Plastic Material Sciences
Stronger Plastics. Smaller Footprint.
Better materials build better parts. Cascade Engineering’s plastic material sciences team formulates and tests polymers that combine strength, consistency, and sustainability.
Michigan-Made Capability
Our Services
Material Formulation Built for Real-World Production
Cascade helps teams develop plastic materials that match the function, performance, and production goals of the part being made.
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Custom Compounding
For projects that demand something unique, our materials team develops custom resin blends engineered to your product’s function and production method. We collaborate directly with your engineers to fine-tune mechanical, thermal, and aesthetic properties, ensuring consistent performance from pilot to full-scale production.
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Polymer Compounding
We formulate high-performance compounds that balance strength, heat resistance, and processing efficiency, without compromising recyclability or cost. Our in-house A2LA-certified materials lab enables precise control over additive loading, color matching, and mechanical properties.
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Sustainable Material Development
Explore lower-impact materials, including UBQ™, hemp-based plastics, post-consumer regrind, and field-sourced material from recycled carts. Cascade’s work in recycled and renewable materials supports circular manufacturing without losing sight of part performance.
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Material Testing & Validation
Use lab testing to evaluate mechanical, thermal, and flow properties before production ramps up. Our A2LA-certified lab helps verify that materials are ready for the demands of the final application.
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Manufacturing-Ready Material Support
Move from formulation to molded parts with direct access to Cascade’s injection molding capabilities. Our press fleet includes 37 machines ranging from 165 to 9,000 tons, with part sizes up to 200 pounds depending on the material. Capabilities include 2-shot molding, structural foam molding, and overmolding.
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Materials We Work With
Cascade works with a wide range of recycled base materials and polymer types, including:
- UBQ™
- Hemp-based plastics
- Post-consumer regrind
- Field-sourced material from recycled carts
- Nylon
- PP (Polypropylene)
- HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
- Acetal
- Filled resins
Get in Touch
Let’s Get Started
Tell us what you’re building. We’ll set up a meeting to explore your goals, review material options, and find the right path forward.
How We Do It
From Material Goals to Molded Parts
Learn About Your Part
Start with your product goals, performance needs, production method, sustainability priorities, and cost considerations.
Review Material Options
Compare available materials, recycled-content opportunities, renewable materials, and custom resin blends that could fit the application.
Develop or Adjust the Formula
Create or refine compounds based on strength, weight, color, finish, durability, thermal performance, or other part characteristics.
Test Before Production
Use lab testing to evaluate performance and catch potential issues before material decisions affect tooling, production, or long-term use.
Move Into Manufacturing
Connect material development with Cascade’s molding capabilities, so the material is designed with the final production process in mind.
Why Us
Why Choose Cascade?
In-House Materials Expertise
Our A2LA-certified lab provides direct access to compounding, formulation, and resin testing under one roof.
Sustainability Leadership
We’re advancing the circular economy through post-consumer regrind, UBQ™, hemp-based plastics, and other renewable materials.
Collaborative Engineering Support
Our materials engineers work directly with your team to align performance, cost, and environmental goals.
Proven Manufacturing Integration
We compound and mold within the same organization, ensuring consistency from formulation to finished product.
Solutions That Scale
Industries We Serve
Waste & Recycling
Recycled-content compounds that support circular material use while delivering the durability needed for long service cycles.
Automotive
Polymer compounds developed for structural, interior, and under-hood components where weight, impact performance, and durability matter over long service lives.
Infrastructure
Polymer formulations engineered for outdoor use, supporting resistance to UV exposure, temperature shifts, and environmental stress.
Material Handling
Custom blends built to handle repeated loading, abrasion, and exposure to demanding operational conditions.
Office Furniture
Engineered materials designed to maintain strength, finish, and visual consistency through repeated use in commercial and institutional environments.
Agriculture
Durable plastic components designed to support demanding agricultural equipment, storage, and material handling applications.
Reviews
Testimonials
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Our materials team can identify bio-based, recycled, or hybrid compounds that meet your product’s performance requirements.
We support automotive, furniture, infrastructure, waste management, and material handling industries, among others.
Yes. Our lab provides mechanical, thermal, and flow testing to verify performance before scaling to production.
We can develop color-matched and texture-specific compounds aligned with your brand or product line.
Yes. We collaborate with recyclers and raw material suppliers to source sustainable feedstocks and validate quality.
We offer flexible batch sizes for pilot runs and full-scale production, depending on material type and application.
Let’s Get Started
Ready to discuss your project? Reach out to our team today.
