When we talk about plastic, we often think of it as a modern, almost everyday material that has always been there. However, its history is far more interesting. Plastic, as we know it today, is the result of decades of research, very specific industrial needs, and the search for materials capable of replacing natural resources that were expensive, limited, or impractical.
In addition, not all plastics have the same origin. Some come from fossil-based raw materials, such as oil or natural gas, while others can be derived from renewable resources. Understanding this evolution helps us better understand what plastic really is and why there are such different types of materials.
The first steps: before modern plastic
The idea of a “mouldable” material has existed for a long time. Before the appearance of modern plastics, natural materials with similar properties were already being used, such as resin, natural rubber or shellac. However, these materials had limitations: limited availability, high cost or insufficient performance for certain industrial applications.
During the 19th century, in the middle of the industrialisation process, a clear need began to emerge: to find materials that could be produced in larger quantities, easily moulded and adapted to new uses. It was in this context that the first major advances appeared.
One of the best-known early examples was Parkesine, developed by Alexander Parkes in 1856 in the United Kingdom. It is considered one of the first steps towards modern plastic. Shortly afterwards, in 1869, John Wesley Hyatt developed celluloid, a material that became important as one of the first plastics with practical and commercial use. Among other things, it was intended to replace expensive natural materials such as ivory.
The birth of modern synthetic plastic
The major turning point came in 1907, when Leo Hendrik Baekeland developed Bakelite, considered the first fully synthetic plastic. Unlike earlier materials, Bakelite did not rely on an already existing natural polymer, but was instead the result of a chemical synthesis specifically designed to create a new material.
Bakelite appeared at a very specific moment: the age of electrification and the growth of modern industry. There was a need for materials that were insulating, heat-resistant, durable and suitable for mass production. That is why it became so successful in applications such as telephones, radios, switches and electrical components.
From that point onwards, the plastics industry advanced rapidly. During the 20th century, especially between the 1930s and the 1950s, many of the polymers that are still essential today were developed.
From the origin of plastic to the most widely used materials today
Although we often speak about “plastic” in the singular, there are actually many different families of plastics. Each one has its own origin, history and specific properties.
PE: polyethylene
Polyethylene (PE) is one of the most widely used plastics in the world. Its basic raw material is ethylene, which is normally obtained from oil or natural gas. Therefore, its most common origin is fossil-based.
Its industrial development dates back to 1933, when it was accidentally discovered in ICI laboratories in the United Kingdom. From then on, it became a key material due to its low cost, versatility and ease of processing.
Today, PE is used in a huge number of applications: packaging, bags, bottles, coatings, tubes and technical parts. Within this family, there are different variants, such as LDPE and HDPE, depending on the density and the properties required.
PP: polypropylene
Polypropylene (PP) also has a mainly fossil-based origin. It is obtained from propylene, another raw material usually derived from oil refining and natural gas processing.
Its major development came in the 1950s, especially thanks to the work of Giulio Natta, who made it possible to obtain a structure suitable for industrial use. This was key in turning it into one of the most important materials in modern industry.
PP stands out for being lightweight, resistant and highly versatile. For this reason, it is used in a wide range of sectors, such as packaging, automotive, textiles, technical components, caps, rigid containers, and extruded or injected parts.
PLA: an alternative with renewable origin
The case of PLA (polylactic acid) is different. Unlike PE or PP, its origin can be renewable, since it is made from lactic acid obtained through the fermentation of sugars from plant-based sources such as corn or sugar cane.
This does not automatically mean it is the perfect solution for every application, but it does represent a different path in the development of plastic materials. Interest in PLA has grown especially in recent years due to the search for bio-based materials and, in some cases, industrial compostability options.
Today, it is used in applications such as packaging, 3D printing, and certain technical or biomedical products, always taking into account its limitations and the real requirements of the final use.
TPV: when the goal is to combine properties
TPV is not a simple material like PP or PE, but rather a combination of plastic and rubber that offers more advanced technical properties.
Its origin responds to a very specific industrial need: to obtain a material that behaves partly like rubber, but can be processed like a thermoplastic. This combination makes it very useful in applications where flexibility, elastic recovery and efficient industrial processing are required.
That is why TPV is frequently used in automotive applications, seals, gaskets, bellows and flexible technical components.
So, where does plastic really come from?
The short answer is that there is no single origin. Historically, plastic emerged as an industrial solution to replace natural materials and respond to new needs related to manufacturing, insulation, cost and productivity. Over time, this evolution gave rise to different families of materials.
Today, in general terms, we can summarise it as follows:
PE and PP: usually have a fossil-based origin, coming from oil or natural gas.
PLA: can have a renewable origin, based on fermented plant resources.
TPV: results from the formulation and combination of materials to obtain specific properties.
Therefore, when we talk about the origin of plastic, we are not only talking about history, but also about raw materials, technology and end application.
Beyond origin: the importance of formulation and process
The origin of the material is important, but it is not everything. To obtain a functional plastic product, other factors also come into play, such as formulation, additives, colour, stability and the processing method.
In extrusion, for example, the final result does not depend only on whether the material is PP, PE, PLA or TPV. The section design, tolerances, process control and application requirements also play an important role. That is why two products made from the same family of materials can behave very differently.