In practice, plastics are rarely “pure.” Their properties are specifically tailored to meet specific requirements. This is exactly where plastic compounds come into play. When you develop or procure plastic parts, compounds significantly influence function, cost, and quality. They determine whether a component is robust, UV-resistant, or electrically conductive. Read more in this article.
Simon Andreß
Updated on June 3, 2026
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Plastic compounds are plastics whose properties are specifically adjusted through the use of additives. To achieve this, a base polymer such as (e.g., ABS, PS, PC, etc.) is combined with additives, fillers, or fibers. This process is called compounding. The goal is to improve existing material properties or create new functions.
Fiber-reinforced compounds such as GMT or LFT are primarily used in organic sheet technology. This article focuses on compounds for traditional plastic deep drawing. The focus is on functional additives that enhance the performance of standard plastics
| Standard Plastic | Plastic Compound |
|---|---|
| consists of pure polymer | contains additives or fillers |
| limited properties | properties that can be specifically tailored |
| less expensive | more expensive, but higher-performance |
| Universally applicable | Optimized for specific applications |
Many common thermoplastics can be further developed into compounds:
| Material | Application |
|---|---|
| ABS / ASA | robust applications |
| HD-PE / PP | cost-effective solutions |
| PC / PMMA | high transparency and strength |
| PET-A / PET-G | ideal for packaging |
| PS / PVC | Versatile for use in technical and industrial applications |
Plastic additives are used to specifically improve the properties of plastics. Typical modifications include:
Accordingly, plastic additives are used to specifically influence mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties. Without them, many technical applications would not be feasible at all.
The term “compounding” refers to the industrial process of material preparation. In compounding, polymers and additives are processed in several steps.
This involves precisely determining which components are needed and in what quantities:
The base material is heated in a machine, usually an extruder (see Plastic Extrusion), until it melts. You can think of this as melting plastic pellets into a viscous mass. In this state, the material can be processed optimally.
The additives are now incorporated into the plastic melt. It is crucial that:
This step determines the final quality of the plastic compound.
During the process, undesirable components may form, e.g.:
These are specifically removed to ensure material quality.
The finished plastic mixture is then extruded from the machine and cooled. It is then cut into small, uniform pellets. This granulate is the actual “compound” that is later processed further.
Plastic compounds can be distinguished by the type of additives used.
Additive-based compounds are primarily used for functional modification. In this process, substances are added to the plastic to specifically produce certain effects. For example, antistatic agents reduce electrostatic charge and provide ESD protection, while flame retardants improve fire resistance.
Stabilizers protect the plastic from UV radiation or thermal aging, and lubricants ensure better processability and lower friction.
Filler-based compounds are primarily aimed at mechanical optimization. Mineral fillers such as calcium carbonate or talc increase stiffness and improve dimensional stability. At the same time, they can reduce costs by partially replacing the more expensive base polymer. Carbon black is also used to increase UV resistance and extend the service life of components used outdoors.
Plastic compounds are a good choice when standard materials are not sufficient. Typical applications include, for example:
Plastic compounding enables the use of recycled materials and improves their properties for more demanding applications. They reduce material consumption through lighter components and extend service life.
At the same time, fluctuating material qualities and complex blends can make recycling more difficult. Higher development and material costs are also possible, which is why a targeted and application-oriented material selection is crucial.
Plastic compounds are used wherever standard materials are not sufficient.
| Advantages of Plastic Compounds | Disadvantages of Plastic Compounds |
|---|---|
| Customized properties | Higher material costs |
| Higher performance than standard plastics | More complex processing |
| Wide range of applications | Longer development time |
| Combination of multiple functions in a single material |
Plastic compounds are a key component for high-performance thermoformed plastic parts. They allow materials to be precisely tailored to your requirements, whether you need higher strength, better UV resistance or special functions. Compounds transform standard plastics into true high-performance materials. Inquire now!
Plastic compounds are plastics that have been specifically enhanced with additives to achieve certain properties, such as strength or UV resistance.