Most polymers require chemical additives to make them of practical value. The additives industry is worth over $16billion/ annum.

Some of the types of additives are:

Process Additives - lubricants, mold-release agents, and blowing agents

Stabilizers - heat stabilizers, UV and visible light stabilizers, antioxidants, antimicrobial agents (preservatives)

Plasticizer - a softening agent that is added to a polymer to facilitate processing or enhance physical properties. PVC (Polyvinyl chloride), for example uses 55% by weight of plasticizers. DINP (Diisononyl phthalate) is used as the softening agent in many pliable PVC toys.

These plastic additives may potentially leach out of the plastics and cause environmental concerns. The effects of DINP in toys or DEHP in medical tubing/ products are a concern to the public.

Compounding- the mixing of polymers with additives.

Resin Identification Code
This is a code found on most plastic products that allows you to identify the material it is made from. There is not a code for hemp plastics yet.