Films
Cling film, carrier bags, agricultural film and industrial wrapping film.
AI
Polyethylene (PE)
Polyethylene is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic from the polyolefin family – as LDPE for example in films and coatings, as HDPE in bottles, jerry cans, crates and pipes.
PE at a glance
Guide values from manufacturer data sheets and technical literature. They vary by grade, additives and manufacturer – the data sheet of the individual material is decisive. The identification number under Decision 97/129/EC is a voluntary identification system for packaging materials.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Monomer unit | –[CH₂–CH₂]– from ethylene |
| Identification number (Decision 97/129/EC) | 2 HDPE · 4 LDPE |
| Density | LDPE approx. 0.91–0.94 g/cm³ · HDPE approx. 0.94–0.97 g/cm³ |
| Crystalline melting range | LDPE approx. 105–115 °C · HDPE approx. 125–140 °C |
| Structure | semi-crystalline; LDPE branched, HDPE linear |
| Typical processing | blown film extrusion, extrusion (e.g. pipes), extrusion blow moulding, injection moulding, rotational moulding |
| Properties | good chemical resistance, good electrical insulation, practically no water absorption |
Typical applications of PE
Bottles, jerry cans, drums
HDPE for bottles for food, detergents and cosmetics, and for jerry cans and drums, including dangerous goods packaging.
Crates and containers
HDPE for crates and boxes, food containers, housewares and toys.
Pipes
Drinking water, sewage and pressure pipes.
Cables and coatings
LDPE for electrical cable coating, milk carton coatings and heavy-duty industrial bags.
Fuel tanks
HDPE for vehicle fuel tanks.
Recycling of PE
- Sorting: European sorting lines identify plastics with near-infrared (NIR) detectors. With a density below 1 g/cm³, polyolefins can be separated from heavier plastics during reprocessing.
- Odour: Substances from the first use or from microorganisms can cause odours in recyclates and limit their use in odour-sensitive applications.
- Food contact: Regulation (EU) 2022/1616 has so far established two suitable recycling technologies: mechanical PET recycling and recycling from a closed and controlled chain, such as crates used in food retail. Other processes go through the procedure for novel technologies, including an assessment by EFSA. No decision has yet been taken for HDPE from municipal collection; the European Commission therefore does not yet expect recycled HDPE for food contact on the market.
- Recycled content in packaging: The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR) has applied since 12 August 2026. Its Article 7 sets minimum shares of post-consumer recyclate in the plastic part of packaging, calculated per manufacturing plant and year: from 1 January 2030 (or three years after the implementing act on the calculation method, whichever is later) 10 % for contact-sensitive packaging made of plastics other than PET and 35 % for other plastic packaging; from 2040, 25 % and 65 % respectively.
PE recyclates with plastship
plastship is a distributor of recycled plastics. The starting point of every sourcing project is not the material – but your application.
Recyclate supply
We clarify processing, product specification, acceptable variations and regulatory requirements, and on that basis define suitable recyclate qualities, feedstocks and supply concepts.
Laboratory services
Physical, mechanical and optical testing, odour and polymer composition – including melt flow rate (MFR), density, moisture and ash content, tensile testing, Charpy impact strength and the identification of foreign polymers.
Material quality
A structured evaluation makes recyclate quality transparent – as a basis for decisions in application, sourcing and compliance.
plastship Monitored Materials
Quality scoring on a scale from 0 to 10 points across mechanics, optics, odour and polymer purity – with material benchmark and certificate of quality.
Digital material search
Search and compare recyclates by application-specific criteria, with access to quality-relevant material data.
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More polymers
Polypropylene (PP)
Chemical-resistant polyolefin for packaging, fibres and moulded parts.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Durable thermoplastic for profiles, pipes, flooring and cables.
Polystyrene (PS)
Amorphous thermoplastic for packaging, housings and insulation foam.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
Polyester for beverage bottles, packaging, films and fibres.
Polyamide 6 (PA 6)
Engineering plastic for moulded parts, films, fibres and monofilaments.
All polymers
The six polymer pages at a glance.