Buy polymers, plastics and rubber in bulk: offers from suppliers
The name of the polymer is only the beginning
“Polypropylene” or “polyethylene” does not define the product yet. For a manufacturer, the grade, the melt flow index (MFI), the colour and the purity matter. The same PP with an MFI of 3 and with an MFI of 30 is meant for different processes. So when you ask for a price, state straight away what equipment you use and what you make: moulding, extrusion, blow moulding.
Decide separately whether you need virgin or recycled material. Recycled granules and ground regrind are usually cheaper, but have a wider spread of quality and colour.
How to get offers on BlaBlaPrice
Instead of a long search through websites and calling suppliers, you create one request. You can add one photo of a sample or a datasheet for the grade. The request is checked, and you are told which specifications are missing.
Suppliers reply in the chat: the price per kg or tonne or what it depends on, the minimum order, packing, delivery terms. Each one sees where their offer ranks and can change their terms to win the request. The offer with the best overall terms is shown first, with reviews of the seller next to it. You give your contacts only to the chosen supplier. The general principles are on the “How it works” page.
What to put in your request
- Type of polymer — HDPE, LDPE, PP, PVC, PET flakes, ABS, rubber crumb.
- Virgin or recycled — and what level of purity is acceptable.
- Form — granules, flakes, regrind, powder, sheets.
- Specifications — grade, MFI, colour, impurities; for example, MFI 3–5, grey.
- Quantity — in tonnes or kg.
- Packing — loose, bags of 25 or 40 kg, big bags, pallets.
- Regularity — a one-off purchase or ongoing supplies.
- Delivery city and the price you consider acceptable.
Example: “I need recycled polypropylene granules, grey, MFI 3–5, 20 tonnes, in 40 kg bags. Delivery to Al Ain, with monthly supplies afterwards. Indicative price up to AED 3.67 per kg.”
How to compare suppliers
A price per kg that ignores delivery and tax tells you nothing. Find out whether tax is included, whether it is collection or delivered, and what the payment terms are. Ask for a quality certificate or datasheet, and for recycled material, a sample you can test on your own line before a big batch.
Ask about consistency: will every batch be of the same quality, how much material is in stock and how quickly can the supplier dispatch. For regular purchases, agree on a fixed price period or at least on the rules for revising prices.
Common mistakes
Ordering by the name of the polymer without the grade and MFI. Taking a big batch of recycled material without a trial one. Not checking the moisture and purity of the batch. Mixing up the price per kg and per tonne when comparing offers.
If you are looking for packaging made of this material, see containers and packaging materials, and for other raw materials, the “Raw materials” section.
