Polymerkost

Polymerkost is a term used in materials economics and polymer engineering to describe the total cost associated with the use of polymers in a product or production system. It includes the purchase price of polymer resin, additives, and masterbatches, as well as processing costs, energy consumption, equipment wear, and waste handling. In many analyses, polymerkost is considered alongside other material costs to evaluate total cost of ownership or life cycle cost.

The components of polymerkost include raw-material costs, which vary by polymer type, grade, supplier contracts, and market volatility; processing costs, which depend on manufacturing technology such as injection molding, extrusion, or blow molding, and are affected by cycle times and energy efficiency; and auxiliary costs such as quality control, scrap, logistics, and end-of-life management. Environmental and regulatory costs can also influence the overall figure, especially for polymers with specific handling or recycling requirements.

Calculation approaches for polymerkost commonly use life cycle costing, activity-based costing, or total cost of ownership frameworks. Data sources include supplier price indices, plant energy meters, production databases, and recycling credits where applicable. Sensitivity analyses are often conducted to assess how changes in resin prices, processing efficiency, or waste recovery impact the overall cost.

Applications of polymerkost include support for product design decisions, supplier selection, and make-or-buy evaluations, as well as sustainability assessments that compare polymers with alternative materials or recycled-content options. Limitations include price volatility, data availability, and differences in scope across organizations, underscoring the importance of transparent definitions and consistent methodologies.