The earliest mention of The Horners Company of London dates back to 1284, where horn and tortoiseshell were the predominant early natural plastics.

Around 1,600 years before our era in South America, humans manipulated latex to craft balls and figurines, marking the earliest known use of plastic by mankind.

In 1823, Macintosh utilized rubber gum to waterproof cotton, leading to the creation of the iconic 'mac' raincoat.

In 1845, Bewley designed an extruder specifically for gutta percha, a material commonly used in various applications.

The laying of the first submarine telegraph cable made of gutta percha between Dover and Calais occurred in 1850, revolutionizing communication.

In 1855, Alexander Parkes invented Parkesine, which is known today as celluloid.

Around 1860, Alexander Parkes created a yellow Parkesine fishing reel, an early example of celluloid-based products that contributed to the development of plastics.

The initial prototypes of Parkesine, derived from plant cellulose, were displayed at the London International Exhibition. It marked the earliest form of synthetic plastic, discovered by Alexander Parkes.

Since the invention of synthetic polymers in 1869, plastics have become an essential part of our lives, changing the way we live. The properties of polymers make them strong, lightweight, and flexible, leading to their widespread use in various industries.

Celluloïd was invented by John Wesley Hyatt and his brother, incorporating camphor into Parkesine. It was the first commercial plastic, initially used for table tennis balls and film.

In 1872, the Hyatt brothers obtained a patent for the first plastics injection moulding machine, revolutionizing the manufacturing process of plastic products.

The fashion trend for long hair in the 1880s led to cellulose nitrate replacing horn as the favored material for manufacturing combs.

In 1885, George Eastman Kodak patented a machine that enabled the continuous production of photographic film using cellulose nitrate, a significant advancement in photography.

In 1890, thermoforming was introduced as a method to produce babies rattles using cellulose nitrate, showcasing the versatility of plastic in toy manufacturing.

In 1892, thermoforming was introduced and utilized to create baby rattles made from cellulose nitrate.

Auguste Trillat develops Galalith by immersing casein in formaldehyde, utilized in the fashion industry for making buttons and costume jewelry.

Two German researchers developed Galalith, a type of plastic that is still used today, mainly for plastic buttons.

The mass production of rpm gramophone records from shellac commenced in 1898, marking a significant milestone in the music industry.

In 1899, Krische and Spittler in Germany were granted a patent for Casein Plastic derived from milk, which was later showcased at the Plastics Universal Exhibition in 1900.

In 1907, Leo Baekeland invented the first synthetic plastic called Bakelite, which revolutionized the industry by offering a wide range of desirable properties. Plastics have since become ubiquitous in various aspects of daily life.

In 1908, Swiss chemist J. Brandenberger introduced cellophane, the first flexible and transparent material.

In 1909, Leo Hendrik Baekeland discovered the first synthetic resins, paving the way for the modern plastics industry.

In 1910, stockings made of viscose began to be manufactured in Germany.

Jacques Brandenberger patents Cellophane, transparent sheets used for packaging food, gift wrap, and sticky tape.

In 1913, German inventor Friedrich Klatte patented a process for polymerisation to manufacture PVC, a significant development in the history of plastics.

In 1915, Queen Mary saw casein products at the British Industries Fair and ordered several pieces of jewellery made from it.

In 1916, Rolls Royce started using phenol formaldehyde in its car interiors and proudly promoted this innovation.

In 1919, Eichengrun produced the first cellulose acetate moulding powder.

In 1920, Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was invented, revolutionizing the plastic industry by providing a versatile alternative to natural rubber. PVC has become one of the most widely used plastic materials in the modern world.

The rapid growth of phenolic mouldings, especially for electrical insulation, started in 1921, with the addition of phenolic laminates in 1930.

In 1922, Staudinger published his work recognizing that plastics are composed of long chain molecules, leading to a Nobel prize in 1935.

In 1924, Rossiter at British Cyanide developed urea thiourea formaldehyde resins, later commercialized as the first water white transparent thermosetting moulding powder.

The term 'Plastic' was first introduced in 1925, marking a significant moment in the history of synthetic materials. This term has since become ubiquitous in describing a wide range of synthetic polymers.

The invention of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) in 1926 marked the beginning of its commercial success, after earlier unsuccessful attempts by Russian chemists.

In 1929, Bakelite Ltd received its largest ever order for phenolic moulding powder for the casing of the Siemens telephone.

In 1930, the first transparent sticky tape, known as 'Scotch' tape, was invented in the US by the 3M Company.

In 1931, Plexiglas, a strong and transparent type of plastic, was invented in two different laboratories. It quickly gained popularity and success.

In 1932, the patent for screw per-plasticisation in injection moulding was granted, marking a significant advancement in the plastic industry.

In 1933, a team at ICI's plant in Winnington accidentally discovered polyethylene while attempting to combine ethylene and benzaldehyde under pressure and heat. The white waxy substance found in the reaction tube turned out to be a polymer of ethylene, which later became the world's most abundant plastic known for its strength, flexibility, and heat resistance.

In 1935, Wallace Carothers invented Nylon as a synthetic silk, which played a crucial role during World War II by being used for parachutes, ropes, body armor, and more. Nylon provided a synthetic alternative to scarce natural resources and demonstrated the adaptability of plastics in various applications.

Crawford at ICI developed the first commercial synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate).

The first production of aircraft canopies made from 'Perspex' occurred.

In 1938, Chemist Roy Plunkett discovered Teflon, a very durable and resistant plastic that is widely used in kitchenware today.

In 1939, ICI in the UK achieved the first commercial production of polyethylene, a major milestone in the plastics industry.

In 1940, DuPont introduced polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as an early engineering product, showcasing the company's innovation in polymer development.

