In 1931 American chemical engineer Samuel Kistler invented the lightest known solid--an aerogel--by drying a form of silicon dioxide (a raw material for glass) under intense pressure and high temperature.

FORBES: Magazine Article

The company has tweaked the chemical and atomic composition of the raw materials of the glass, which in turn has increased its density -- making it much more scratch and dent resistant than last years model.

ENGADGET: Corning demonstrates how strong its Gorilla Glass 3 really is (video)

With glass as well as plastic in mind you might want to look into another raw material, soda ash.

FORBES: Magazine Article

The raw material is converted into soda ash, used in detergents and pharmaceuticals and in the manufacturing of glass.

BBC: Working Lives Kenya: Chemist