What is polyethylene film?

Polyethylene film is a plastic film made from ethylene, a hydrocarbon which is mainly obtained from natural gas or petroleum. The terms ‘plastic sheeting’, ‘polyethylene sheet’, ‘poly sheeting’ or ‘poly film’ are often used as synonyms for polyethylene film.

The term polyethylene is abbreviated as ‘PE’, the same way polystyrene and polypropylene are abbreviated as ‘PS’ and ‘PP’ respectively. In the United Kingdom, the word ‘polythene’ is often used instead of ‘polyethylene’.

What types of polyethylene film are there?

Polyethylene film can be made of different types of polyethylene. The most sold types of polyethylene are:

• Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE).
• High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE).
• Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE).

Polyethylene film can also be manufactured in different colours or be transparent. In addition, it can be purchased in different thicknesses.

Use of HDPE films

• a semi-finished product for the production of other products (bags, sheets, in-liner in boxes)
• suitable for the production of covering sheets
• suitable for food packaging, especially meat and meat products (more resistant to fat acids)
• a separation layer in the production of bitumen belts (due to their higher heat resistance and minimal shrinkability).

Polyethylene and the environment

As already mentioned, polyethylene film is made from ethylene, a hydrocarbon that is mainly obtained from petroleum or natural gas. However, it is important to note that ethylene can also be produced from renewable sources.

Although polyethylene biodegrades naturally, it can take a very long time (decades) until this happens. Several methods have been developed to accelerate its biodegradation. One of them consists in modifying the carbon chain of polyethylene with the help of an additive. This process improves the level of degradability and, as a result, the biodegradability of polyethylene. Another method consists in manufacturing film using a biodegradable substance that possesses similar properties to polyethylene (e.g. starch).

HDPE Film

HDPE film grade is used in the production of thin, flexible films. Films made from HDPE film grade are typically produced using the extrusion process, which involves melting the HDPE film grade resin and forcing it through a die to create a continuous sheet of plastic. The sheet of plastic is then cooled and rolled onto a spool or reel for further processing or storage. HDPE film grade is used in a variety of applications, including:

• Packaging : HDPE film grade is commonly used to create packaging materials, such as bags, wraps, and sheets.
• Agriculture : HDPE film grade is used to create mulch films, which are placed over soil to retain moisture and prevent weeds from growing. It is also used to create greenhouse films, which are used to cover greenhouses to create a controlled environment for plant growth.
• Construction : HDPE film grade is used in the production of construction materials, such as vapor barriers and moisture barriers.
• Consumer goods : HDPE film grade is used in the production of a wide range of consumer goods, such as trash bags, sandbags, and shopping bags.