This story originally appeared on Best Stocks
Plexiglass stocks: a great investment in the last 2 years
Plexiglass – together with more traditional masks – have had a tremendous impact in preventing the spread of Coronavirus. When the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a Pandemic in March 2020 many companies required their employees to wear masks and place plastic shields at all workstations. As a result, customers and employees could interact freely, without fear of cough and sneezes.
Nowadays, you can find plexiglass dividers at supermarkets, dry cleaners, and restaurant pickup windows. They are also available at pharmacies and budget retailers. Dave Heylen, the Sacramento-based representative of the California Grocers Association (an industry association representing over 300 retail companies with more than 7,000 locations), says, “Grocers were amongst the first merchants who embraced the plexiglass barrier.” He claimed that nearly all grocers did this without any advice from the group.
COVID-19 is currently a success in the plexiglass market. The International Association of Plastics Distribution reported that sales of plexiglass and the trademarked Plexiglas soared by two to three folds over the $250 million mark between March and May 2019. As a result, plexiglass stocks have been among the best stock investments in 2020 and 2021. But are plexiglass the best stocks to buy now?
Are plexiglass stocks still on the raise in 2022?
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Plexiglass has been a top-wanted product in recent years due to the need for protection and social separation. In addition, hospitals urgently needed face shields as the coronavirus epidemic in the United States reached its thousandth case. As a result, Plaskolite became the largest manufacturer of thermoplastic sheets in the United States, also known as plexiglass. The company has overgrown in the $4 billion acrylic sheet industry, providing the necessary glass-like material for face shield manufacturing.
Plaskolite’s executive chairman Grindley thinks that demand for face shields is expected to level off by the end of this year. However, he also believes the market for acrylic barriers won’t slow down anytime soon. Grindley thinks that in addition to the increase in demand from restaurants and merchants and offices that are slowly rising, new use cases and potential purchasers are emerging as non-essential companies across the country reopen.
He adds, “I come in everyday and hear about new applications.” For example, Plaskolite currently produces transparent barriers between tables and restaurant booths, shatterproof walls to keep bus drivers and passengers separated, and “barrier stations” that employers use to measure employees’ temperatures at the beginning of their shifts. Grindley said he had received numerous requests for barriers between movie theater seats, airline seats, dentist offices, and bus drivers. Employers also use the devices to measure employees’ temperatures at the beginning of shifts.
However, according to some in the industry, the plexiglass boom is not sustainable. For example, Altuglas, a subsidiary of Arkema’s specialty chemicals supplier, says that the rising demand for the acrylic sheet is only helping offset other segment declines. It also states that it is operating at full capacity for these products but does not believe that the market is strong enough to justify increased investment in new lines.
Plaskolite’s CEO for many years is less concerned with demand. Grindley said that Plaskolite is working on a second-generation antimicrobial and scratch-resistant barrier. It’s something every frontline employees want and customers demand. People should become accustomed to it as it’s here long term.
Exactly, what is Plexiglass?
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Plexiglass was invented in 1928 by chemist Dr. Otto Rohm while he was developing new plastics from coal tar, but it was only introduced on the market under this trade name in 1933 by the company Rohm & Haas. The name Plexiglass comes from the words “plastic” and “acrylic,” which combined mean “acrylic plastic.”
This material is a type of plastic that can be found at home improvement stores. It’s used to make everything from shower doors and storm windows to picture frames and coffee tables. It’s lightweight, durable, flexible, and easy to work with. You can cut it, drill it, sand it, paint it, and use an adhesive to attach objects onto it! There are many ways you can use plexiglass in your home.
Plexiglass is a versatile material that has a range of applications. It is widely used in construction but can also be found in home appliances and furniture. Previously, the material was manufactured for industrial purposes only. Plus, plexiglass is an energy-efficient material that minimizes sound transmission so you can enjoy peace of mind at home or work without interruption.
Different ways of using plexiglass
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the need to isolate some environments, plexiglass was one of the most used alternatives. However, the material is already widely used in different environments and products. Therefore, investing in acrylic companies can be very profitable.
Because of the pandemic, some companies did very well with the sale and production of plexiglass for a virus protection collaboration.
Thanks to an uncertain future, plastic production will still be needed. There are many other reasons why investing in Plexiglass is a good idea.
What are the distinctions between polycarbonate and plexiglass ?
Both polycarbonate and plexiglass can be used as glass substitutes. As an example, for a machine enclosure project, it is necessary to develop labor safety protections that meet all regulatory standards (NR-6, NR-10, NR-12, NR-17, and NR-26).
