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| Fencing |
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| Previous Material: |
Wood, Metal |
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| Current Material: |
PVC |
| Benefits: |
Weatherability, Durability |
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| Weatherability and durability are clearly the leading factors in the high acceptance Spartech has realized with its PVC fencing materials. In addition, quick assembly and the ease of installation or repair, which translate into reduced labor costs, are added benefits of the transformation of many fencing projects from wood or metal to thermoplastics. |
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| Foundation Water Drain System |
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| Previous Material: |
Gravel, Stone |
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| Current Material: |
HDPE |
| Benefits: |
Improved Water Flow, Durability |
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| PolyDrain is a waterproofing product from Pro-Tec Industries. PolyDrain increases waterflow into a standard draintile system. It allows faster water flow due to less resistance. |
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| Home Shutters |
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| Previous Material: |
Wood |
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| Current Material: |
Korad/HIPS, PP |
| Benefits: |
Weatherability, Weight, Cost, Durability |
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| Traditionally made of wood, today's new generation of thermoplastic shutters are having an important impact on the housing industry. The ability to thermoform the shutters using colored plastics eliminates the need for painting, and the durability and weatherability of the plastic materials enhances the life of the product. Further, the thermoplastic shutters are lighter weight and easier to install than their traditional wood counterparts. |
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| Marine Dock Floatation |
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| Previous Material: |
Wood, Styrofoam |
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| Current Material: |
PE |
| Benefits: |
Environmental, Durability |
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| Environmental attributes, along with the durability of plastic materials, are the leading factors in the transformation from wood and/or styrofoam to plastics in this unique application. By encapsulating the foam material inside the plastic casing, the traditional breakdown of flotation docks is being eliminated. Product durability further translates into cost savings, as the need for replacement parts is reduced. |
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| Wheel Barrows |
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| Previous Material: |
Metal |
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| Current Material: |
PE |
| Benefits: |
Durability, Weight, Cost |
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| The conventional wheel barrow tub, traditionally made from metal, is now getting a new look and a lighter feel using thermoplastics. In addition to the weight reduction and cost savings, added durability of the new product is a significant feature of the plastic wheel barrow. |
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| Paint Roller Cores & Trays |
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| Previous Material: |
Cardboard, Paper, Metal |
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| Current Material: |
Polypropylene, HIPS |
| Benefits: |
Durability |
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| Traditionally manufactured from paper or cardboard, paint roller cores are now being largely manufactured using thermoplastics. This transformation is offering greater durability over the traditional materials used in the product, as well as recyclability, which translates into cost savings for the end user. |
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| Security Windows |
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| Previous Material: |
Glass |
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| Current Material: |
Acryshield L3 |
| Benefits: |
Safety, Aesthetics, Weight, Fabrication |
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| Many protective windows, traditionally made from glass, have recently been transformed into Spartech's Acryshield L3 Alloy Plastics material. With ballistic protection capabilities exceeding the criteria set forth in U.L. level 3 requirements, the transformation to Acryshield L3 allows for enhanced safety in a number of applications. In addition, the aesthetically pleasing attributes and clarity of the material lend themselves well for bank tellers, convenience store protective windows, and law enforcement & taxi cab vehicle front/back seat window dividers. |
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| Under Deck Patio Panels |
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| Previous Material: |
Aluminum |
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| Current Material: |
PVC |
| Benefits: |
Self-Installation, Space Utilization |
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| Traditionally made from aluminum, the new PVC panels that are now being used beneath decks are making the installation process much easier for the end-user, thus reducing the costs associated with the product. Further, the weatherability and durability of the thermoplastics material make it an excellent alternative to the traditional material. |
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| Storm Doors |
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| Previous Material: |
Aluminum |
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| Current Material: |
WeatherPro, PVC |
| Benefits: |
Durability, Cost, Weight |
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| Colors, traditionally not available in outdoor storm door applications due to weatherability issues, are now being made possible through the use of thermoplastics. As a replacement to aluminum, Spartech's WeatherPro and PVC are allowing for this flexibility, while also offering the advantages of lighter weight, reduced costs, and enhanced durability over the traditional material. |
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| Generator Wheels |
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| Previous Material: |
Steel Rim, Rubber Tire |
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| Current Material: |
PVC Tire, HDPE Hub |
| Benefits: |
Durability, Aesthetics, Cost |
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| Many of the generators being found in stores today are utilizing a new style of wheel comprised of a PVC tire and HDPE hub. This transition, from a combination steel rim and rubber tire, offers the user many benefits including a no-flat design, improved aesthetics, enhanced rollability, and reduced cost, along with being rust-proof. |
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| Building Siding Panels |
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| Previous Material: |
