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linear low-density polyethylene

chemistry
Also known as: LLDPE

Quick Summary

Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) is a type of polyethylene, which is a versatile synthetic resin made from the polymerization of ethylene. Ethylene is a hydrocarbon derived from natural gas or petroleum. LLDPE has a linear backbone with short, uniform branches. These branches prevent the polymer chains from packing too closely together, similar to low-density polyethylene (LDPE).12

LLDPE is produced by copolymerizing ethylene with other monomers like 1-butene, 1-hexene, and 1-octene, using catalysts such as Ziegler-Natta or metallocene catalysts. The polymerization conditions for LLDPE are less energy-intensive than for LDPE, and its properties can be adjusted by varying the type and amount of comonomers used. LLDPE shares many properties with LDPE and competes in similar markets.21

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