Benvitec’s Top 5 Plastics

Which plastics to use for which application?

At Benvitec, we work with a wide range of plastics, but these five are our absolute favorites. Each one offers unique properties that make it perfectly suited for specific industrial uses.

1. PE (Polyethylene)

Polyethylene is strong, durable, and widely known for its chemical resistance and toughness. It’s one of the most commonly used plastics worldwide—and also at Benvitec.

Types of PE

PE 100
HDPE / PE 300 (high density)
HMPE / PE 500 (high molecular weight)
UHMPE / PE 1000 (ultra-high molecular weight)

Our construction department primarily uses HDPE, especially for pipes and storage tanks. The black version is UV-resistant and ideal for outdoor applications.

Our machining department often works with HMPE and UHMPE: wear-resistant, low friction, and available in black, natural, blue, green, and reddish-brown.

Food Grade variants are suitable for direct contact with food.

Properties

High chemical resistance
Excellent electrical insulation
Moisture-repellent
Tough and impact-resistant
Temperature range: -30 to 80 °C
Recyclable (symbols 2–4)

Applications

Transport and logistics
Machine construction
Food and meat processing industries

2. PP (Polypropylene )

Polypropylene is a lightweight, rigid thermoplastic known for its chemical resistance and versatility. It’s often recognized by its grey or beige color.

Properties

Lightweight
Moisture-resistant
Impact-resistant and tough
Temperature range: 0 to 100 °C
Excellent chemical resistance
Recyclable (symbol 5)

Applications

Technical equipment construction
Storage tanks and piping systems
Industrial components
Automotive parts
Building materials
Chemical Industry

3. POM (Polyoxymethylene)

POM is a rigid, highly dimensionally stable plastic with excellent mechanical properties and very low friction.

Properties

Wear, impact, and shock resistant
Excellent machinability
Temperature range: -40 to 120 °C
Low moisture absorption
Good electrical insulation
Available in food grade
Recyclable (symbol 7)

Applications

Food industry
Electrical engineering
Medical devices
Machine building
Precision parts
Bearings
Gears

4. PA (Polyamide)

Polyamide (or nylon) is hard, rigid, and known for its wear resistance and excellent sliding properties. It is ideal for applications with mechanical stress.

Properties

Highly wear-resistant
Hard, stiff, tough, and impact-resistant
Excellent sliding and rolling performance
Good machinability
Temperature range: -40 to 80 °C
Moisture-absorbing
Excellent chemical resistance
Recyclable (symbol 7)

Applications

Gears and racks
Slide bearings and plates
Pulleys and rollers
Scrapers and cutting plates
Automotive parts and industrial components

5. AEP (Advanced Engineering Plastics)

AEP refers to a group of high-performance plastics that offer superior properties in terms of temperature resistance, chemical stability, and structural performance.

Properties

High mechanical strength and stiffness at elevated temperatures
Reliable performance up to 230 °C
Excellent insulating and dielectric properties
Among the best chemical resistance of any polymer

Applications

Analytical instrumentation
Medical devices
Life sciences
Semiconductor manufacturing

Examples

PEEK: bearings, seals, medical implants, aerospace components
PPS: electrical and automotive partsPPS: voor auto-elektronica en technische onderdelen
PEI: heat-resistant, flame-retardant, used in aerospace and electronics
PTFE (Teflon): coatings, seals, pipes—ideal where lubrication and corrosion resistance are key