Your Journey to Dynamics 365 Starts Here!
Fill in your business details and let
us be your partner in growth.
Dynamics 365 ERP for Plastics Manufacturing
Dynamics 365 ERP for plastics manufacturing serves as one unified platform where every resin lot, formula, mold, press, and scrap bin is tied to the same part numbers, so you can say what each pound of material became. Dynamics Square, a leading Microsoft Solutions partner, helps you deploy an ERP that is designed around your processes.
Leading Microsoft Solutions Partner in the USA
150+
Certified Dynamics 365 Consultants
35+
Manufacturing and Supply Chain Consultants
500+
Clients Worldwide
60+
Implementations in Manufacturing
Business Central & Supply Chain Management Expertise
USA, Canada & UK Coverage
What Is Dynamics 365 for Plastics Manufacturing?
Dynamics 365 is a cloud-based business management system for plastics manufacturers using injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, thermoforming and compounding to make parts, films, sheets, pipes and pellets.
Production errors can quickly increase waste and costs. An eight-cavity mold running on a 20 second cycle can produce 1,440 parts hourly, making accurate material quantities, color changes and resin batch tracking essential.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 for plastics manufacturers connects purchasing, material tracking, production recipes, manufacturing orders, quality checks, inventory, shipping and financial records. Dynamics Square recommends two products, with the right choice depending on your production processes and business complexity.
Business Central suits injection molders, extruders, thermoformers and other plastics manufacturers that make a defined range of products. It works well for businesses managing standard material lists, production steps and operations across a few plants.
Supply Chain Management suits compounders, blenders and larger processors that work with material formulas, reuse production scrap and manage several plants. It offers advanced tools for production scheduling, equipment maintenance and shop floor operations.
Customer approvals and regulatory compliance depend on your quality processes, product testing and supplier documents. Dynamics 365 helps maintain material batch records, inspection results and production history to support these requirements. The following sections explain the key features.
Compare the Two Products for My PlantWhy Plastics Manufacturing Demands Specialized Industry ERP
Material Is the Biggest Part of Production Cost
Resin, masterbatch and additives often make up a large share of a plastic part's cost, and resin prices can change frequently. Manufacturers need to track material by weight, including stock used in production and scrap. Comparing actual material use with planned quantities helps identify waste and protect profit margins.
Customers Need Proof for Every Batch
Automotive customers may require PPAP documentation and compliance with IATF 16949 related quality requirements. Medical and consumer product buyers may request resin certificates and batch records. Food contact products must meet applicable FDA requirements, and customers may request written assurances. Keeping material batches, inspection results and shipment records connected makes these documents easier to provide.
Recycled Content Claims Need Supporting Records
Businesses claiming recycled content must support their claims with reliable records. The US Federal Trade Commission's Green Guides distinguish qualifying recycled material from scrap routinely reused within the same manufacturing process. Manufacturers making percentage claims need evidence of the recycled material by weight. Tracking recycled resin, regrind and virgin resin by batch helps provide that evidence.
Core Capabilities of Dynamics 365 for Plastics Manufacturing
Raw Material and Resin Lot Tracking
Track resin, masterbatch and additives by batch from receipt through production. Production records link each batch to the parts made from it. Business Central's Quality Management capabilities can support incoming inspections, including resin certificate checks, depending on the installed solution and configuration.
Formulas, Recipes and Production Batches
Record the materials and quantities needed for each plastic compound or product. Business Central uses production bills of materials with versions to manage changes. Approved versions can guide production and material planning, helping teams use the correct recipe for each batch.
Press, Mold and Production Scheduling
Set up machine capacity, working hours and production steps for presses, molds and production lines. Planning tools use demand and forecasts to schedule work and calculate material needs. This helps teams plan which machine will make each product and when materials must be available.
Scrap, Regrind and Waste Reporting
Record scrap separately from good production and classify waste by reason. Material allowances in bills of materials and routings help account for expected losses. These records help teams identify where waste occurs, compare scrap across machines and shifts, and track material sent for regrinding.
Mold and Equipment Maintenance
Record molds, presses and other equipment as assets. Supply Chain Management's Asset Management module supports planned maintenance based on schedules or usage counters, such as machine cycles. Recording repair costs against assets helps teams monitor maintenance spending and plan servicing.
Quality Checks and Product Release
Record inspection results, material certificates and production quality checks to support product release decisions. Business Central can support quality inspections through its Quality Management solution, depending on the installed module and configuration. These records help teams investigate defects and maintain product quality documentation.
Business Central vs. Supply Chain Management for Plastics Manufacturing
Dynamics Square has two ERP systems to offer for plastics manufacturers: Business Central and Supply Chain Management. The right choice depends on your production processes, number of plants and need for material formula control, production planning and equipment maintenance.
| Aspects | Business Central | Supply Chain Management |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Custom molders, extruders, thermoformers, product makers | Compounders, blenders, multi-plant processors |
| Manufacturing style | Production BOMs and routings (Premium license) | Formula-based process manufacturing plus discrete production |
| Recipe control | Versioned production BOMs with certification status | Formulas with approved and activated versions, percentage and batch-size quantities |
| Lot tracking | Item tracking codes assign lot numbers | Batch numbers hold attributes, can be merged, and can be reserved by attribute |
| Planning | MRP, work and machine centers with calendars | Master planning with Planning Optimization, finite capacity scheduling |
| Scrap handling | Scrap % on BOM and routing lines; scrap codes at output journal posting | Scrap on formula and BOM lines; shop-floor reporting with error causes |
| Co-products and by-products | Modeled by the implementation team | Native co-product and by-product support with cost allocation |
| Mold and press maintenance | Fixed assets or partner maintenance apps | Asset Management with maintenance plans driven by counters |
| Quality management | Quality Management module with lot blocking | Quality orders, sampling plans, and non-conformance handling |
| Multi-entity complexity | One operation, one legal entity | Multiple entities, sites, and currencies |
| Starting license (USA) | From $110 per user per month (Premium) | From about $210 per user per month (Standard) |
Injection molders and extruders making products from established material lists can often manage their operations with Business Central Premium at a lower cost, especially across a few plants. Supply Chain Management is better suited to compounders working with formulas, processors recovering and selling recycled material, and businesses managing several plants with usage-based equipment maintenance.
