Friendly people quick loading and overnight parking if your in a pinch at the dock I’d suggest call ahead
Lance W.
Understanding Plastic Extrusion Materials
Thermoplastics each bring unique characteristics to plastic extrusions, such as strength, flexibility, clarity, chemical resistance, and more. Knowing how these properties affect your finished part helps ensure durability and reliable performance. Whether you need a cost-effective commodity grade or a high-performance engineering grade, understanding the strengths of each material is the first step toward a successful extrusion project.
Choosing the Right Plastic Extrusion Material for Your Project
Plastic extrusion materials—or thermoplastics—are used in a wide variety of applications, each having their own unique properties. Selecting the best plastic extrusion materials for your project is one of the most important aspects in ensuring your part is manufactured successfully, performs properly, and is delivered to you at the lowest possible cost.
Not sure which thermoplastic is right for your application? Lakeland Plastics’ experienced sales engineers can guide you through the selection process. We maintain a large inventory of commodity-grade and engineering-grade materials, and our strong partnerships with leading resin suppliers allow us to source specialized materials quickly and cost-effectively. Below is a list of the plastic extrusion materials we currently extrude.
Commodity Grade Plastic Extrusion Materials
Acrylic (PMMA)
Rigid, transparent thermoplastic with excellent clarity, UV stability, and weather resistance.
ABS
Tough, impact-resistant thermoplastic that combines rigidity with dimensional stability.
G.P. Polystyrene (GPPS)
Clear, rigid plastic with good dimensional stability and ease of fabrication.
High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)
Semi-rigid thermoplastic with enhanced toughness and impact resistance.
PVC Rigid and Flexible (clear and pigmented)
Versatile polymer that can be formulated for rigidity or flexibility with strong chemical and weather resistance.
Polypropylene (PP)
Lightweight, semi-rigid thermoplastic with excellent chemical resistance and fatigue resistance.
Polyethylene (LDPE and HDPE)
Flexible, tough thermoplastic with low moisture absorption and strong chemical resistance.
PETG
Transparent, tough thermoplastic with good chemical resistance and dimensional stability.
SAN
Stiff thermoplastic with transparency, heat resistance, and moderate impact strength.
Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs)
Soft, flexible polymers with rubber-like elasticity and thermoplastic processing.
Thermoplastic Olefins (TPOs)
Durable, weather-resistant thermoplastics with strong impact performance and dimensional stability.
Engineering Grade Plastic Extrusion Materials
Geloy® (ASA)
UV-resistant and weather-resistant thermoplastic with excellent dimensional stability and toughness.
Noryl® (PPO)
High-temperature, chemically resistant thermoplastic with rigidity and dimensional stability.
Polycarbonate (PC)
Tough, transparent thermoplastic with high impact resistance and heat tolerance.
Polysulfone (PSU)
High-performance thermoplastic with excellent thermal and chemical resistance.
Polyurethane (PUR)
Resilient thermoplastic with flexibility, toughness, and abrasion resistance.
PC/ABS Alloy
Blended thermoplastic combining toughness, heat resistance, and dimensional stability.
Nylon
Strong, wear-resistant thermoplastic with chemical and thermal stability.
Plastic Extrusion Materials for Every Industry & Application
Why Partner with Lakeland Plastics?
- Extensive Material Expertise: Our team understands the unique properties of all thermoplastics, helping you choose the ideal plastic extrusion materials for your specific project and application.
- Custom Engineering Support: From concept through production, we work closely with you to design and manufacture extrusions that meet exact specifications and perform reliably in their intended application.
- Strong Supplier Partnerships: Our long-standing relationships with leading resin suppliers ensure quick access to a wide range of materials and competitive pricing for even the most specialized projects.
- Reliable, Scalable Production: With advanced extrusion equipment and flexible production runs, we deliver consistently high-quality parts on time and within budget—whether you need a short prototype run or large-scale production.
- Quick Turnaround: Based in the Midwest, we offer faster lead times and cost-effective shipping to customers across the country, keeping your projects on schedule and within budget.
What Customers Are Saying About Our Plastic Extrusion Material Expertise
Just delivered. The guy that unloaded me was awesome. In and out in 15 minutes. Give that man a raise!
Dave P.
