Thermoplastics are an important class of plastics that are used in many applications due to their versatile properties. In contrast to thermoset plastics, thermoplastics are solid at room temperature and become soft when heated and can be shaped into any shape. Once cooled, they retain their new shape and can be reheated and reshaped if necessary.

Thermoplastics are also used in adhesive technology. The so-called hot melt adhesives, hot melts or hot glues are solid at room temperature and are melted with a hot glue gun and applied in the melted state. When the thermoplastic adhesive cools, it is solid again.