Overview
Polyethylene (PE) packaging is a thermoplastic polymer derived from ethylene monomers, available in low-density (LDPE) and high-density (HDPE) forms. It dominates the packaging industry due to its adaptability, ranging from thin films for bags to rigid containers. Its production via polymerization allows customization of properties like flexibility and tensile strength. Globally, PE accounts for ~34% of plastic packaging demand, driven by its balance of performance and affordability. Innovations like linear low-density PE (LLDPE) enhance puncture resistance, expanding its use in heavy-duty applications. Sustainability concerns have spurred bio-based PE and recycling initiatives.
Physical and Chemical Properties
PE packaging exhibits excellent moisture barrier properties, with water vapor transmission rates below 1.5 g·mm/m²/day. Its chemical inertness resists acids, alkalis, and alcohols, though it swells in chlorinated solvents. LDPE offers higher flexibility (elongation up to 600%) versus HDPE’s rigidity (tensile strength ~30 MPa). Thermal properties vary: LDPE softens at ~80°C, while HDPE withstands up to 120°C. Both types are electrically insulating, with volume resistivity >10¹⁶ Ω·cm. UV degradation can occur unless stabilized with additives like carbon black.
Main Applications
In food packaging, PE films preserve freshness in produce and baked goods, often combined with additives for oxygen barrier enhancement. HDPE bottles are preferred for milk and detergents due to their stiffness and recyclability (Resin ID #2). Industrial uses include stretch wrap for pallet stabilization and geomembranes for landfill liners. Medical-grade PE meets ISO 10993 standards for tubing and sterile packaging. Agricultural films (e.g., greenhouse covers) leverage PE’s light diffusion properties.
Safety and Storage
PE is non-toxic in solid form, FDA-approved for direct food contact when uncontaminated. Combustion risks include toxic carbon monoxide and formaldehyde emissions—store away from ignition sources. Occupational exposure limits for ethylene (monomer) are 200 ppm (8-hour TWA). Storage recommendations include avoiding temperatures above 50°C to prevent deformation. UV-sensitive grades require opaque wrapping or indoor storage. Bulk rolls should be stacked horizontally to prevent deformation.
B2B Procurement Guide
Buyers should specify melt flow index (MFI) values (e.g., 0.3–50 g/10 min) to match processing methods like blow molding or extrusion. For sustainability, request post-consumer recycled (PCR) content certifications (e.g., UL 2809). Regional standards vary: EU requires REACH compliance, while USDA mandates specific formulations for meat packaging. MOQ for bulk orders typically starts at 1 metric ton, with price breaks at 10+ tons. Sample testing for seal strength (ASTM F88) and thickness tolerance (±5%) is advised.
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：试剂瓶、铝箔封口垫片、口服液体瓶、聚丙烯瓶、液体聚酯瓶、固体聚酯瓶、棕色试剂瓶、食品罐、广口塑料瓶、血清瓶、农药瓶、蛋白粉桶
- 主营：鸡蛋托、内衬定做、珍珠棉定制、吸塑包装、泡沫包装、内衬包装、包装材料、eva内衬包装、化妆品内托包装、蛋托包装、包装盒植绒、珍珠棉蛋托、EPE植绒内衬、珍珠棉、植绒eva内衬、EPE泡沫棉、珍珠棉护垫、防震泡沫棉、珍珠棉植绒、珍珠棉护角、珍珠棉水果托、EVA内衬、EPE箱子内衬、防静电泡沫板、海绵内衬
- 主营：泡棉条、密封胶、泡沫条、聚乙烯棒、聚硫灌封胶、聚氨酯弹性胶、聚乙烯发泡板、高压聚乙烯板、防水聚氨酯胶、聚氨酯防水胶、聚氨酯结构胶、聚乙烯闭孔泡条、泡沫棒、泡沫板、塑料棒、密封膏、塑料板、填缝材料、玻璃垫棒、膨胀止水胶、非下垂灌封胶、自流平灌封胶、高弹性防水胶、桥梁泡沫止浆棒、闭孔泡沫填缝条
- 主营：中空板、蜂窝版、围箱板、塑料包装箱、周转箱、PP中空板、PP蜂窝板、中空板围板箱、中空板周转箱、蜂窝板围板箱、折叠周转箱、塑料中空板、中转物流箱、工业塑料周转箱、平底折叠物流箱、折叠箱、可折叠周转箱、塑料中空箱、瓦楞盒、飞机盒、塑胶周转箱、中空板刀卡、电子产品物流箱、果蔬周转箱、塑料围板箱
- 主营：PP、PE、ABS、聚乙烯、POM、PC、POE、EVA、德国朗盛、美国杜邦、日本宝理pom、韩国LG、奇美abs、pom900p、工程塑料、PPO、TPU、PET
- 主营：防草布、保护膜、PE保护膜、包装膜、各行业工业用保护膜、园艺地布、铝合金门窗保护膜、除草布、PP防草布、PE防草布、地钉、果园大棚农用防草布、型材保护膜、不锈钢板保护膜、铝板保护膜
- 主营：pp阻燃母粒、pe开口母粒、塑料增亮剂、聚丙烯降温母粒、塑料防雾剂、防雾滴母料、防静电母粒、塑胶增光剂、塑料增光剂、增光增亮剂、pe薄膜阻燃剂、塑料除味剂、抗静电母粒、塑料开口母料、PP降温母粒、气相防锈母粒、塑料润滑光亮剂、塑料防锈母粒、增韧母料、防老化母料、爽滑开口母粒、橡胶增光剂、pe阻燃母粒、abs阻燃母粒
- 主营：PP、POM、PC、聚乙烯、LDPE、LLDPE、HDPE、ABS、EVA、POE、埃克森美孚、韩国工程、日本宝理、韩国LG、乐天化学、台塑、燕山石化、奇美ABS、日本旭化成、美国陶氏、韩华道达尔、韩国SK、韩国晓星、中天合创、独山子石化
- 主营：超大宽幅阻隔膜、铝塑复合膜、铝塑膜内衬袋、聚乙烯包装膜、盒中袋、无菌袋、PE膜
- 主营：硬脂酸、石蜡、防老剂4010、聚乙二醇、聚异丁烯、对苯二甲酸二甲酯、乙酰柠檬酸三丁酯ATBC、间苯二甲酸、己二酸、三羟甲基丙烷、新戊二醇、精甘油
- 主营：EPE珍珠棉、珍珠棉卷材、珍珠棉板材、EPE包装材料、珍珠棉袋子、珍珠棉型材、防静电珍珠棉、气泡膜卷材、气泡膜袋子、气泡膜片材、防静电气泡膜、吨袋、吨包、集装袋、吨包袋、太空袋、中空板周转箱、防静电中空板
- 主营：聚乙烯、塑胶原料
- 主营：pet卷料、pet片材、pet定制、包装材料、pet材料、pet卷科、黑色pet、岩铭pet、透明pet、pet薄膜、印刷pet、专用pet、pvc胶片、铭pet印刷、吸塑托盘、耳机胶盒、玩具吸塑、定制印刷、胶盒定制、铭pet胶片、岩铭胶盒、岩铭塑胶、塑料胶片、玩具托盘、岩铭吸塑
- 主营：呼吸袋、灭菌袋、投料袋、低密度聚乙烯袋、LDPE袋、高温蒸汽灭菌袋、抗静电袋、灭菌呼吸袋、呼吸袋封口机、药用灭菌袋、特卫强袋
- 主营：保水剂、酸度调节剂、表面活性剂、聚乙烯、食品添加剂