Toughness
A tough material can absorb energy before breaking.
ENGINEERING PLASTICS
ABS(Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene)
A common rigid plastic that balances a hard surface with resistance to knocks.
Polymer / material family
THE NAME, EXPLAINED
What is ABS?
ABS means Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene.
A common rigid plastic that balances a hard surface with resistance to knocks.
Worth knowing
Separate ABS from PC/ABS blends. Electrical housings may include flame retardants, metal inserts or coatings that must be declared.
WHY MANUFACTURERS CHOOSE IT01 02 03
Properties with a practical purpose.
Rigidity
Describes how firmly a material resists bending.
Mouldability
This is a typical reason for selecting suitable grades. Check the manufacturer’s data sheet for the actual formulation and service conditions.
Properties vary with formulation, reinforcement, moisture, processing and service conditions. Use the exact grade data sheet for engineering decisions.
THE NEXT-CYCLE QUESTION
What matters when considering recovery?
A known grade and a clean, separated batch make the recycling enquiry more useful. A route must still be agreed.
Separate ABS from PC/ABS blends. Electrical housings may include flame retardants, metal inserts or coatings that must be declared.
Poly-Cycle can discuss your material information and collection requirements. Inclusion in this guide does not confirm acceptance, a particular recycling method or that every operation takes place at a Poly-Cycle facility.
How assessment and collection workMake the enquiry easier
- Confirm the identity. Keep the manufacturer, trade grade and polymer marking. For an additive or chemical, include the safety data sheet.
- Describe the batch. Give the weight, colour and form: pellets, parts, sheet, film, fibre or another format.
- Explain what else is present. Declare fillers, coatings, metal inserts, other polymers and previous contact with chemicals or other contaminants.
- Agree the route. Share photographs and your collection postcode before arranging a movement.
FROM THE GUIDE TO YOUR MATERIAL
Have ABS to discuss?
Send the team your grade details, approximate quantity and photographs. We can discuss the information needed for your particular batch.
KEEP EXPLORING
Browse Engineering Plastics Related material guides.
SBC
Styrene-butadiene copolymer
A styrenic polymer family that can offer a useful balance of transparency and toughness.
Understand this material MABSMethyl methacrylate-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
A modified styrenic plastic that offers transparency alongside impact performance.
Understand this material SANStyrene-acrylonitrile copolymer
A rigid, often transparent plastic used for durable clear products.
Understand this materialTechnical references and reading
General material information reviewed 1 November 2026. Manufacturer information supports the material descriptions; recycling enquiry guidance is an editorial synthesis, not a statement of a supplier’s or Poly-Cycle’s acceptance criteria.
Browse this guide under: Engineering Plastics. The original category inventory was informed by RM Group’s plastics directory; explanations have been written for Poly-Cycle.