Polyethylene and polypropylene are two of the most common plastics used in the food packaging industry. On the surface they seem very similar, however, they each have certain well-defined characteristics and functions. Do you know the difference between them?
Today we are going to look at the characteristics of each of these polymers to help you understand the 5 differences between polypropylene and polyethylene food packaging.
When we talked about plastics identification codes, we explained that polyethylene is classified as number 2 &#; HDPE: High&#;density polyethylene &#; and number 4 &#; LDPE: Low-density polyethylene. Polyethylene is a polymer made of ethylene, and depending on how it polymerises, the properties of polyethylene change.
Polypropylene, however, is classified as number 5 &#; PP. It is also a plastic polymer, but its monomer is propylene, which is easily produced and has a high degree of purity.
Polyethylene is a very elastic material that stretches easily, making it the perfect material for food packaging. Polypropylene is much less flexible, although it is notably more difficult to break. Depending on the orientation the plastic is given &#; BOPP or OPP &#;, it will have a greater or lesser degree of flexibility.
Polypropylene is a much more lightweight material than polyethylene. Regarding colour, in its natural form the first is a translucid white, while polyethylene is colourless. Different industrial extrusion processes are used to develop the best features for the packaging industry, in other words, better transparency, tearability, pierceability, etc.
Polypropylene and polyethylene food packaging is easy to recycle, as both materials are thermoplastics. This means that they melt when exposed to heat processes and can be moulded repeatedly. In the specific case of these two plastics, they can be given a new use after recycling. Polyethylene is the more widely recycled of the two, however.
The different features of both plastics mean their uses as food packaging are often very different. Let&#;s look at some examples:
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Polyethylene and polypropylene can both be used for purposes other than food packaging:
If you would like more information on the different uses of these plastics, please visit our webpage or contact us, we will be happy to answer all your queries!
Polyethylene, referred to as PE. It is a high-molecular organic compound formed by addition polymerization of ethylene. Polyethylene is recognized as the best material in contact with food in the world. It is non-toxic, tasteless and odorless, and meets food packaging hygiene standards. Polyethylene film, light and transparent, has the properties of moisture resistance, oxygen resistance, acid resistance, alkali resistance, general air tightness, and excellent heat sealability. It is the most important and most used material for plastic packaging printing. Pe is divided into high density and low density. Generally used in supermarkets (vest bags) are high-density PE plastic bags. Most of the handbags commonly used in daily life are made of low-density PE, such as handbags used in clothing stores.
After introducing PE, let's talk about nylon. Nylon is a synthetic fiber material, the main component is resin. Because nylon has good comprehensive properties, including mechanical properties, heat resistance, abrasion resistance, etc., nylon bags not only have the advantages of waterproof, light and tough, but also can be washed and reused. From the perspective of environmental protection, compared to ordinary plastic bags, nylon bags are more easily degraded and are a very environmentally friendly material.
Plastic bag is a general term, as long as it is made of synthetic resin material, it is called plastic bag. Both PE bags and nylon bags are plastic bags, with different materials. PE bags are divided into high density and low density. High-density ones are tougher, have high transparency, feel stiff, and are relatively expensive. Generally, the plastic bags given by supermarkets are high-density PE bags. Low-density PE bags are the most common soft-to-touch bags sold in the general market. They are inferior in quality, poor in transparency, and cheap in price. Nylon bags refer to plastic bags made of various polyamides, which vary depending on the specific amide material. But in general, the appearance is good in texture, thick, and silky and smooth to the touch. Generally used for high-end clothing, jewelry and other commodities, the price is relatively high.
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