I met with Lakeland Plastics this week. They were very professional to meet with. They were generous with their time and were helpful educating me on the plastics industry. While we weren’t a fit for each other in this instance , I can tell that anyone looking for extrusions would be in great hands. I appreciate the referrals and care they provided me.
Justin B.
Great company to work with, they hold a high standard of quality in the work they do with great communications!
Lee M.
We initially faced challenges with a product that required one side to be white and the other black. The previous process involved painting one side, which was time-consuming and resulted in inconsistent quality. However, discovering Lakeland Plastics was a game-changer for us. Their ability to extrude with one side white and the other black not only eliminated the need for painting but also improved our product quality tenfold.
The team at Lakeland Plastics has been outstanding. Mary at the front desk is a true jack-of-all-trades, always providing the answers we need quickly and efficiently. Mike, the owner, and our salesperson, Phil, along with the entire shipping department, have been incredibly helpful and accommodating throughout our partnership.
We highly recommend Lakeland Plastics for their innovative solutions and exceptional customer service.
Robert I.
We have a 40+ year business relationship with Lakeland Plastics. They are a key business partner offering excellent products, communication, and service.
Tom H.
Lakeland Plastics have really exceeded our expectations. Quality work and precise production have helped my buisiness keep moving forward. I highly recommend this company to anyone for any quality product/profile they may need.
Skyler D.
Preferential treatment is the standard for all customers at Lakeland, allowing a level playing field for everyone involved. They have worked with us for over 10 years, helping to develop a patented product and providing outstanding customer service throughout. It has been an absolute delight working with honest and caring individuals who not only work toward getting things right the first time, but they work tirelessly at making sure goals are met. We consider Lakeland part of the family, and we highly recommend their attention to detail, top level customer service and exemplary design team.
Heather O’
Lakeland has been arguably one of the best manufacturers I have ever worked with. I came to them with a unique extrusion use case and they were able to help with my design. They managed the project with zero friction, or high added costs. The part quality is quite honestly flawless, meeting my specific use case need. The accessibility to the team is always easy and prompt. I didn’t wait days, or weeks for quotes and was able to get my product produced and to the market in a much shorter time frame than several other mfg’s I contacted quoted. Now my product is sold in over 40 states and two countries and proudly produced in the USA. I know this is a long post and I don’t usually do reviews. However, while I maybe a small fish compared to some of their production levels/ capabilities…..my involvement with Lakeland has felt more like family than being just a number on the balance sheet. They will have my business as long as my industry need exists. Hopefully a very long time. So grateful I found this needle in a hay stack. Especially if it is an extruded product you need….highly recommend giving them a shot.
Jakob R.
“We’ve had a long-standing partnership with Lakeland Plastics to support building our OTTOLOCK cinch lock bands. Our specifications are not simple and the Lakeland team has consistently demonstrated they are up for the job with a great approach to making the outcome better. We wouldn’t be here without Lakeland and appreciate their mindset in business and customer relationships.”
Jake V.President - OTTO Design Works, LLC
“Lakeland Plastics is a trusted partner for over 25 years…The reason I like to work with their team is because of the personal attention that they invest into their customers…I know that the job will get done on time and on budget.”
E.B.
“Lakeland Plastics has been a valued partner of our company for 40+ years…They are and have consistently been one of our top tier partners – valued relationship which I would highly recommend pursuing.”
G.D.Owner
Plastic Extrusion Material Resources
Plastic Extrusion vs. Injection Molding: What’s the Difference?
Choosing how to manufacture a plastic part is a strategic decision that influences budget, lead time, quality, and long term performance. For many programs, the choice comes down to two proven methods: plastic extrusion and injection molding. Both can deliver outstanding results, yet they excel at different types of parts and business cases. Plastic…
Plastic Extrusion Applications Across Industries
Plastic extrusion has become one of the most widely used manufacturing processes in the modern world, shaping countless products that businesses and consumers rely on every day. By heating raw plastic materials and forcing them through precision dies, manufacturers can create continuous profiles with exacting shapes and dimensions. The process is incredibly adaptable and allows…
The History of Plastic Extrusion: Past, Present, & Future
Plastic extrusion has become one of the most important manufacturing processes of the modern world. From the pipes beneath our feet to the packaging that preserves our food, extrusion touches nearly every aspect of daily life. But this process didn’t emerge overnight. It’s the result of nearly two centuries of innovation, experimentation, and refinement. Exploring…
