PP (Polypropylene)

Also called: Polypropylene, PP homopolymer, PP copolymer, resin code 5

Polypropylene (PP) is a light, tough polyolefin used in moulded goods, raffia and packaging, and one of the most traded recycled plastics in India.

Polypropylene (PP) is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic from the polyolefin family. It is the lightest of the common commodity plastics, with a density of about 0.90-0.91 g/cm3, so it floats in water. It carries resin identification code 5. PP is sold as homopolymer (stiffer), random copolymer (clearer) and impact copolymer (tougher at low temperatures).

Recycled forms traded

• Scrap and regrind from crates, buckets, furniture, battery cases and moulding rejects.
• Raffia waste such as woven sacks and tapes, often converted into agglomerate.
• Recycled granules in natural, coloured and black grades, and filled compounds.

Why it matters when buying recycled plastic

• Specify homopolymer or copolymer, because they behave differently in moulding and impact.
• Check MFI (usually tested at 230 C / 2.16 kg) against your process: injection moulding needs higher flow than extrusion.
• PP and PE are easily mixed in post-consumer streams and are hard to separate by flotation; see our PP vs HDPE guide.
• Ask for ash content if the material may contain talc or calcium carbonate filler.

Common uses

Household articles, crates, chairs, automotive parts, caps and closures, woven sacks, strapping, pipes and fibres.