Polyethylene (LDPE)
The original polyethylene grade — a flexible, highly clear film-forming resin behind packaging bags, shrink film, squeeze bottles and wire coating.
Chelora Chemicals supplies LDPE resin in pellet form to film, packaging and extrusion converters worldwide, with full documentation and consistent melt-index grades.
Product identity
- CAS Number
- 9002-88-4
- Polymer type
- Polyolefin (homopolymer)
- Repeat unit
- -[CH₂-CH₂]-
- Density
- 0.910-0.940 g/cm³
- Melting point
- 105-115 °C
- Form supplied
- Pellets / granules
- UN Number
- Not regulated*
- HS Code
- 3901 10
* LDPE resin pellets are not classified as dangerous goods for transport; fine powder or dust may present a combustible-dust hazard. Confirm with your regulatory affairs team.
What LDPE is used for
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is a translucent to opaque, flexible thermoplastic resin supplied as pellets or granules, the first commercial grade of polyethylene. It is produced by the high-pressure, free-radical polymerisation of ethylene, which builds a highly branched chain structure that gives LDPE its characteristic flexibility, clarity and low density.
LDPE's largest use is in blown and cast film — packaging bags, shrink and stretch film, agricultural film and liners — valued for its clarity, sealability and toughness. It is also extruded as wire and cable insulation, moulded into squeeze bottles and caps, and used as an extrusion coating on paper and board (milk cartons, paper cups) and as a blending resin to modify other polyethylene grades.
Where it sits in the petrochemical value chain
- Ethylene the monomer, polymerised under high pressure into LDPE. See that page.
- Low Density Polyethylene (this product) the branched-chain film and coating resin.
- LLDPE / HDPE related polyethylene grades made by lower-pressure, catalytic routes for different stiffness and strength profiles. See LLDPE and HDPE.
Handling character
LDPE resin pellets are not classified as hazardous under normal handling, though fine powder or dust presents a combustible-dust risk. Full handling detail is in the Safety section below.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to translucent pellets |
| Melt flow index (MFI) | 0.2-20 g/10min (grade dependent) |
| Density | 0.910-0.925 g/cm³ (typical film grade) |
| Additive package | As agreed (antioxidant, slip, anti-block, UV, etc.) |
Important: the figures above are indicative of commercial material and are offered for planning only. The batch certificate of analysis is the governing document.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Physical state | Solid, flexible pellets/granules |
| Melting point | 105-115 °C |
| Density | 0.910-0.940 g/cm³ |
| Crystallinity | ~45-55% (highly branched) |
| Tensile strength | ~10-20 MPa (grade dependent) |
| Flammability | Combustible solid; fine dust can form explosive mixtures with air |
Physical constants compiled from public reference data for CAS 9002-88-4 and rounded for readability. Treat them as orientation, not as a specification.
Where our customers put LDPE to work
The flexible, film-forming resin behind packaging bags, coatings and wire insulation.
Blown & cast film
Packaging bags, shrink film, stretch film and agricultural/liner film valued for clarity and toughness.
- Film-grade specification
- Bag & bulk-bag supply
- Technical desk review on request
Extrusion coating
Coating resin for paper and board — milk cartons, paper cups and laminated packaging.
- Coating-grade specification
- Documented batch traceability
- Contract & spot supply
Wire & cable insulation
Extruded as primary insulation and jacketing for low-voltage wire and cable.
- Full analytical documentation available
- Retained sample held against the lot
Squeeze bottles & caps
Blow- and injection-moulded into flexible squeeze bottles, closures and dispensing caps.
- Documented batch traceability
- Technical desk review on request
Blending & modification
Blended with LLDPE and HDPE to adjust film clarity, sealability and processability.
- Research & process-scale quantities
- Full documentation supplied
Contract & scheduled supply
Film and converting plants running continuous consumption are supported with scheduled bulk delivery.
- Annual contracts with scheduled call-off
- Price held across the contract period
- Second source held in reserve
How we supply Polyethylene (LDPE)
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and sourcing partner, not a manufacturer. Melt-index consistency and additive packages are critical to film and coating line performance — that shapes how we manage this line.
