Polyethylene LDPE has a high degree of short and long chain branching. It is one of the most simplest and common polymer. It has, therefore, less trong intermolecular forces as the instantaneous-dipole inducted-dipole attraction is less. This results in a lower tensile strength and increased ductility. LDPE is created by free radical polymerization. The high degree of branching with long chains gives molten LDPE unique and desirable flow properties. LDPE is used for both rigid containers and plastic film applications such as plastic bags and film wrap.
LDPE Polyethylene are the most commonly industrially produced plastics. The various types of polyethylene are labelled according to their density. Low-density polyethylene, i.e. polyethylene with a density of between 0.91 to 0.94 g/cm³, usually referred to as LDPE. LDPE is mainly used for packaging products. Global revenues generated with LDPE amounted to almost US$33 billion in 2013 and the market research expects sales to increase by 1.5% p.a. until 2021.
LDPE is most commonly used for the production of films. About 63% of total demand stem from the production of films, with packaging films accounting for the largest market share in this sector. Bags and sacks as well as other films rank second and third. Other important applications are rigid packaging and construction products. On a global level, the segment construction products offers the largest growth potential of the next few years, thanks to new investments in infrastructure projects. In Asia, on the other hand, it is especially films, LDPE packaging films in particular, that offer the largest growth potential, since Asian countries are increasingly adapting to Western standards for packaged food.
In a global comparison, film extrusion is the most common technology for processing LDPE. Other technologies, namely extrusion coating, injection molding, and other processes like blow molding and rotomolding, account for a market share of only 37%. The various world regions show only minor differences in regard to processing technologies. For example, extrusion coating is disproportionally often used in North America, while Eastern European countries use large amounts of LDPE not only in film extrusion, but also injection molding
Plastic came to the fore during the World War II years, first as an underwater cable coating, then as a critical insulating material for such vital military applications as radar cable. It was not until the end of the war that the plastic was taken off allocation and freed for consumer use. From that point on, its rise in popularity for both consumer and industrial uses was so spectacular that polyethylene became the first plastic in the U.S. to sell more than 1 billion pounds a year. Today, it is still the largest volume plastic in the World. Applications for polyethylene are many and varied, including: packaging films; trash, garment, grocery and shopping bags; molded housewares; toys; containers; pipe; drums; gasoline tanks; coatings and many others. Polyethylene are thermoplastic resins obtained by polymerizing the gas ethylene [C2H4]. Low molecular weight polymers of ethylene are fluids used as lubricants; medium weight polymers are waxes miscible with paraffin; and the high molecular weight polymers (i.e., over 6000) are the materials used in the plastics industry.
Polymers with densities ranging from about .910 to .925 are called low density; those of densities from .926 to .940 are called medium density; and those from .941 to .965 and over are called high density. The low density types are polymerized at very high pressures and temperatures, and the high density types at relatively low temperatures and pressures. A relatively new type called linear low density polyethylene is manufactured through a variety of processes: gas phase, solution, slurry, or high pressure conversion. A high efficiency catalyst system aids in the polymerization of ethylene and allows for lower temperatures and pressures than those required in making conventional low density polyethylene. Copolymers of ethylene with vinyl acetate, ethyl acrylate, and acrylic acid are commercially important.
LDPE polyethylene could be offered in various forms:
– LDPE natural prime
– LDPE regranulated natural color
– LDPE regranulated colored or mixed material with various applications
– LDPE recycled natural, mix colors
Accorting applications, LDPE polyethylene my be devided:
– LDPE film blow molding, melft flow rate (MFI) 0,3-4
– LDPE pipe extrusion
– LDPE injection molding
– LDPE natural, blow molding
JSC “Polygrade” is offering LDPE prime, near to prime and off-grade materials for these leading producers:
– SABIC
– TOTAL
– TVK
– INEOS
– SLOVNAFT