Abstract: New plastic articles are disclosed and claimed having flame retardant properties which contain a core of a plastic polymeric material (thermoplastic, thermoset, rigid foam or semi-flexible foam polymeric material) which is coated with a protective, flame retardant layer comprising a mixture of a thermoplastic polymeric material and a flame retardant, char-forming, intumescent system. The new articles are suitable for the manufacture of e.g. rods, beams, pipes, hoses, non-tubular profiles and panels which are useful in various industries such as the building, automotive and mining industries.