Low density polyethylene (LDPE) is used mainly in film applications for both packaging and non-packaging uses. Other markets include extrusion coatings, sheathing in cables and injection moulding applications.
LDPE is the oldest and most mature of the polyethylenes with past global growth in consumption only around 2%/year. Most of this growth has been in Asia and driven by China. Two new LDPE plants have been built in Europe and a number of LDPE projects are underway in the Middle East and China.
Two basic processes are available for the production of low density polyethylene: stirred autoclave or tubular routes. The tubular reactor has been gaining preference over the autoclave route due to its higher ethylene conversion rates.
Low density polyethylene is a thermosetting white solid which has highly branched and widely spaced molecular chains. LDPE should not be exposed to flames as it gives off smoke on burning.
Polyethylene (PE) Margin Reports
ICIS pricing’s weekly PE margin reports (Europe and Asia) are designed to complement ICIS's highly regarded pricing data. They assess producer cash costs and cash margins for PE by modelling raw material and key variable manufacturing costs, co-product credits and product yields across the business from feedstock naphtha or ethane through ethylene to PE.
Watch a video about how the margin reports are put together here
Combining ICIS pricing’s benchmark price assessments with feedstock yield models from Linde Engineering the reports provide a clear indication of the direction of business cash costs and cash margins, forming a basis for informed market positioning by sellers, buyers and traders.
Find out more by visiting www.icis.com/margins
Polyethylene low density
Price Reports
ICIS pricing gives you access on a weekly or real time basis to the latest price movements and critical market commentary on the Polyethylene low density market. Click below to see a quarterly market overview.
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Polyethylene low density
Uses and Outlook
Low density polyethylene (LDPE) is used mainly in film applications for both packaging and non-packaging uses. Other markets include extrusion coatings, sheathing in cables and injection moulding applications.
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Polyethylene low density
Process Technologies
High pressure LDPE production was first started in the 1950s and, while this technology has been overshadowed in recent years by its LLDPE rival, processors still appreciate LDPE's good optical and processing qualities.
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