How to Make Polymer in ARK: Survival Evolved

Polymer is one of the most valuable crafting materials in ARK: Survival Evolved. It’s used in building high-tech weapons, advanced tools, and late-game equipment. That’s why every survivor eventually asks the same question — how to make polymer in ARK?

This guide explains everything you need to know about crafting and gathering polymer, the resources required, and the most efficient methods for farming it.

Crafting Polymer in ARK

The easiest and most reliable way to make polymer is by crafting it in the Fabricator.
To unlock the polymer engram, you’ll need to reach level 48. Once unlocked, you can craft it using this simple recipe:

• 2 Obsidian
• 2 Cementing Paste

You’ll find obsidian in dark, shiny rocks — mostly in mountainous or volcanic regions. The Volcano area and high mountain ridges on The Island map are ideal places to gather it.

To make cementing paste, combine chitin or keratin with stone in a Mortar and Pestle or Chemistry Bench:

• 4 Chitin or Keratin
• 8 Stone

Chitin and keratin can be harvested from creatures such as scorpions, spiders, trilobites, or turtles.

Once you have all the materials, open your Fabricator, move the ingredients to the crafting area, and start producing polymer.

Alternative Polymer Crafting Recipe

If you don’t have access to a Fabricator yet, you can craft polymer using a Smithy.
This method requires more resources and time, but it can work early in the game.
The Smithy recipe includes:

• 50 Thatch
• 30 Wood
• 20 Hide
• 100 Stone
• 60 Metal Ingots

Move the resources into the Smithy, open the “Polymer” tab, and start crafting. Although slower, this method can help you progress before unlocking advanced crafting stations.

Gathering Organic Polymer

If you’d rather not craft polymer, you can collect organic polymer directly from certain creatures.
Organic polymer is functionally the same as regular polymer but spoils over time and stacks in groups of 20, so you’ll need to use it quickly.

Best Sources of Organic Polymer

• Kairuku (Penguins): Found in the Snow Biome.
• Mantis: Common in the Scorched Earth and Ragnarok maps, especially in desert regions.
• Hesperornis: Can also drop organic polymer when harvested.

After killing these creatures, use a Hatchet or Chainsaw to harvest more efficiently. You can store organic polymer temporarily in a Preserving Bin to slow spoilage.

Hunting Creatures for Polymer Drops

Another way to gather polymer is through combat. Some creatures drop polymer when killed:

• Karkinos (Aberration, Genesis Part 1)
• Rock Elementals (Ragnarok, Scorched Earth)
• Tek Creatures (Extinction DLC) – They drop electronics, which are useful for advanced crafting.

Hunting these enemies can be challenging, but the rewards often include valuable loot alongside polymer materials.

Best Methods for Polymer Farming

The most efficient way to make polymer depends on your resources and progression:

• Early Game: Gather organic polymer from penguins or mantises.
• Mid-Game: Use the Smithy if you don’t yet have a Fabricator.
• Late Game: Craft large quantities using obsidian and cementing paste in a Fabricator.

If you have access to a Chainsaw or a high-melee dino (like a Direwolf or Sabertooth), use them to dramatically increase your yield from organic sources.

Tips for Efficient Polymer Production

1. Automate when possible: Use an Industrial Grinder to recycle unused items into materials.
2. Plan your storage: Keep organic polymer in a Preserving Bin or Refrigerator to extend shelf life.
3. Farm strategically: Locate obsidian-rich mountains and set up temporary bases nearby.
4. Trade smart: In multiplayer servers, polymer is valuable — barter for materials you need.

FAQs About Polymer in ARK

Q1. Can I use a Chemistry Bench to make polymer?
No. Polymer can only be crafted in a Fabricator or Smithy.

Q2. How do I prevent organic polymer from spoiling?
Store it in a Preserving Bin or Refrigerator to slow spoilage.

Q3. Can I use Tek creatures to get polymer?
Tek creatures drop electronics, which can be used in advanced crafting, but not direct polymer.

Q4. What’s the fastest way to farm polymer?
Use a Chainsaw on Kairuku or Mantis for large amounts of organic polymer.

Conclusion

Learning how to make polymer in ARK is key to progressing in the game. Whether you craft it with obsidian and cementing paste or gather organic polymer from creatures, mastering this resource ensures you’re ready to craft advanced gear, weapons, and structures.

With the right strategy, tools, and preparation, polymer farming becomes an easy and rewarding part of your ARK survival journey.