PP vs PPSU

In the field of plastic products, PP (polypropylene) and PPSU (polyphenylsulfone) are two common thermoplastic materials with significant performance differences. Although they belong to different grades, in fields such as infant and toddler products, medical devices, and food contact products, they are often compared together by users. Behind this phenomenon lies the real trade-off that terminal brands face when choosing materials: "performance vs. cost" and "general-purpose vs. high-end".

PP vs PPSU

01 | Application Overlap: From "Usable" to "Usable Better"

PP & PPSU Typical Shared Applications:

  ・Infant bottles and breast pump components
  ・Medical device handles and syringe accessories
  ・Retort-sterilizable containers and drinking system components

When choosing these products, consumers often face the choice between the sufficiency and affordability of PP and the safety and durability of PPSU. This divergence in consumer strata also influences brands' raw material sourcing strategies.

In practical applications, PP and PPSU are often not simply a "comparison of advantages and disadvantages", but rather a choice is made based on multiple dimensions such as product target positioning, user demand level, and expected service life.

PP is more suitable for:

  ・Cost-sensitive markets, such as disposable tableware, low-cost baby bottles, and general-purpose storage containers;
  ・Products that do not require high-temperature disinfection or long-term repeated use.

PPSU is more suitable for:

  ・Products that require high-temperature use, high-frequency disinfection, and structural safety are of vital importance.
  ・Medical or infant and toddler products with clear requirements for impact resistance, aging resistance and service life.

This combination strategy of "using PP for the low-end and PPSU for the high-end" has become the mainstream approach for many brands to differentiate their product lines and expand their user base.

02 | Performance gap: Heat resistance, impact resistance and chemical resistance

If the customer's products are targeted at high-end maternal and infant products, medical devices, aviation drinking water systems, etc., PPSU can greatly enhance the product's usage value and user trust. For products that focus on cost control and large-scale shipment, PP is the preferred solution.

03 | Medical-grade material Selection: Regulations, Tolerance and Life Cycle

The material selection standards for medical devices and baby and maternal products are strict. Not only are the materials themselves required to be non-toxic and harmless, but they also need to meet a series of biocompatibility certifications such as FDA, USP Class VI, and ISO 10993.

  ・Although PÁGINAS has good chemical stability, it is not suitable for high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization (such as 134°C high-pressure steam), and is prone to problems such as deformation and embrittlement.

  ・PPSU, with its excellent thermal stability and chemical resistance, is widely used in reusable sterilizable surgical instrument handles, dental instruments, baby and maternal products, etc.

Therefore, in high-end medical devices, dental equipment, and baby disinfection products, PPSU is one of the very few plastic materials that can comply with regulations and performance requirements.

04 | Procurement Logic: The Synergy Between Cost and Product Lines

From the perspective of traders and end-user buyers, PP and PPSU are not mutually exclusive options, but rather complementary materials that serve different product strategies.

Although PPSU's procurement cost is significantly higher than PP, its overall cost-effectiveness, driven by its longevity and durability, is particularly valuable for brands, medical institutions, and reusable device manufacturers, demonstrating that long-term investment outweighs short-term costs.

Many brands adopt the following tiered strategy:

  ・Entry-level products → PP material, emphasizing cost-effectiveness and basic functionality;
  ・High-end product lines → PPSU material, emphasizing durability, safety, and brand identity.

This strategy requires raw material suppliers to have: dual-material inventory, material performance comparison recommendations, and cost model support to better support brand differentiation.

05 | Which one is safer? The genuine concerns of users

Safety is one of the core issues that consumers care about.

  ・PÁGINAS is compliant and non-toxic, but it is prone to aging after multiple high-temperature uses, which may cause material degradation or structural instability.

  ・PPSU is specially designed for "long-term, high-temperature, and high-impact" scenarios, featuring stronger chemical stability and outstanding anti-aging capabilities.

In actual products, PP is safe but time-sensitive, while PPSU is safer and more stable, making it particularly suitable for repeated use or high-risk application scenarios.

06 | Is PPSU worth it? Who is it suitable for?

The unit price of PPSU material is indeed several times higher than that of PP, but it also brings:

  ・Longer product life cycle;
  ・Higher end-user satisfaction;
  ・Lower after-sales and security risks;
  ・Stronger brand premium capacity.

For manufacturers or brand owners with brand awareness, who emphasize quality and repurchase rates, PPSU is an investment rather than a cost.

PPSU material is suitable for the following companies/product types:

✅ High-end maternity and baby brands that emphasize "high-temperature sterilization" and "shock and aging resistance" as selling points;
✅ Medical device companies that need to meet regulatory certification and long-term use requirements;
✅ Manufacturers of industrial drinking water systems and aviation drinking water accessories;
✅ Customers with product differentiation needs and brand upgrade strategies.

If customers prioritize one-time costs, PP is a good choice for fast delivery. If customers prioritize brand reputation, after-sales risk management, and long-term user experience, PPSU is a more worthwhile investment.

07 | PPSU Baby Bottles vs. PP Baby Bottles: A Direct Comparison

08 | Recommended Similar Raw Materials (for the Maternal and Infant Care and Medical Device Industries)

The following are several PP and PPSU materials that Juyuan currently offers long-term supply for applications such as baby bottles, breast pump accessories, and medical containers:

Recommended PPSU grades:

  ・Solvay Radel® R-5500NT: Transparent, heat-resistant up to 180°C, suitable for repeated steam sterilization

  ・BASF Ultrason® P 3010: Highly transparent, medical-grade certified, suitable for structural parts and thin-walled containers

  ・Juyuan Custom Imported PPSU Granules (FDA, REACH, and RoHS Compliant)

Recommended PP grades:

  ・LyondellBasell Moplen HP500N: Low-odor, food-contact grade, suitable for single-use containers

  ・Sinopec K8003: Transparent, injection-molding-grade PP suitable for mass production of bottle shells and caps

  ・Juyuan General-purpose PP Granules: Stable inventory, suitable for trial production needs of startup brands

Please contact us for material data sheets (TDS), samples, or technical advice.

09 | Our Advantages and Service Support

As an international trader specializing in plastic raw material pellets, Juyuan is committed to providing customers with material solutions tailored to their specific needs:

  ・We offer food/medical-grade PP and PPSU pellets, supporting a variety of brands and grades.

  ・Our PPSU complies with FDA, USP Class VI, ISO 10993, and other certifications.

  ・We can provide TDS, MSDS, samples, and application recommendations.

  ・We support cross-border shipments, offer flexible MOQs, and provide rapid response times.

  ・We have served clients in various industries, including maternal and child care, healthcare, and drinking water systems.

If you are facing challenges with material selection, product upgrades, or cost control, please feel free to contact us. We will provide customized, professional solutions tailored to your process and target market.