1.   It has been known for some time that versatile plastics could be made from vegetable matter but production costs have been prohibitive.

2.   Also benefiting from rising prices for products will be Geon Co. and Georgia Gulf Corp., which make plastics used in pipes and vinyl siding.

3.   Also benefiting from rising prices will be Geon Co. and Georgia Gulf Corp., which make plastics used in pipes and vinyl siding.

4.   An increase in demand for petrochemicals, used in making plastics, synthetic rubber and fibers, is causing a shortage of supplies and a jump in prices.

5.   Chemical producers like BASF have been hurt badly by plunging demand for chemicals used to make plastics.

6.   Dow Chemical Co. obtained a temporary court order blocking General Electric Co. from using its technology and trade secrets in making plastics for cars, appliances and other products.

7.   Ethylene is a basic chemical used to make plastics.

8.   Eastman Chemical and Wellman Inc. both make the plastic, also known as PET.

9.   Even certain hospital devices and manufacturing equipment used in making plastics have affected communications at some time.

10.   IBM last year released one computer model, the IntelliStation E Pro, in which all plastics are made of recycled resins.