Polymers are the backbone of plastics. The giants of the molecular world, they can be built from simple moleculars (monomers) into stars, chains, brushes and trees to generate desired application-specific qualities. The objective of this review is to highlight some examples of exciting, emerging developmental trends in plastics and in their technologies. The scope is not limited to documenting a series of developments in plastics technology but also to inform readers where these events are taking place.