low-density polyethylene

chemical compound

Also known as: LDPE

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a versatile plastic derived from the polymerization of ethylene. It was first produced in England in 1933 by Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI). LDPE is characterized by a branched molecular structure, which prevents the polymer chains from packing closely together. This results in a flexible material with a melting point of approximately 110°C (230°F).1

LDPE is manufactured under high pressures and temperatures using peroxide initiators. Its primary applications include packaging film, trash and grocery bags, agricultural mulch, wire and cable insulation, squeeze bottles, toys, and housewares. The plastic recycling code for LDPE is #4.1

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polyethylene
Low-density polyethylene
LDPE is prepared from gaseous ethylene under very high pressures (up to about 350 megapascals, or 50,000 pounds per square inch) and high temperatures (up to about 350 °C [660 °F]) in the presence of oxide initiators. These processes yield a polymer structure…
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LDPE is prepared from gaseous ethylene under very high pressures (up to about 350 megapascals, or 50,000 pounds per square inch) and high temperatures (up to about 350 °C [660 °F]) in the presence of oxide initiators. These processes yield a polymer structure…
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chemistry of industrial polymers
Linear, branched, and network
…branch off is known as low-density polyethylene (LDPE); this polymer demonstrates the branched structure, in Figure 1B. The network structure, shown in Figure 1C, is that of phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resin. PF resin is formed when molecules of phenol (C₆H₅OH) are linked by formaldehyde (CH₂O) to form a complex network of…
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…branch off is known as low-density polyethylene (LDPE); this polymer demonstrates the branched structure, in Figure 1B. The network structure, shown in Figure 1C, is that of phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resin. PF resin is formed when molecules of phenol (C₆H₅OH) are linked by formaldehyde (CH₂O) to form a complex network of…
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major industrial polymers
Polyethylene (PE)
Branched versions are known as low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE); the linear versions are known as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).
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Branched versions are known as low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE); the linear versions are known as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).
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