WHAT IS IT?
Polyethylene (PE) is the world's most produced plastic, made by polymerising ethylene (CH₂=CH₂). Three main commercial grades exist with very different properties, all produced from the same monomer but through different processes and catalyst systems.
THREE MAIN GRADES
HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)
Density: 0.941–0.965 g/cm³
High crystallinity, stiff, strong
Uses: pipes, water tanks, bottles (milk, detergent), jerry cans, crates
Largest volume of the three
LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene)
Density: 0.910–0.925 g/cm³
Produced by high-pressure process
Flexible, transparent, tough
Uses: carrier bags, shrink film, squeeze bottles, agricultural film
LLDPE (Linear Low Density Polyethylene)
Density: 0.915–0.935 g/cm³
Better tensile strength and puncture resistance than LDPE
Displacing LDPE in many film applications
Uses: stretch film, agricultural mulch film, flexible packaging
KEY END USES SUMMARY
Film (LDPE, LLDPE): shopping bags, food wrap, silage film
Pipe (HDPE): water supply, gas distribution, irrigation
Blow moulding (HDPE): bottles, fuel tanks, drums
Injection moulding (HDPE): crates, caps, toys
TRADE CORRIDORS
Major exporters: Middle East (Saudi Arabia, UAE — large integrated crackers), South Korea, USA
Major buyers: China, Southeast Asia, Africa, India
Tetra relevance: Middle East/South Korea → SEA/East Africa. Agricultural films and water pipes are strong East Africa demand drivers.
PRICING
CFR Southeast Asia and CFR China assessments. Moves with ethylene (naphtha cracker output) and crude oil.
KEY SPECIFICATIONS
Melt Flow Index: defines processing method and application
Density: core differentiator between grades
Tensile strength, elongation at break
Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR) for HDPE