Plastics are a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic materials composed primarily of polymers. Their defining characteristic, plasticity, allows them to be molded, extruded, or pressed into a diverse …

Jan 24, 2026 · plastic, polymeric material that has the capability of being molded or shaped, usually by the application of heat and pressure.

Oct 31, 2025 · Plastic products are generally versatile, durable and lightweight. Plastic products are prominent in the construction, transportation, and packaging industries. Plastic innovations …

Apr 25, 2023 · Affordable, durable and flexible, plastic pervades modern life, appearing in everything from packaging to clothes to beauty products. But it is thrown away on a massive scale: every year, …

Dec 3, 2025 · Editor’s note: This page was updated on February 11, 2026, to correct the modelled years of healthy life lost from open burning and to fix other minor errors and typos. Preface In 2020, The …

Nov 18, 2025 · Plastic coverage from Scientific American, featuring news and articles about advances in the field.

Plastic is a versatile material used to make thousands of products people use every day. Learn about the types of plastic classification, history and unique chemistry that gives plastic its variety of uses …

Jun 19, 2025 · Plastics Talks to end plastic pollution crisis fail Global talks aimed at ending the plastic pollution crisis failed once again after 11 days of work at the United Nations office in Geneva.

May 28, 2025 · Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues, thanks to the overwhelming rise in production of disposable plastic products. Plastic pollution is most visible in...

In this article, we'll examine the chemistry of plastic, how it's made, how it's used, and how it's disposed of and recycled. We'll also look at some new biologically based plastics and their role in the future of …