What is Polypropylene (PP)?

Polypropylene is a versatile plastic that is commonly used for a variety of tasks – and is one of the most common plastics found within packaging. It is especially popular in the pharmaceutical industry, due to its durable and chemical-resistant properties.

In this article, Origin explains what makes polypropylene so desirable, as well as its various uses within the pharmaceutical industry and the advantages and disadvantages of using

What is Polypropylene Plastic?

Polypropylene (PP) is a type of thermoplastic used in a variety of industries and applications. It is known for its versatility, affordability and durability.

It is a polymer formed from the monomer propylene and belongs to the polyolefin family of thermoplastics.

The key properties of polypropylene are high chemical resistance, impressive tensile strength and excellent thermal stability. It’s also lightweight, has a low density and is resistant to moisture and wear.

Due to these properties, polypropylene is used in a variety of industries, as automotive parts, consumer products, textiles, medical devices and in pharmaceutical packaging.

Polypropylene is produced through a process known as ‘polymerization’, in which propylene monomers are chemically bonded together to form long chains of polymer molecules. This process can be done through various techniques, from injection moulding to extrusion and mould blowing. This is what gives the plastic its impressive durable and resistant properties.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Polypropylene Plastic

Polypropylene plastic often proves the perfect material – providing strong and durable properties in packaging, protective layering and more. However, the material also has some potential weaknesses that make it less desirable in certain situations.

Here, we take a look at the main advantages and disadvantages of using polypropylene plastic:

Advantages

  • Chemical & Moisture Resistance: Polypropylene has a high resistance to chemicals and moisture, making it perfect for pharmaceutical packaging or chemical storage.
  • Resistant To Wear: Polypropylene plastic is also highly resistant to wear over time, meaning it can be reused multiple times (depending on its purpose).
  • Inexpensive: Polypropylene is relatively inexpensive to produce, making it an attractive material for high-volume manufacturing.

Disadvantages

  • Vulnerable To UV: Despite its many advantages, polypropylene plastic is highly vulnerable to UV rays and degrades over time in direct sunlight.
  • Low Impact Strength: Despite its relatively impressive tensile strength, polypropylene plastic has a low impact strength, meaning that it should not be used for protection for items that are vulnerable to sudden crushing impacts.

What is Polypropylene used for?

Polypropylene has many uses: as plastic bottles, cups, jars, and food packaging. It is also used in textiles and the automotive industry, for interior trims, batteries, and even car bumpers. Polypropylene is mostly used in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, used to assist patients and save lives through a range of devices, equipment and packaging solutions:

  • Medical Masks: Due to its high chemical resistance, polypropylene can also be used as a middle layer within medical masks to help protect against airborne pathogens. Polypropylene masks were especially helpful during the COVID-19 pandemic in halting the spread of the virus.
  • Medical Equipment: Polypropylene is also used in other single-use medical supplies such as gloves and protective shoe covers due to its high chemical resistance and low cost.
  • Labware & Equipment: Due to its high chemical resistance, polypropylene is also widely used in labware and pharmaceutical equipment such as beakers, test tubes and volumetric flasks, protecting against leaks or contamination.
  • Drug Delivery Systems: As a thermoplastic, polypropylene is also used in drug delivery systems such as inhalers, nebulizers and transdermal patches, as it can be moulded into precise shapes but offers durability once set.
  • Pharmaceutical Packaging: Polypropylene is commonly used in pharmaceutical packaging due to its high chemical and moisture resistance, from vials, containers and closures to polypropylene bottles.

Polypropylene Tape

Polypropylene can also be manufactured into specialised tape to seal and protect products within the pharmaceutical industry. Below are several reasons why polypropylene tape is the preferred choice for pharmaceutical packing tape:

  • Cost-Effective: Polypropylene tape is cost-effective, meaning large quantities can be produced and purchased in bulk.
  • Versatility: Polypropylene tape is highly versatile and can be used with a large array of packaging materials, including cardboard, paper and plastic.
  • Easy Application: Polypropylene tape can be bought in different widths and lengths, making it both highly versatile and easy to handle.
  • High Tensile Strength: Polypropylene has a high tensile strength, allowing it to withstand most gradual pulling or pushing forces without breaking.
  • Moisture Resistant: Polypropylene tape is useful for packaging pharmaceutical products that may be affected by dampness. It can be used to seal box openings and protect contents from moisture.
  • Lightweight: Polypropylene packing tape has a low density, making it lightweight and easy to handle. This also helps minimize the overall weight of packaged goods, reducing shipping costs.

Can Polypropylene Be Recycled?

Polypropylene is easy to recycle and one of the most widely recycled plastics – making it a desirable material for eco-conscious brands. It can be recycled at home and through collection points and, once separated, is shredded into individual plastic pellets that are melted down and re-processed to create new plastic products.

Is it Environmentally Safe?

When properly recycled, polypropylene has a low environmental impact and is considered environmentally safe. However, burning polypropylene can release harmful toxic gases into the air that could affect the planet’s ozone layer.

Is Polypropylene Biodegradable?

Under typical environmental conditions, polypropylene is not biodegradable and must be sent to a recycling centre to be properly recycled, to reduce landfill or environmental pollution from plastic incineration.

Plus, when left for decades to break down, it can leave traces of plastic in the soil, which may adversely affect local crop yield and soil fertility. This is why recycling is the preferred method for polypropylene

Polypropylene Safety Concerns

Polypropylene is generally considered a safe material for everyday use, but there are still situations in which the material may not be best suited. Some key considerations around the use of polypropylene include:

  • Chemical Sensitivity: Some individuals may be allergic to the chemicals used in the polypropylene production process. In some rare cases, contact with polypropylene can cause skin irritation. For those with a known sensitivity to polypropylene, it’s important to avoid long-term exposure to the material.
  • Thermal Stability: Polypropylene offers impressive thermal stability and can withstand most everyday temperatures. However, compared with other similar materials, it has a relatively low melting point, making it less suited to extreme heat environments.
  • Combustibility: Polypropylene is a combustible material, meaning it burns when exposed to extreme heat sources such as open flames. The combustibility of polypropylene also presents a potential fire hazard when not properly stored.
  • UV Degradation: Polypropylene is also susceptible to UV degradation when exposed to direct sunlight. This can cause the plastic to become discoloured and brittle and develop cracks which may compromise the integrity of its contents when used in packaging.

Origin, the Plastic Packaging Experts

Origin has over 60 years of experience in the pharmaceutical packaging industry, developing bespoke solutions that help healthcare professionals safely and intuitively deliver a range of medicines.

Our expert team of designers and manufacturers are constantly developing plastic packaging solutions to meet the demands of our clients – including a range of polypropylene bottles.

Browse our products or chat with our expert team to find out how we can help today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Polypropylene a Safe Plastic?

Polypropylene is generally considered a safe plastic due to its thermal resistance and impressive tensile strength. However, some people may have heightened sensitivity to polypropylene, and this is why many polypropylene packages include label warnings of the risks to those with a heightened sensitivity.

Is Polypropylene the Same As PET?

No, polypropylene (pp) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are two different types of plastic. Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer with strong chemical and thermal resistance and is used within the pharmaceuticals industry. PET is also used in pharmaceuticals, but is known for its excellent barrier properties, durability and transparency. This makes PET useful for storing UV-vulnerable medicines.

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