Aluminum, Wood |
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| Current Material: |
PVC |
| Benefits: |
Durability, Cost |
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| For use in the building and construction market, siding panels, which have been traditionally made of wood or aluminum, are now commonly being fabricated from PVC. Increased durability, along with the related cost savings, are the primary drivers that have influenced the transformation of this now widely-utilized building material. |
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| Restroom Partitions |
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| Previous Material: |
Metal |
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| Current Material: |
HDPE |
| Benefits: |
Durability, Cost |
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| Restroom Partitions, formerly made almost exclusively from metal, are now largely being constructed of high density polyethylene (HDPE), allowing the product to be lighter in weight and far more durable than its predecessor. With the lower weight and reduced level of maintenance, both installation and maintenance follow-up is made easier, thereby holding down the overall cost of the product as well. |
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| Bender Boards |
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| Previous Material: |
Wood |
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| Current Material: |
FoamAlloy FPO |
| Benefits: |
Durability, Cost, Re-usability |
| Transformation Date: |
2002 |
| To help allow for increased use, which will in turn generate significant cost savings, the building & construction industry has begun using FoamAlloy FPO Bender Boards as an alternative to the traditional wood counterpart. In addition, another advantage is consistency with the material, and thus, improved performance. |
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| Sound Abatement |
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| Previous Material: |
Styrofoam, Insulation |
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| Current Material: |
SoundX |
| Benefits: |
Cost, Durability |
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| Very useful for the building & construction industry, thermoplastic sound abatement materials, such as Spartech's SoundX, are now being used to replace more traditional, and often less effective, materials such as styrofoam or insulation for noise control. The lower costs associated with the new materials, including lower labor installation costs, is a major incentive for this transition. |
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| Construction Equipment |
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| Previous Material: |
Metal |
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| Current Material: |
Korad/ABS, ABS, PP |
| Benefits: |
Durability, Cost, Weight |
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| As a superior alternative to the traditional metals used for a variety of types of construction equipment housings and covers, including "cherry pickers," Korad/ABS, ABS, or PP is now being widely accepted in the building & construction industry. Its increased durability and lighter weight are two leading factors that have influenced this transformation, while lower costs have also played a role. |
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| Residential Window Sills |
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| Previous Material: |
Wood |
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| Current Material: |
HDPE |
| Benefits: |
Durability, Aesthetics, Cost |
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| High density polyethylene (HDPE) is continuing to replace wood in many of today's residential window sills. The chief driver behind this transformation is the increased durability the HDPE material is offering to consumers. Improved aesthetics and lower costs are also key to the move from wood to HDPE for this application. |
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| Commercial Roofs |
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| Previous Material: |
Tar Paper & Gravel, Asphalt |
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| Current Material: |
UV-Pro SPR |
| Benefits: |
Durability, Cost, Aesthetics, Non-Halogen, Fire Rated |
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| Both improved durability, as well as considerable cost savings, were the primary drivers that led retail industry leader Wal-Mart to select UV-Pro SPR over traditional alternatives for their new roofing material. Because UVPro SPR is available in white, it keeps stores cooler, thus lowering energy costs. Further, with the ease of installation and the improved overall look of the roofs, this transformation has further accelerated. |
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| Rapid Deployment Flood Walls |
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| Previous Material: |
Fabric |
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| Current Material: |
Enviro-TECT MPS |
| Benefits: |
Durability, Cost, Aesthetics, Safety |
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| As an ideal alternative to the traditional sandbag flood wall, today's new Rapid Deployment Flood Wall (RDFW), made of Enviro-TECT MPS material, has translated into significant cost savings for many who are threatened annually with floods. The RDFW, a unique sand confinement plastic grid system, allows assembly in a fraction of the time, and with far less labor than traditional sandbag flood walls, plus it is much stronger and more aesthetically pleasing. This technology is also being evaluated for safety barriers and environmental erosion applications. |
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| Garage Door Panels |
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| Previous Material: |
Fiberglass |
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| Current Material: |
PVC |
| Benefits: |
Durability, Weight, Cost |
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| Previously made almost exclusively of fiberglass, many of today's garage door panels are now being constructed largely from PVC, which is allowing them to be much lighter weight. Further, the PVC offers added durability, as well as the benefits of lower cost. |
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| Paint System Containers |
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| Previous Material: |
Metal, Glass |
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| Current Material: |
LDPE |
| Benefits: |
Weight, Cost, Formability |
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| Used in both the home improvement and building & construction industries, many of today's paint system containers, previously made of metal or glass, are now being created from LDPE. With this transformation, customers are realizing a lighter weight product that is disposable, eliminating clean up time and making it easier to use. They are also enjoying the transparency of the new material. Further, the production costs can be lowered, and the new LDPE material is more durable and formable than its traditional counterparts. |
