PE material information
We use 2 types of PE, HDPE and LDPE.
HDPE or High Density Polyethylene is a rigid-feeling semi-transparent or completely opaque white plastic with a matte appearance. It has a good water and oxygen barrier but is less resistant to falls and breakage than, for example, PET. HDPE bottles are the better choice for acidic and alkaline products but preferably not to be used for, for example, turpentine and benzene or essential oils. HDPE is often easily recyclable. HDPE products may not be filled warmer than +/- 60C
LDPE Low Density Polyethylene is a fairly soft, easily squeezable semi-transparent plastic with a lightly matt surface. It has a good water and oxygen barrier but is less resistant to drops and breakage than PET, for example. It resembles its stiffer brother HDPE, but LDPE is more squeezable and is therefore usually used for dropper bottles. However, LDPE bottles are less resistant to chemicals than HDPE bottles. LDPE bottles should also preferably not be used for, for example, turpentine and benzene or essential oils. LDPE products may not be filled warmer than +/- 60C.
These bottles and jars are often completely white or natural (milky white transparent or semi-transparent) in colour. In natural HDPE the bottle is so transparent that the level of the filling material is still visible. In White Polyethylene this is no longer the case. PE bottles and jars are usually perfectly suited for use in the food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Properties of PE
- Full name of the material = Polyethylene (LD = Low Density and HD = High Density).
- HDPE bottles and jars are semi-transparent (milky white transparent) or completely white (other colours are often possible on request).
- HDPE bottles and jars are usually suitable as "Food" packaging.
- HDPE bottles and jars are often not suitable for packaging essential oil.
- HDPE bottles and jars have a deformation temperature of +/- 60 degrees C.
- HDPE bottles and jars are often easily recyclable.
- Full combustion only produces the non-toxic substances carbon dioxide and water.
Safety
Code 2: HDPE (reliable)
HDPE stands for high-density polyethylene, a plastic that is produced from petroleum. This opaque, thick material is often processed into toys, shampoo bottles, buckets and bottles containing fruit juice. Because HDPE consists largely of carbon and hydrogen, no hazardous substances are released when exposed to higher temperatures. This makes this type of plastic safe for both humans and nature.
Code 4: LDPE (reliable)
The brother of HDPE from code two is called LDPE, or low-density polyethylene. This material is often used in the production of, among other things, cling film, shopping bags and certain types of bottles. Just like HDPE, the use of LDPE is not harmful to health and is perfectly recyclable.
Click here for the chemical-resistance info sheet
(note! this is for information purposes only and does not provide any guarantee. You should always test this yourself under usage conditions. You can request free and non-binding samples via the website.)
