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Low density polyethylene also known as LDPE is a type of thermoplastic made from polymer polyethylene. In Malaysia and Singapore, it is very common to find LDPE and HDPE products from commercial to industrial applications. From your everyday food packaging to the cable insulators at home, many are in fact made from these plastics.

 

The LDPE shares many similarities with the HDPE, which is a high-density polyethylene – also a type of thermoplastic. Despite the similarity in properties as well as application, these two plastics also have vast differences which we’ll explore further.

Similarities in LDPE and HDPE

 

The biggest similarity as to why many choose to use LDPE and HDPE is due to their high versatility, cost-efficiency as well as their high resistance to many solvents. Both the LDPE and HDPE are easily manufactured and widely available, thus making it a very affordable option. Another similarity in the two plastics are their lightweight properties which is why most containers and plastic bags are made from either LDPE or HDPE.

These plastics are also classified as thermoplastics, meaning they soften when heated and harden when cooled; thus, these plastics can be reused again to form other products.

 

To summarise, both plastics are:
1) Cost-efficient

2) Versatile with multiple application

3) High resistance to solvents (Chemicals, alkalis, alcohol etc.)

4) Wide available and easily manufactured

5) Lightweight

6) Thermoplastics

7) Recyclable

 

Difference in LDPE and HDPE

 

As mentioned previously, despite the similarities, both plastics are also unique in their own way. Structure wise, the HDPE is linear as compared to the LDPE which has more branches, meaning the LDPE is more flexible whilst the HDPE is more rigid. When it comes to temperature, the LDPE has a lower melting point of 115°C while the HDPE has a melting point of 135°C.

 

LDPE also has a more transparent appearance while the HDPE has more opacity due to its dense structure. Albeit both plastics are recyclable, the HDPE has a resin code of 2 and LDPE is 4 which means that the HDPE is easier to recycle as compared to the LDPE.

 

To sum up, the differences in both plastics are:

1) Structure – LDPE has more branches while HDPE is linear
2) Strength – LDPE is more flexible with lower tensile strength
3) Melting temperature – LDPE has a lower melting point
4) Transparency – LDPE is more transparent while HDPE has higher opacity
5) Recyclability & reusability – LDPE is harder to recycle as compared to HDPE

 

Benefits of LDPE plastic

Having a less dense structure does not necessarily mean that the LDPE is at a disadvantage when compared to the HDPE. With the advantage of flexibility, many prefer to use LDPE to manufacture cable insulators, stretch films, snap-on lids and plastic bags. Many of the similarities shared between the two thermoplastics are in fact the benefits of these materials as well. The LDPE has a high resistance to solvents, it is a good insulator for electricity, it is waterproof, recyclable, affordable, resistant to impact, and is lightweight.

 

With all these properties, the LDPE is applicable for a variety of products, making it a versatile material to work with. It also adds to the advantage that the material is easy to manufacture and can be processed using blow moulding, injection moulding and extrusion.

 

Examples of LDPE products

 

With its versatility, one can find Low Density Polyethylene products anywhere from Malaysia factories, offices and even in everyday items at home.

Industrial

1) Waterproof Carton Lining – Due to its waterproof properties, LDPE is used to line drink cartons from milk to juices.

 

2) Shrink Wrap – Being fairly durable with the advantage of flexibility, many shrink wraps are made from LDPE which is widely used to secure heavy cargo in logistics and manufacturing industries.

 

Commercial

1) Plastic bags – The most common use of LDPE is to manufacture plastic bags due to its durability, lightweight, transparency and cost-efficiency

 

2) Food Wrap – LDPE is certified FDA approved to be food safe. Many transparent plastic bags you find in supermarkets for vegetables and fruits are actually made from LDPE.

 

3) Garbage Bags – Recycled LDPE can be reheated and formed into garbage bags to be reused again.

 

Is LDPE right for my company?

With a myriad of uses, there are endless possibilities when it comes to manipulating and processing LDPE. However, before manufacturing any product, we have to ascertain if the material is the right one based on its properties, cost and if your business have the means to store and work with this material.

What better way than to speak with a Low Density Polyethylene Malaysia and Singapore supplier and manufacturer? Impact Rank is the leading LDPE company in Singapore that supplies a wide range of LDPE products. From LDPE plastic bags in Singapore to other specialised LDPE products like anti-static packaging and agriculture mulch film.

What sets us apart from other LDPE plastic bags manufacturers in Singapore is our expert knowledge in application of plastics in niche industries. We’ve worked with a variety of industries from Aerospace, Agriculture, Automation Packing, Automotives, Cargo, Construction, F&B, Furniture, Hard Disk Drives, Logistics and Military.

 

Looking for a trustworthy supplier for Low Density Polyethylene packaging in Malaysia or Singapore? Look no further! Speak to our industry specialists today to get the best insights, knowledge, service and deals – all catered to your needs.