Plastics may not always be visible in the building and construction sector but are indispensable nevertheless! This industry uses plastics for a wide and growing range of applications, from insulation to piping, and window frames to interior design. The continued popularity of plastics in this sector is due to their durability, strength, resistance to corrosion, low maintenance, cost-effectiveness and aesthetically pleasing finish.
In 2006, the Building and Construction sector consumed 10.3 million tonnes of plastics (21 % of total plastics consumption in Western Europe) making it the third largest plastics user (after packaging and household equipment sectors). That’s because plastics have a number of vital properties which, exploited alone or together, make a significant and expanding contribution to our building and construction needs.
These include:
- Durable and corrosion resistant: plastics are durable, making them ideal for applications such as window frames and pipes.
- Insulation: plastics provide effective insulation for cold, heat, saving energy and reducing noise pollution.
- Cost effective: plastics components are often more economical to produce in custom-made forms, they are durable, resistant to corrosion and have a long life.
- Maintenance minimisation: maintenance such as painting is minimised and often completely removed.
- Hygienic and clean: plastics pipes are ideal for water transportation. Plastics are a hygienic choice for household surfaces and floor coverings because they are easy to clean and impermeable.
- Environmentally sound: plastics save resources through cost-effective production, ease of installation and long-life. In a typical house, it is estimated that the energy equivalent to that needed to produce plastics insulation in the first place is saved after only one year of use! After use, plastics can be re-used, recycled or turned into a source of energy.