This is because glass does not improve worker safety and can be replaced with one of these alternatives. Both can be used to ensure that those outside the machine can see what is going on while it is running.
This is a preventive control measure to avoid accidents and reduce noise levels, ensuring worker safety and avoiding equipment accidents.
Polycarbonate and plexiglass have some characteristics in common: they are transparent materials with some resistance and are lighter than glass, but they scratch easily. Another important point is that they are less durable when solvents are applied. However, the composition of each is very different.
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Polycarbonate
This polymer, also known as Lexan or Makrolon, is created through a chemical reaction (phosgene with bisphenol A) and the injection of hot plastic into shapes or extrusion through a hole to form bars or tubes.
When compared to plexiglass, this material has a higher impact strength and is commonly used for shielding. Because polycarbonate is manufactured in flexible sheets, it is uncommon for it to chip. However, it must be cleaned with caution, avoiding the use of harsh solvents.
Plexiglass
It is a type of plastic manufactured from a methyl methacrylate monomer in powder or syrup form. Its formation occurs from heating in sheets or tubes, by means of a polymerization catalyst. Its commercial name is Lucite.
Plexiglass is rigid and may chip, and is less resistant to impact. To clean this material, neutral soap is recommended to avoid corrosion.
Material Utilization
Polycarbonate is used in industry for projects that require high impact resistance and long-term durability. Another benefit of this material is its low flammability, which ensures greater safety and reduces the risk of accidents in environments where fire can spread.
Plexiglass, on the other hand, is preferred in projects where transparency and rigidity are desired but a lighter material is preferred to compose a piece.
Plexiglass properties
Plexiglass is less dense – its density ranges between 1150 and 1190 kg/m³. This is less than half the density of glass, which ranges between 2400 and 2800 kg/m³.
This material has a higher impact strength than glass and does not shatter, but can break into large pieces.
It is softer and has less scratch protection than glass. This can be circumvented by anti-scratch films.
Plexiglass is produced and processed at lower temperatures than glass: only 240-250 °C under atmospheric pressure.
Unlike glass this material does not filter out ultraviolet light. Plexiglass transmits UV light below 300 nm.
This material transmits light in the infrared frequency above 2800 nm. Long wavelength infrared light, above 25,000 nm, is blocked. Special formulations of color exist to allow the transmission of specific wavelengths in the infrared spectrum, while blocking visible light (380 to 750 nm) to be used for example in remote controls.
The advantages of plexiglass
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Benefits in relation to maintenance
Plexiglass sheets have a gleaming, transparent surface that is crucial for constructing a variety of artworks using the material.
Polishing: Depending on the piece’s function and structure, plexiglass can suffer light scratches owing to the use of agents not recommended for cleaning and the action of time, as in cases of public engagement. Plexiglass, on the other hand, has a unique feature: the ability to remove scratches using easy techniques, restoring the piece’s original appearance and ensuring a superb finish every time. The material can be polished manually with a clean flannel, or with furniture, plastics, or even automotive wax polishing products.
Benefits in relation to the structure of the material
A plexiglass sheet has up to five times the impact performance of flat glass of equivalent thickness. In addition, it has excellent shatter resistance. When it breaks, it breaks into large pieces, unlike glass, which makes plexiglass a safer option as well.
The thicknesses of plexiglass sheets vary from 1mm to 60mm, which makes it possible for plexiglass to be used even in the making of aquariums, even withstanding hydrostatic pressure. When in low thicknesses, this material becomes very light pieces, facilitating their transport.
Plexiglass sheets usually have a durability of up to 10 years, resisting any type of climatic action. They have protection from the sun’s UV rays, which is also a guarantee against weathering yellowing.
Benefits in relation to glass
Plexiglass sheets have several advantages for use in place of glass. Are they:
.Impact resistance is ten times that of glass.
.Density twice that of glass.
.For the same object, the weight is half.
. It does not cause injuries to people when it breaks.
.Transparency greater than glass.
.Plexiglass sheets have greater resistance to sunlight, which allows a very long life for plexiglass.
.Greater variety of texture and colors
Thus in many plexiglass sheet applications it may be advantageous to use this material instead of glass.
Some examples can be cited:Houseware Windows in schools where there are children Security windows in buildings Store counters Refrigerator counters.
The 5 best plexiglass stocks you can invest in.
Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM)
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At LyondellBasell Industries NV (NYSE: LYB), Plexiglass represents over 90% of the company’s production! This Industries has been around since 1883 and today pro
