Rotational Plastic Molding is Here to Stay — And That’s a Great Thing
Rotational plastic molding, or rotomolding as it’s often called colloquially, is a manufacturing process that involves melting plastic resin with heat to fuse together in a closed mold. This is different from other types of plastic molding, which usually rely on pressure. Rotational plastic molding manufacturers, like Fibertech, utilize an extremely specialized and unique four stage process.
While early forms of this type of manufacturing process have technically been around since the 1940s, it wasn’t until the last 20 or so years that it became an especially efficient means of production. Today, it is used to make products of all shapes and sizes like plastic pallets, rolling laundry carts, and various other custom plastic parts.
There are many reasons why rotational molding has grown so rapidly over a relatively short span of time — not the least of which are the results of advances in technology — but it looks to remain near the top of the plastic production industry for years to come. Here are a couple reasons why.
Quality and Durability: One of the reasons plastics, in general, have become so popular recently is due to the fact that they can carry, transport, and be used for a variety of conditions with ease. The durability of plastic molding is exceptional. In fact, Fibertech is so confident in our process that we offer an industry-leading four-year warranty on almost all products.
Cost-Effective: Equally as important as the quality and durability of the product is the actual price you pay for it. Another reason plastic has become very popular in recent years is because it is much less expensive than other materials like glass, metal, and wood. This fact doesn’t show signs of changing. With the advances in modern technology, it might even get cheaper sooner rather than later.
Made in the U.S.A.: We can only speak for ourselves with this one, but Fibertech is proud that our plastic molding manufacturing plants are located in the United States. Building a relationship with our community is right up there with building relationships with our customers.
Sustainability: Plastic is more sustainable than people think. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency actually identifies the ‘reuse’ of packaging as the ‘next highest priority in managing waste,’ according to the American Chemistry Council’s site, PlasticPackagingFacts.org. The vast majority of Americans (90%) report reusing plastic bags, but they’re not the only ones who can make use of discarded plastic. The material’s durability allows manufacturers to reuse it. We can take old plastic and use it to make bulk containers, combo bins, pallets, and more. Fibertech LLDPE plastic is valuable and should be recycled where possible. By doing more with less, we can reduce the nation’s environmental impact, thus preserving our nation’s resources for the future.
The timeline for the creation of material through plastic molding can vary depending on the size, complexity, and other customization options, but typically, it will take between eight to 18 weeks to complete a new custom piece. As technology continues to improve, this unique form of plastic manufacturing should only continue to grow with it.