Dynamics 365 records material batches, suppliers, inspection results and production orders that use each batch. These records help teams prepare material certificates, conformance statements and food contact assurances. However, your quality team remains responsible for maintaining official documents, quality procedures and regulatory compliance. During discovery, Dynamics Square identifies which tasks the ERP can handle and which need separate processes or tools.
Match Me with the Right ProductWhat Is the Best ERP for Plastics Manufacturing?
The right ERP for plastics manufacturing should match how your plant turns raw materials into finished products. A system that is too advanced adds unnecessary costs, while a basic system may leave your team managing formulas, scrap records and mold maintenance in spreadsheets.
Business Central Is the Better Choice When
Your products follow set material lists and production steps, and you operate one or a few plants. You need resin batch tracking, quality checks and scrap reporting without the cost or complexity of a larger system.
Supply Chain Management Is the Better Choice When
Your production relies on material formulas, regrind and other valuable by-products. You may also manage several plants and need production, equipment maintenance and shop floor activities in one system.
Dynamics Square compares your products, production processes and number of plants before recommending the right system for your business.
Request a Fit AssessmentHow Dynamics Square Runs Dynamics 365 Implementation for Plastics Manufacturers
Microsoft's Success by Design approach guides Dynamics Square's implementation process. Early workshops define how materials and scrap are recorded because these details affect production costs and reports.
Step 1: Discover
Dynamics Square studies your material receiving, dryers, presses and regrind areas. The team records how your plant manages raw materials, tooling and production waste.
1
2
Step 2: Initiate
Dynamics Square confirms the project scope and selects the right ERP system. The team also assigns responsibility for product, formula and tooling records.
Step 3: Implement
Dynamics Square configures materials, batch tracking, production steps, scrap codes and costing. The team then imports product, supplier and outstanding order records.
3
4
Step 4: Prepare
Your team tests real production jobs from resin receipt to finished goods shipment. Supervisors and operators receive training, and resin batch tracking is tested using your own data.
Step 5: Operate
Dynamics Square supports your team after launch during new tooling installations, material changes and customer audits. This helps keep production records accurate as your operations change.
5
Dynamics 365 for Plastics Manufacturing Pricing
Microsoft charges per user each month, and the cards show the most recent US list prices. Partner apps for scales, barcode labels, or mold monitoring, along with the mix of full and occasional users, shift the final figure.
Dynamics 365 Business Central
Essentials
From $80/user/month
It covers finance, sales, purchasing, and stock, with lot tracking on items.
Premium
From $110/user/month
It adds production orders, BOMs, routings, MRP, and Quality Management for the plant floor.
Team Members
From $8/user/month
It is a light license for people who check data, approve requests, or enter small updates.
Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management
Standard
From $210/user/month
It brings formulas, master planning, quality orders, and asset management.
Premium
From $300/user/month
It is everything in Standard with added analytics and financial planning.
Plastics ERP implementation costs in the USA include more than software licenses. A single plant using Business Central generally needs a simpler rollout, while Supply Chain Management across several plants requires more work to transfer and configure material formulas, product records and equipment maintenance data.
Price My Plastics ERP ProjectWhy Plastics Manufacturers Choose Dynamics Square
Proven Manufacturing Track Record
60+ Manufacturing implementations and 35+ manufacturing and supply chain consultants bring practical experience to your ERP project.
Understanding Your Shop Floor
Dynamics Square starts by understanding how your plant handles resin, material changes, regrind and tooling. These details help shape an ERP system around your actual production processes.
A Clear Product Recommendation
You receive one recommendation between Business Central and Supply Chain Management, with clear reasons based on your production needs and business complexity.
Consultants Certified on Both Products
Our consultants hold Microsoft certifications across both products. Their recommendations draw on practical experience configuring each system for different manufacturing requirements.
Support Beyond Go Live
Dynamics Square supports your team through new product launches, material substitutions, tooling changes and customer audits.
Customers expect delivered parts to match their orders and specifications. Dynamics Square helps your team maintain accurate production records and meet those expectations.
Yes, Business Central suits injection molders, extruders and thermoformers that make defined products across a few plants. Compounders, formula-based processors and manufacturers managing several plants may benefit more from Supply Chain Management's advanced production and maintenance capabilities.
Yes, Business Central uses lot numbers to track resin from receipt through production and shipment. Its Item Tracing feature helps teams identify which production orders used a specific resin lot and trace the resulting products through inventory and sales records.
Business Central uses scrap allowances in bills of materials and production routings to account for expected material loss. Production records can capture actual scrap separately from good output, with reason codes where configured. This helps manufacturers compare planned waste with actual production losses.
Yes, Business Central supports production scheduling through work centers, machine centers, capacity calendars and routings. Manufacturers can assign production operations to specific machines and plan available capacity. Mold details, such as cavity counts and shot counters, may require additional configuration or a partner solution.
Business Central can support incoming resin inspections through an appropriate Quality Management solution or extension. Teams can record inspection results and check resin certificates before releasing material for production. Inspection triggers and restrictions on material use depend on the solution and its configuration.
Know Where Every Pound of Resin Went
Give your team the lot traceability, scrap visibility, and costing accuracy that protect margin on every job.