Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) is a terpolymer composed of three different monomers: acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene. The material is an amorphous thermoplastic and offers a good balance of flow, impact, and thermal properties. Its excellent flow properties make it possible to manufacture thin-walled parts with short cycle times while meeting high product design requirements. ABS is available in a wide variety of colors, making it an attractive material for applications requiring color depth and a glossy surface. Furthermore, the material is ideally suited for metal plating (electroplating).
The automotive and electronics industries rely on ABS products, and household and consumer goods also dominate global demand. Examples of ABS applications include automotive and electronic parts, motorcycle helmets, toys, housings for electrical appliances and computers, edge banding in the furniture industry, and filaments for 3D printers.

Polypropylene (PP) ranks second among the most important plastics, accounting for 20% of total global plastic production. This semi-crystalline thermoplastic belongs to the polyolefin group and, depending on the manufacturing process and chemical structure, is available in different variants: PP homopolymer (PPH), PP copolymer (PPC), and PP random copolymer (PPR). Its properties are similar to those of polyethylene (PE), but it is harder and has a higher heat resistance. By adding various additives such as glass fibers, glass beads, or mineral fillers, the material can be adapted to meet the diverse requirements of various industries. It is odorless and tasteless, skin-friendly, and, due to its nonpolar nature, exhibits excellent chemical resistance. The material is found in all areas of daily life, particularly in the packaging industry and in the food and household sectors. Products made of polypropylene are also used in large quantities in the automotive industry for interior parts, as well as in the medical sector. Children’s toys, baby accessories, and banknotes made of polypropylene film round out the wide range of applications for this polyolefin.

Acrylic ester-styrene-acrylonitrile (ASA) is a terpolymer with properties similar to those of ABS. The use of a special rubber in the production of ASA gives the material long-lasting UV and weather resistance. As a result, its high impact strength as well as its color and gloss properties are maintained even when exposed to environmental conditions over long periods of time in outdoor applications. Thanks to its high-quality surface finish, costly painting is often unnecessary. ASA exhibits very good chemical resistance and is typically used for injection molding applications. The material is used in the construction industry, for electrical appliances such as coffee makers and microwaves, for sporting goods, and in automotive exterior components.