Whinfield and Dickson patented 'polyethylene terephthalate' (PET) in 1941, leading to the creation of the first polyester fiber known as Terylene.

In August 1942, Joseph L. Nicholson and George R. Leighton published an article in Harper's Magazine discussing the emergence of plastics and their significance.

In 1943, the first pilot plant for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) was established, paving the way for the future commercialization of 'Teflon'.

Monsanto's production of LDPE 'Sqezy Bottle' in 1945 revolutionized packaging, replacing glass bottles with plastic containers for various products like shampoos and liquid soaps.

After World War II, chemists worldwide enhanced the formulas of Catalin and Bakelite, rendering them obsolete.

In 1947, Formica melamine faced decorative laminates were introduced in the UK, offering a durable and stylish surfacing material for various applications.

In 1948, George deMestral invented Velcro, a hook-and-loop fastening system that gained widespread popularity and utility.

DuPont invented 'Lycra' in 1949, a stretchy fabric based on polyurethane that revolutionized the textile industry with its elasticity and comfort.

The global production of plastics has been tracked since 1950.

In 1953, the polyethylene bag made its first appearance, revolutionizing the way products were packaged and carried.

Dow Chemical Co. introduced Polystyrene foam in 1954, a lightweight and versatile material used in various applications.

In 1955, the UK saw the first production of high density polyethylene, marking a milestone in the plastics industry.

In 1956, DuPont filed patents for the first acetals, known as POM, contributing to the development of engineering plastics.

1957 marked the first production of polypropylene using Ziegler-Natta catalysts, a significant advancement in polymer production.

In 1958, Bayer and General Electric achieved the first production of polycarbonates, a durable and transparent material used in various applications.

DuPont launched Ethylene-vinyl acetate co-polymers in 1960, providing a flexible and durable material for various applications.

In 1962, DuPont introduced polyimide films and varnishes, offering high heat resistance and electrical insulation properties.

Chemist Stephanie Kwolek developed Kevlar, a light, extremely resistant, and durable plastic compound that is widely used today.

Polycarbonate (PC) was introduced as a highly transparent and impact-resistant plastic. It found applications in various industries, including being used in astronauts' helmets during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969.

In 1970, the first Yellow HDPE pressure pipes for gas were introduced in the UK by Wavin/British Gas, revolutionizing the gas distribution infrastructure.

American entrepreneur Nathaniel Wyeth patented the PET bottle in 1973. It is a form of polyester and has advantages over glass due to being lightweight and virtually unbreakable.

By 1976, plastics in its various forms had become the most widely used material globally, showcasing its versatility and widespread applications in various industries.

The plastic bag was introduced to the grocery industry in 1977 as a more convenient alternative to paper bags, a change that has had long-lasting environmental impacts.

In the 1980s and 90s, there were significant advancements in High Performance Plastics, leading to the development of materials with superior strength, durability, and heat resistance.

In 1982, grocery chains Kroger and Safeway replaced their paper bags with plastic.

In 1983, ICI and Bayer launched high-performance plastics like PEEK, PPS, and PES, contributing to the advancement of engineering materials.

In 1985, the Single-use PET bottle was introduced, becoming a major contributor to plastic waste in oceans and eventually breaking down into harmful microplastics.

In 1987, BASF in Germany produced a polyacetylene with twice the electrical conductivity of copper, showing potential for advanced electrical applications.

The Gravimetric Batch Blender was invented by Steve Maguire in 1989, revolutionizing the plastics industry by enabling affordable gravimetric blending for processors.

In 1990, ICI, the British innovators of polyethylene, created the first practical biodegradable plastic called Biopol. It was initially utilized in a Wella shampoo bottle, marking a significant advancement in eco-friendly plastics.

In 1997, Charles Moore discovered the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is the world’s largest collection of floating plastic waste.

In 1998, a Bakelite bracelet known as the 'Philadelphia bracelet' was sold for $17,000 at a Treadway/Toomey auction.

In 2000, the first commercial metallocene catalyzed polyolefins were introduced, offering enhanced properties and performance in plastic materials.

The Polycond project was set up to investigate the potential of conductive polymers.

Laws relating to plastic started to become more common from the year 2006, which correlates with the rise of plastic production in line with population growth.

In 2008, China implemented a ban on free plastic bags in an effort to reduce plastic pollution.

Various advancements in plastic technology including bulletproof polymer, plastics blood, plastic solar cells, implantable polymers, and more.

In 2011, Susan Freinkel authored a book titled 'Plastics: A Toxic Love Story' which delves into the complex relationship between humans and plastics, shedding light on the environmental impact.

The discovery of Bakelite is considered one of the most important innovations of the late 19th century.

The creation of the first plastic material traces back to the development of billiard balls.

A study revealed that citizens of the US and UK are the largest contributors to plastic waste globally.

A new bill has been introduced with the aim of expanding the bans on single-use plastics.

In November 2021, Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael re-introduced the Plastics Pollution Bill, which aims to set a 2025 target to eliminate 'non-essential single-use plastics'.

A new study suggests that bioplastic is not any safer than traditional plastic materials.

PLA, a 100% biosourced and biodegradable plastic, is a renewable alternative to conventional plastics. It emits three times less CO2 and is already available on the market, showing potential to reduce environmental impact. PLA could play a significant role in making plastics more sustainable.

Various international organizations and entities are actively involved in creating and implementing standards and laws for compostable plastics in response to the growing concern over plastic pollution.

Legislation is being enacted at the national level to establish dedicated composting systems in order to reduce the use of conventional plastics in single-use products and non-recyclable plastics. Standards and labels are being implemented on products to show compliance.

The BPF Annual Dinner is a prestigious event where members of the British Plastics Federation come together to network and celebrate industry achievements.