In the fast-growing plastics industry, the fastest grower of all is a leathery, translucent material with a tongue-twisting name: polyethylene. Because "poly" is shatterproof, it is ideal for practice golf balls, "squeeze bottles" for deodorants and cosmetics, and cups, plates and saucers. Because it remains flexible even at low temperatures, it is fine for ice-cube trays and refrigerator containers; because it is acid-resistant, it is used in photo-developing tanks and piping for chemical plants. In ten years, U.S. output of poly has increased almost twenty fold, to 125 million Ibs. ;...
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