We place your order with whichever qualified producer best matches your required grade, your price point and your delivery window, and confirm your jurisdiction's import requirements before booking.
We keep a second qualified source on this line, so a single-plant disruption never becomes your production problem.
- Melt index and density confirmed before we quote. Consistency matters to downstream film, coating and moulding performance.
- Food-contact and additive compliance documented. Grade-specific compliance paperwork confirmed before booking where required.
- Scheduled call-off scheduling. We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your consumption calendar.
- Batch traceability to the producing plant. Full chain of custody documentation on request.
- Export machinery handled in-house. Classification, approved packing, labelling, freight booking and customs paperwork are ours to manage.
- Film, coating and moulding grades all sourced. Matched precisely to your extrusion or moulding specification.
Packed the way your plant receives it
Bag, bulk bag or silo delivery — tell us your preferred format and we will quote and arrange it.
Multi-wall paper or PE bags
Palletised 25 kg bags for smaller-volume orders and trial quantities.
~1,000 kg bulk bags
Flexible intermediate bulk containers sized for mid-volume converter orders.
Large-volume bulk shipment
Pneumatic bulk delivery for continuous-consumption film and extrusion plants.
Incoterms to suit you
Quoted on the Incoterm your purchasing team works to, with documentation filed before booking.
Trial / sample quantities
Small packs dispatched for process trials before a commercial order is placed.
Contracted call-off supply
We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your consumption calendar.
Non-hazardous solid resin — handle sensibly
LDPE pellets are not classified as hazardous under GHS for normal handling, but combustible-dust and molten-polymer precautions still apply during processing. The summary below is orientation only — the safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch is the authoritative document.
Classified hazards
Not classifiedPellets/granules are not classified as hazardous under GHS.Dust noteFine powder or dust may form combustible mixtures with air and should be controlled accordingly.
Keep fines and dust controlled. Processing (grinding, pneumatic conveying) can generate fine particulate; manage static and ignition sources accordingly. Always read the SDS issued with your specific batch.
Storage
Store bagged or bulk resin in a dry, covered area away from direct sunlight and heat sources to avoid premature oxidation and discolouration.
Handling
Standard PPE (gloves, dust protection where fines are generated) is sufficient for normal handling. Observe hot-surface precautions during extrusion, moulding or welding of the molten polymer.
Transport
Not classified as dangerous goods for transport in pellet/granule form. We confirm any destination-specific import or food-contact documentation your shipment requires.
Every batch, documented
We verify documentation before dispatch so there are no surprises at your incoming-goods bench.
Specification agreed
Melt index, density and additive package confirmed against your process requirement before order placement.
Producer batch testing
The producing plant tests each batch against the agreed specification before release.
Documentation review
COA, SDS and transport/food-contact paperwork checked by our desk before the shipment is booked.
Traceable dispatch
Each shipment is traceable to its producing batch, with full chain-of-custody records on request.
How LDPE is made
LDPE is produced industrially by the high-pressure (1,000-3,000 bar), high-temperature free-radical polymerisation of ethylene in autoclave or tubular reactors. The radical mechanism causes frequent chain branching, giving LDPE its characteristic low crystallinity, flexibility and optical clarity compared with the linear chains of LLDPE and HDPE.
We do not publish operating process parameters here; this is background only. Full technical documentation accompanies every shipment, and any process-specific detail you need is best confirmed directly with our technical desk.
| Polymer family | Polyolefin (branched-chain polyethylene) |
|---|---|
| Production route | High-pressure free-radical polymerisation |
| Key properties | Flexibility, optical clarity, low density, good sealability |
| Related compounds | Ethylene (monomer), LLDPE, HDPE (related grades) |
Explore the wider petrochemical range
Polyethylene (LDPE), answered
What is LDPE used for?
How is LDPE made?
Is LDPE hazardous?
What grade do you supply?
What packing do you offer?
Do you manufacture this yourself?
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