Engineering plastics: ABS, PC, nylon (PA) and blends
Production scrap from engineering resins can be valuable when the exact resin and additives are known. Mixed or unidentified material is hard to sell.
What it is
Regrind, purgings and rejected parts in ABS, polycarbonate, PC/ABS blends, nylon 6 and 6/6 (often glass-filled) and similar resins.
Typical sources
- Automotive interior and electrical component moulders
- Electronics and appliance housing makers
- Connector and fastener moulders
What buyers need to quote
- Resin and grade, ideally with the original data sheet
- Fillers and their percentage, such as glass fibre
- Flame-retardant or not
- Colour
- Painted, plated or labelled parts
- For nylon: exposure to moisture
- Tonnes per month
Photo tips
- Close-ups of parts and regrind
- Resin bag labels or data sheets
- Any painted or chrome-plated surfaces
What raises its value
- One resin and grade per lot
- Data sheets available
- Unpainted, unplated parts
- Dry storage
Common reasons for rejection or downgrade
- Mixed resins
- Flame-retardant and non-flame-retardant material mixed
- Painted or plated parts
- Metal inserts
Specifications vary by buyer. The final grade is agreed between you and the buyer against the buyer's specification or recognised industry specifications such as ReMA (formerly ISRI).