Choosing the Right Material: Why ABS Plastic is a Smart, Safe, Lightweight Choice

A Long-Lasting, Lightweight, and Cost-Effective Solution, Especially When Strength, Safety, and Ease of Installation are Key

When it comes to underground utility infrastructure, choosing the right materials isn’t just a matter of cost—it’s about ensuring long-term performance, safety, and ease of installation. Among the available options, ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic stands out as a durable, lightweight, and economical material that is particularly well-suited for gas industry applications.

At Bingham & Taylor, we’ve spent over 175 years helping utility professionals access underground utilities safely and efficiently. Our ABS plastic products are engineered for durability and reliability in underground environments, making them a trusted choice for gas utilities across the country.

Why ABS Plastic Works Underground

ABS plastic has been used in underground utility applications since the 1960s—and for good reason. This rigid thermoplastic is highly resistant to:

• Impact
• Chemical exposure
• Temperature fluctuations
• Moisture and acidic soils

Unlike metal, which can corrode over time, ABS plastic remains stable and strong in challenging soil conditions. It’s also easy to modify in the field—cut, drill, or adapt as needed—without compromising performance.

Two Performance Tiers of ABS Plastic at Bingham & Taylor

We offer two material lines of ABS plastic products—Standard ABS and Bison^TM ABS—each designed to meet specific application needs and performance requirements.

Standard ABS Plastic

Our standard ABS products are thicker than most conventional plastic products on the market, offering better strength and resilience for gas utility projects—without the weight and cost of cast iron.

Key benefits:

• Built for durability in moderate to heavy traffic environments.
• Blow-molded to produce thicker walls than typical plastic products.
• Lasts 60+ years in underground conditions.
• Lightweight for safer handling and lower shipping costs.
• Field adaptable for quick installation and jobsite flexibility.
• 100% made in the USA for consistent quality, faster lead times, and exceeding federal sourcing requirements.
• Fully recyclable, – Our standard ABS plastic products are designed with environmental responsibility in mind. We recycle production scrap and continually work to reduce waste, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable manufacturing.

If you need a product that balances strength and cost—particularly when time is tight, or access conditions are tough—our Standard ABS is a smart, reliable choice for your underground utility needs.

Bison ABS Plastic

Specifically engineered for impact resistance and high-performance applications, our Bison series features significantly thicker walls than any other plastic solution on the market. Rather than settling for low-quality imported cast iron, Bison offers a stronger, safer, and more efficient solution—delivering exceptional durability with up to 80% less weight. That means easier handling, safer installation, and reduced long-term costs without sacrificing performance.

Bison products are ideal for high-traffic or high-risk environments, like roadways or areas with heavy vehicle loads. They combine a cast iron lid and rim—for maximum surface durability—with thick-walled ABS plastic top and bottom sections for below-ground efficiency.

• Engineered for high-impact, heavy-duty utility applications
• Combines cast iron and plastic for optimal strength and weight balance
• Reduces strain on field personnel and improves jobsite safety
• Delivers the rigidity needed without the burden of traditional cast iron
• 100% Made in the USA for consistent quality, shorter lead times, and compliance with federal sourcing requirements

Bingham & Taylor’s Bison line is often the preferred choice when strength, safety, and efficiency are critical.

Why ABS Makes Sense

Whether you’re choosing standard or Bison ABS, both offer a range of advantages:

• Lightweight: Safer to lift and easier to transport
• Durable: Handles harsh environments, chemicals, and pressure
• Cost-effective: Saves on freight and requires little to no maintenance
• Eco-conscious: Recyclable, and we reuse scrap material in production
• Proudly Made in the USA: Supports domestic supply chains and exceeds federal sourcing requirements

Ideal Uses for ABS Plastic in Utility Work

Our ABS plastic products are particularly effective in:

• Medium to heavy traffic locations
• Chemically active or wet soils
• Gas utility applications where safety, speed, and access matter
• Jobs with tight timelines or budgets
• Projects requiring in-field flexibility

ABS plastic—especially when engineered for utility use—is more than just an alternative to cast iron. It’s a forward-thinking solution that supports better performance, safer work environments, and more efficient utility networks.

To learn more about Choosing the Right Materials for Underground Utility Access Solutions, we welcome you to download our most recent eBook here