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Which products are commonly made from low-density polyethylene?
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major industrial polymers
Figure 1: The linear form of polyethylene, known as high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a flexible, partially crystalline material characterized by its branched molecular structure. Because of these properties, it is commonly used in a variety of consumer and industrial applications, including:
- Packaging film
- Trash and grocery bags
- Agricultural mulch
- Wire and cable insulation
- Squeeze bottles
- Toys
- Housewares12
LDPE is part of the broader family of polyethylene resins, which are the most widely used plastics globally. While LDPE is valued for its flexibility, it is distinct from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which is a denser, more crystalline material typically used for more rigid products like milk jugs and household cleaner bottles.312