Chicago's Plastic Manufacturing: An Insider's Guide

what is manufacturing plastics in chicago

Chicago is home to a variety of plastic manufacturing companies, including family-owned businesses and large-scale corporations. These companies specialize in plastic fabrication, injection molding, and custom acrylic sign creation. For example, Chicago Plastic Systems, Inc. offers plastic fabrication services, while Drummond Industries, Inc. and AdvanTech Plastics focus on plastic injection molding. Additionally, Petersen Brothers Plastics creates custom acrylic signs and displays. With a range of capabilities and specializations, these companies cater to diverse industries, from automotive and aerospace to medical devices and consumer goods, showcasing the versatility of plastic manufacturing in Chicago.

Characteristics Values
Companies Curbell Plastics, Chicago Plastic Systems, Petersen Brothers Plastics, AdvanTech Plastics, A Z Plastics, Inc., Rensel-Chicago, Inc., Armbrust Paper Tubes, Inc., GUNTHER HOT RUNNER SYSTEMS, INC., Platt Luggage, Inc., Nu-Dell Manufacturing Company, Inc., Pro-pak Industries, Inc., Wind Point Partners, L.P., Charter Next Generation, Inc., The AZEK Company Inc., Midwest Canvas Corp., Blachford Investments, Inc., Flex-O-Glass, Inc., Antek Madison Plastics USA Ltd., Mercury Plastics, Inc., H.M.T. MANUFACTURING, INC., M. Putterman & Co. LLC, Petra Manufacturing Co., Home Products International - North America, Inc., PEMCO, INC.
Products Plastic sheets, rods, tubes, films, fabricated parts, machined plastic parts, signs and displays, plastic injection molding, industrial equipment plastic components, thermoplastic fabrication solutions, tanks, piping
Services CNC routing, milling, vacuum forming, die cutting, laser cutting, engraving, printing, injection molding
Industries Transportation, distribution, manufacturing, food processing, machinery, equipment, printing, publishing, automotive, aerospace, medical devices, consumer goods
Other Eco-friendly practices, sustainability

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Plastic injection molding

Plastic injection moulding is a popular and highly efficient manufacturing process that has been used since the 1940s. The process involves melting plastic pellets and injecting them into a pre-designed mould under high pressure and heat. The molten plastic fills the hollow mould and then cools rapidly, setting into the desired shape. This method is often used for mass-producing plastic parts as it is cost-efficient, reliable, and can produce uniform, high-quality results with minimal labour costs and scrap loss.

Injection moulding is versatile, allowing manufacturers to produce most shapes, including complex designs, with minimal need for finishing. The process is used across various industrial sectors, including automotive, where it is valued for its ability to create precise, high-quality parts. Injection moulding is also commonly used for producing tiny fundamental parts for smartphones, such as buttons and cases, as well as medical devices like syringes and surgical instruments, which require precision and sterility.

The process is further applied in the creation of household items such as containers, shampoo bottles, cosmetic packaging, soap dispensers, and plastic kitchenware. In the garden tools sector, plastic injection moulding is employed to make items like rakes, watering cans, and plant pots more durable. One of the earliest applications of this process was in the production of plastic toys for children, which gained popularity after World War II with the emergence of plastic dolls and, later, Barbie dolls and Lego.

Curbell Plastics, a supplier in Chicago, provides plastic sheets, rods, tubes, films, and fabricated parts to various industries. They also offer specialty products like assembly and prototyping materials, modelling boards, structural adhesives, and tapes. Another company, Chicago Plastic Systems, specialises in industrial plastic fabrication, offering solutions to various manufacturing challenges.

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Plastic fabrication

One common plastic fabrication technique is injection moulding, which involves melting plastics and elastomers and injecting them into a mould. The mould is carefully designed to ensure the molten plastic takes the desired shape. Once the mould is filled, the plastic is allowed to cool and solidify before being ejected from the mould. This process is used by companies such as Chicago Plastic Systems to create custom plastic parts for their clients.

Another method of plastic fabrication is rotational moulding, or rotomolding. In this process, a mould is heated until the plastic powder inside melts and adheres to its walls. The mould is rotated along two perpendicular axes to ensure a uniform coating of plastic. Once the coating is complete, the mould is slowly cooled to prevent the plastic from sagging or collapsing. Finally, the moulded part is separated from the mould, and any excess material is trimmed away.

The choice of plastic material is also an important aspect of plastic fabrication. There are two main types of plastic: thermoplastics and thermosets. The optimal material depends on various factors, including cost, functionality, and aesthetic requirements. For example, some plastics are designed to be antimicrobial, X-ray detectable, or FDA-compliant for specific applications.

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Plastic suppliers

Chicago is a hub for major industries, including manufacturing. The city is home to several plastic suppliers, each offering a range of products and services.

Curbell Plastics

Curbell Plastics is a plastic supplier located in Pleasant Prairie, halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee. They supply plastic sheets, rods, tubes, films, and fabricated parts to Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. Curbell Plastics caters to various industries, including national transportation, distribution, manufacturing, food processing, machinery, and equipment. They offer online ordering without a minimum order requirement and provide cutting services for custom sizes.

