O Glossary Index Olefins such as ethylene and propylene, are hydrocarbons with a carbon-carbon double bond. They are polymerised into polyolefins, such as polyethylene and polypropylene. Organochlorines are organic compounds containing chlorine. P Glossary Index Parkesine was an early form of plastic made from wood or cotton and camphor, invented in the middle of the 19th century by Alexander Parkes. It is used to make products such as soft drink bottles, film packaging and fabrics.
Photodegradable plastics decompose in sunlight.
Plastic is, in general, a material whose shape can be changed by processing, and retains the shape after processing. Plasticisers are organic chemicals added to plastics resins to make them pliable. Plastisol is a vinyl paste that can be moulded into products such as dolls and shoe soles, and used to coat fabric, paper and metal. Polyester is a form of PET plastic commonly seen as a fibre, and mainly used for fabrics. Polymer is a compound in which monomers have combined with each other in chains to form a new compound of very large molecules.