Choosing the right thermoplastic is one of the most important decisions in any injection moulding project. The polymer you select shapes how a part performs, how it looks, how much it costs to produce and how easily it can be recycled at the end of its life. At Great Central Plastics, we mould an extensive range of thermoplastics from our Northamptonshire facility, and our team works closely with customers to specify the right polymer, grade and finish for each project. Whether you need fully certified food-grade materials, engineering-grade plastics for demanding automotive or industrial parts, or eco-friendly alternatives, we have the capability and experience to deliver.
Working with us gives you a full-service UK plastic injection moulding company that combines in-house toolmaking, a wide range of moulding machines, and comprehensive post-moulding services under one roof, backed by ISO 9001:2015 quality accreditation.
We work with a broad range of thermoplastic polymers, from commodity grades used in high-volume consumer products to specialist engineering plastics for demanding technical applications. Each material has its own strengths and suits different applications.
Beyond the base polymer, the specific grade matters too. We can source materials to suit the technical, regulatory and sustainability requirements of your product:
Food-grade materials. Fully certified for food-contact applications including drinkware, kitchenware and food packaging.
Engineering-grade plastics. For demanding automotive, industrial and technical parts requiring high strength, wear resistance or heat performance.
Recycled and bio-based grades. Including post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics and plant-based alternatives such as Bio-Flex and Gum-tec, supporting sustainable product design without compromising on quality.
Standard commodity grades. Cost-effective materials for high-volume consumer and packaging products.
If your product needs a specific certification, whether food-contact, medical or automotive quality standards, our team can help identify the right grade before tooling is committed.
For products where appearance matters, we offer masterbatch colour matching with the ability to match to Pantone specifications. Beyond standard colours, we produce a range of special-effect finishes to help your product stand out, including:
Glitter and fluorescent finishes
Glow-in-the-dark and edge-glow effects
Transparent, tinted and pearlescent finishes
Metallic and textured effects for automotive and premium applications
We can also advise on the compatibility of different finishes with your chosen material, since some polymers accept certain finishes better than others.
Full-service UK plastic injection moulding company. Material specification, in-house toolmaking, bespoke moulding and post-moulding services all under one roof.
Established 1998. Over 25 years of experience across a broad range of applications and industries, from marquee brands to bespoke technical projects.
ISO 9001:2015 registered. Quality management systems you can rely on.
Northamptonshire-based. British manufacturing with short lead times, easier site visits and stronger IP protection than offshore alternatives.
Sustainable production. Solar panels on the factory roof generate around a third of our energy, and our in-house regrind process reuses material wherever possible. For more, see our sustainable injection moulding and eco-friendly materials pages.
A wide range of thermoplastic polymers can be injection moulded, including commodity plastics like polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene and ABS, and engineering-grade plastics like nylon and polycarbonate. Great Central Plastics works with all of these and more from our Northamptonshire facility.
There is no single best material for injection moulding. The right choice depends on the product's function, operating environment, appearance requirements, budget and production volume. Polypropylene and ABS are the most widely used, but the ideal material for any specific product depends on its individual requirements. Our team can help you decide.
Yes. We work with fully certified food-grade polymers suitable for drinkware, food packaging and kitchenware. All materials are sourced from reputable suppliers with the appropriate documentation and compliance certification.
Yes. We work with a range of recycled and bio-based plastics, including post-consumer recycled (PCR) grades and plant-based alternatives. Suitability depends on your product's performance and regulatory requirements, and we can advise on the highest realistic recycled content for your project.
Yes. We offer masterbatch colour matching to Pantone specifications, and we produce a range of special-effect finishes including glitter, fluorescent, glow-in-the-dark, transparent and pearlescent.
Commodity plastics such as polypropylene, polyethylene and polystyrene are lower cost and used in high volumes for everyday products. Engineering plastics such as nylon and polycarbonate cost more but offer higher strength, heat resistance or other technical properties suited to demanding applications.
If you're weighing up two or three material options, or you're at the start of a project and unsure which polymer to specify, our team is happy to help. For a detailed walk-through of the factors to consider, read our complete material selection guide.
For tailored advice on your specific project, get in touch for a no-obligation conversation. We'll help you match the right material to your performance, finish, budget and sustainability requirements.
