How do commodity resins differ from specialty resins?

Industrial fabricators categorize plastics as either commodity or specialty resins based on their production volume, cost, and application.

• Commodity resins are produced in high volumes at a low cost. They are primarily used for common disposable items and durable goods. Examples include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene.1
• Specialty resins are produced in lower volumes at a higher cost, with properties specifically tailored for particular applications. This group includes engineering plastics—such as polycarbonate, nylon, epoxy, and polytetrafluoroethylene—which are designed to compete with die-cast metals in demanding fields like automotive, hardware, and plumbing applications. Specialty resins also encompass thermoplastic elastomers, which combine the elastic properties of rubber with the ability to be repeatedly molded through heating.1