M6208 - Plastic piping and plastic related products celluloid, articles, fibreglass products, and gypsum wallboard

Operational Details
Generally, plastic manufacturing begins with plastic pellets, beads, powders, or sheets, which are initially produced by petrochemical manufacturers. The added value begins by taking the raw plastic product and heating it to a pliable state. Through the use of a chemical reaction, it is then formed into various sizes and shapes. Forming methods include injection molding, thermoforming, rotational molding, compression molding, expanded foam, casting and calendering.

After forming the product, it may be subjected to a variety of finishing processes, including adhesive bonding, friction fitting, machining, surface decorating (sandblasting, painting and metalizing), or welding. Items produced can include: lagoon and swimming pool liners, shipping containers, barrels (large size), window and door frames, etc. Most items produced are large, but lightweight in comparison to similar products made out of wood or steel.

Equipment used include: extruding machines, injection molding machines, heat presses, formers, dryers, lathes, electrical and computerized power and hand tools.

Manufacturing using fiberglass results in a variety of products, such as automotive body parts, sports vehicles and boat parts and components. Other small fiberglass reinforced items are used in sporting equipment and other venues where materials must be strengthened. This is also seen in the traditional hockey sticks, where wood was reinforced by fiberglass to lengthen the life of the stick. Fiberglass produced are either bats, rolls, bales, blown wood, or fiberboard.

Even though some of the products manufactured are somewhat dissimilar, loss expectations are similar enough to be included in the same subcode.

Gypsum drywall manufacturing involves using gypsum rock, which is fed into the plant on a conveyor system. It is then transported to a grinder, where the product is ground, then conveyed to a dryer, where the product has its moisture removed, then onto a calciner, where it is again heated and broken down into a fine powder, and finally the powder is conveyed to storage tanks.

In the making of wallboard, gypsum rock is mixed with pulp paper and other additives, and fed by machine through two layers of paper running from revolving drums. The mixture forming between the sheets is pressed, cut to size and run through a drying oven, stacked and transported to a warehouse facility.

SIC Codes
000000542 - Plastic piping/plastic related prod
000000543 - Celluloid articles
000000962 - Fibreglass products
000000544 - Gypsum wallboard