Applications and Benefits of Polyethylene

What is Polyethylene

Polyethylene è one of the most common plastic materials. It is used in many industrial and non-industrial purposes. Chemically, it is a is a polymerisation compound of ethylene. It is technically called thermoplastic polymer as, during high-temperature industrial processes, it gradually softens until it turns fluid.

In its most common form, it appears as a white or transparent solid, non-toxic, with high mechanical resistance and great chemical stability. These features make it suitable to realize finished products in various fields: food containers, packagings, tools, toys and other.

Food-contact approved polyethylene

Polyethylene is one of the few food-contact approved materials according the current Italian legislation. In fact, it meets all the requirements of the D.M 21/3/73 as amended and supplemented - Hygienic Discipline of Packaging, Containers, Tools Destined to Contact with Food or Personal Use Substances.

• Unvaried organoleptic qualities of food,
• Unaltered chemical composition of the food it comes in contact,
• Absolute harmlessness to human health.

For these reason, Polyethylene is used to realize the inner coating of the popular packaging for food and drink, bottles, jars, films and bags to store or freeze food, and kitchen tools.

Moreover, as it's characterized by smooth and easy to wash surfaces, polyethylene is used to manufacture containers and pipes to store and transport drinking water. These polyethylene items often prove to have the features to be more suitable than their inox or other materials equivalent:

• Lightweight and ease to carry around and place,
• No welding, reducing the risk of leaks and assuring a greater hygienic safety,
• Less subjection to contamination by mould or algae; 
• Cost-effectiveness

A particular area of use of polyethylene tanks are boats and campers because they allow you to have a supply of water always clean even during longer trips.

Polyethylene furnishing

Polyethylene is a very light material, resistant to water, chemicals, and temperature changes. Once worked, it has a washable surface, UV resistant, and easy to maintain.

In its original shape it can be more or less transparent depending on the density, until it becomes white, with a neutral appearance that can be suitable for making outdoor furniture such as folding or stackable tables and chairs.

In addition, during the transformation process it can be easily colored by adding a pigment, so as to give any color to the product, to create more refined and trendy design accessories such as armchairs, vases and lamps.

Polyethylene in the industries

Its abrasion resistance makes it the most appropriate material for the realization of construction tools such as discharge-debris pipes and accessories for manual material handling.

For this reason it is widely used to produce tools for the mechanical, manufacturing and construction sectors such as boxes and containers, industrial coatings, sliding elements.

[Photo cover: polyethylene grains]