Chicago Plastic Systems

Chicago Plastic Systems specializes in industrial plastic fabrication. While they do not explicitly mention the specific plastic products they offer, they emphasize their commitment to customer service and invite potential clients to request a quote.

Laird Plastics

Laird Plastics has been a leader in plastic distribution for over 70 years. They offer a wide range of plastic products, including sheets, rods, films, rolls, and custom sizes. Their Chicago location is expanding its routing capabilities with the addition of a state-of-the-art router to enhance precision and efficiency in their services.

Piedmont Plastics

Piedmont Plastics is a wholesale distributor of plastic sheets, rods, tubes, and films. They have two locations in the Chicago area: Chicago South and North Chicago. Piedmont Plastics specializes in supplying plastic materials to various markets, including industrial, marine, and sign and graphic industries. They offer a customer-tailored recycling program to help clients minimize their environmental impact. Additionally, they have developed their exclusive specialty materials: Piedmont Marine Grade (PMG®) for marine applications and Piedmont Sign Grade (PSG®) for signage solutions.

Petersen Brothers Plastics

Petersen Brothers Plastics specializes in fabricating custom acrylic signs and displays. They utilize state-of-the-art laser cutters, CNC machines, and UV printers to create high-quality, professional signage that enhances brand visibility. Petersen Brothers Plastics supplies acrylic, polycarbonate, industrial thermoplastics, acrylic rods and tubes, and offers wholesale and retail distribution.

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Plastic product manufacturing companies

Chicago is a hub for major industries, including manufacturing, and is home to several plastics product manufacturing companies.

Chicago Plastic Systems

Chicago Plastic Systems specializes in industrial plastic fabrication and manufacturing solutions. The company provides innovative, high-quality thermoplastic fabrication solutions for a range of industries. Their services include the fabrication of industrial equipment plastic components, from tanks for process media collection to complex piping made from exotic polymers.

Curbell Plastics

Curbell Plastics is a supplier of plastic sheet, rod, tube, film, and fabricated parts, serving the Midwest region, including Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. They cater to industrial and commercial customers, offering a range of specialty products, such as antimicrobial and FDA-compliant materials. Curbell Plastics also provides sign POP display materials and plastic substrates for visual merchandising and digital printing.

AdvanTech Plastics

AdvanTech Plastics is a plastic injection molding company based in Chicago, Illinois. They manufacture high-precision, custom plastic parts for a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, medical devices, and consumer goods. AdvanTech Plastics emphasizes sustainability in their manufacturing processes, focusing on efficient resource utilization and waste reduction.

Petersen Brothers Plastics

Petersen Brothers Plastics specializes in fabricating custom acrylic signs and displays. They utilize state-of-the-art laser cutters, CNC machines, and UV printers to create customized signage that meets the specific needs of businesses in terms of durability and visual appeal.

Other notable plastic product manufacturing companies in Chicago include A Z Plastics, Inc., Armbrust Paper Tubes, Inc., Gunther Hot Runner Systems, Inc., and Pro-pak Industries, Inc.

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Plastic industrial equipment

Curbell Plastics, for example, supplies plastic sheets, rods, tubes, films, and fabricated parts to a range of industries, including industrial and commercial customers. They offer a range of specialty products, such as antimicrobial and FDA-compliant materials, as well as visual merchandising and digital printing solutions. Curbell Plastics is conveniently located between Chicago and Milwaukee, making it easily accessible to customers in the Midwest.

Chicago Plastic Systems specializes in industrial plastic fabrication, offering custom solutions to their clients. Although their website does not provide specific details about their products, they emphasize their commitment to customer service and invite potential clients to request a quote.

Productive Plastics has been in the industry since 1955 and is a leading custom plastic thermoforming component supplier. They manufacture thermoplastic component parts for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of heavy and industrial equipment. Their products include forklift control enclosures, display housings, and panel components. Productive Plastics boasts an unparalleled range of design options, offering not only aesthetic appeal but also rugged material performance and cost-effectiveness.

Petersen Brothers Plastics is another company specializing in fabricating custom acrylic signs and displays. They utilize state-of-the-art laser cutters, CNC machines, and UV printers to create high-quality, professional signage that enhances brand visibility. Their products are lightweight, easy to maintain, and crafted with precision techniques such as cutting, engraving, and printing.

Frequently asked questions

Some plastic manufacturing companies in Chicago are Curbell Plastics, Chicago Plastic Systems, AdvanTech Plastics, and Petersen Brothers Plastics.

Curbell Plastics manufactures plastic sheets, rods, tubes, films, and fabricated parts. They also supply specialty products for assembly and prototyping, modelling boards, structural adhesives, tapes and fabrics, and tubing.

Chicago Plastic Systems specializes in industrial plastic fabrication and manufacturing solutions. They can create anything from a single tank for process media collection to complex piping made from exotic polymers for the transport of hazardous chemicals.

AdvanTech Plastics is a plastic injection molding company that manufactures high-precision, high-volume plastic components. They serve a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, medical devices, and consumer goods.

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