LyondellBasell’s low density polyethylene (LDPE) resins are thermoplastics made from the polymerization of ethylene in autoclave or tubular reactors at very high pressures. Unlike low-pressure polymerization technologies, high-pressure polymerization allows the co-polymerization of ethylene with polar comonomers, such as vinyl acetate or butyl acrylate. The polymer is characterized by a highly-branched polymer structure.
The ability to manufacture products on high-pressure autoclave and tubular reactors creates a very broad product portfolio for versatile film applications. Grades for use in extrusion coating, injection molding, blow molding, sheet and profile extrusion as well as other applications are also available.
Benefits and Applications
LDPE is used in a wide range of customer applications, including:
- Packaging film and bags for foodstuff and sanitary articles
- Agricultural film
- Surface protection film and lamination film
- Shrink and stretch hood film
- Bags
- Bottles and tubes
- Sheet
- Healthcare applications
- Extrusion coating
- Lids, caps and closures
- Wire & cable
Properties
- Density < 0.935 g/cm³
- Superior flexibility
- Low melting point
- High melt strength in combination with relatively low melt viscosity
- Excellent processability
- Low gel levels
- Good transparency
Technical Information
Customers looking for safety and technical data for
LDPE grades manufactured outside of North America can find this information on our polymers site, where you may register as a new customer or login to access MSDS and RAPIDS documents. From our polymers site, you also may access the
e-commerce platforms, Connect and Marketplace.
Safety and technical information for
Equistar's LDPE grades manufactured in North America can be found by clicking the Technical Information link within the left navigation menu on this page. In this section, you may also login to
CustomerXPRESS to purchase products or obtain account information.