High-Density Polyethene (HDPE) plastic is a low-cost thermoplastic polymer with linear structure and no or low degree of branching. Formed either through the catalytic cracking of crude oil into gasoline or the modifying of natural gases such as methane, ethane, and propane mix, this plastic material is manufactured at a low temperature between 70-300°C as well as a pressure of 10-80 bar.

Amongst the many different plastic materials, they can be classified into seven general types of plastic categories, each manufactured with varying combinations of resins and printed with their respective numberings for identification. The classification of different plastic materials is indicated on most of the bottom of the plastic containers, where there would be arrows rotating in a triangle around a number in the middle. Classified as the number 2 plastic, HDPE is produced mainly using two different techniques.

• Gas-Phase Polymerisation – the polymerisation of monomers in the structure of a fluidised catalyst, polymer particles, and vapourised monomer in a fluidised bed reactor
• Slurry Polymerisation – the polymerisation of monomers in the formation of dispersed monomer particles.

Benefits

• Transparent, cost-effective, lightweight, and extremely strong
• Protect against several elements such as alcohols, dilute acids, dilute alkali, grease, as well as solvents, including water. This plastic material is also corrosion-resistant, allowing it to resist mold, rotting, and mildew. However, it is unable to protect against hydrocarbons such as aromatic, aliphatic, and halogenated.
• They are highly flexible, making them extremely malleable for molding into various shapes and sizes across multiple applications such as food storage containers, milk jugs, detergent bottles, pipes, and many more
• It is industrial-grade, NSF, FDA, and USDA-approved, allowing safe contact with food products.
• This plastic category is highly recyclable regardless of its form; the recycled HDPE plastics are used commonly in the assembling of toy products

Applications

HDPE Plastic Bags are ideal for various industries due to their high resistance feature which makes them the go-to choice for the creating of packaging solutions such as plastic bags, grocery bags, laundry bags, air pillows, garbage bags, and more. The extreme impact strength of this plastic material ensures that the inner composition of products is protected.

Here in Humi Pak, we also provide other forms of packaging solutions for food products. Click here to read up on our blogs to find out more about the different products we offer.