The Benefits of LDPE (Low-density Polyethylene) For Packaging

How do you keep a product fresh, clean, and safe, over miles of distance and through intense temperatures? This question drove scientists, food producers, and logistics experts to great lengths to find a reliable packaging solution.

Brief History of Polyethylene

Discovered in 1933, polyethylene was fast-tracked to major production. The first polyethylene production plant came online 6 years later in 1939, just in time for the start of World War II. From the start it was a game changer for a multitude of industries and polyethylene proved invaluable in the war effort.

Early polyethylene was not as versatile as its modern counterparts. Over the decades, new and ingenious improvements have developed it into a host of specialized products for different needs. The development of Low-Density Polyethylene (abbreviated to LDPE) and others revolutionized the food packaging industry. Today, polyethylene is the most common polymer in the world and is the backbone of our food supply chain.

Markets that Benefit from LDPE Packaging

LDPE is an attractive option for food storage. It is odorless, sterile, watertight, and maintains its structural integrity while also being flexible. It can be produced to handle freezing temperatures that are necessary for food preservation. It can easily be printed on for branding and labeling purposes. Additionally, it can be reused and recycled with relative ease, it can even be made biodegradable with the proper additives.

LDPE sheeting is also used for weather proofing and protecting untreated wood outdoors. With additives, LDPE can be used as an anti-static barrier for sensitive electronic components. The value of LDPE is in its economical price, and extremely flexible utility.