusable. Because of all of these things, it's easy to see why polypropylene is in high demand.

Contact NYP Corp or view our Woven Polypropylene Bags & Rolls