The purpose of this report is to study how electronic marketplaces are used in the plastic industry. We focus the report on companies that produce plastic products and would have an interest in using the marketplaces for purchase of  Raw materials, Auxiliary equipment, and Tools. The report does not focus on the purchase of finished plastic products.

The plastic companies use a large amount of raw materials in their productions, and e-marketplaces may be a way of finding new suppliers and reduce costs. For the purchase of new and used machines (auxiliary equipment and tools), electronic marketplaces can be used to identify buyers and sellers, but the actual sale is done through direct contact and inspection of the machines. The e-marketplaces that started with the intention of online trading has expanded and offers individual services to their buyers and sellers. Geography is a major factor when it comes to buying and selling on e-marketplaces within the plastic industry.