Polyethylene foam is one of the most common materials around the world.
Although it would seem to have huge competition in the packaging industry, PE foam production accounts for almost 1/3 of all plastic production worldwide.
What is polyethylene and how is polyethylene foam recycled?
What is polyethylene and when was it invented?
Polyethylene is one of the most common and versatile synthetic polymers.
It is a type of thermoplastic polymer that consists of long chains of ethylene molecules.
Polyethylene is characterized by its low density, chemical resistance, durability, flexibility and ease of processing, which makes it used in various fields, including packaging, automotive, construction and many others.
The first mention of polyethylene can be found in 1898.
It was invented by Hans von Pechmann, who carried out the synthesis of diazomethane, from which polyethylene was formed.
The foam, which belongs to the group of polymers known to this day, is composed of carbon and hydrogen.
Although its invention took place in the 19th century, its popularization was not until the 1930s.
20th century.
What is the process of recycling polyethylene foam?
Recycling polyethylene foam is an important step toward sustainable waste management.
The process can involve several steps.
The first step is the collection and segregation of polyethylene foam waste.
The material is then shredded into smaller fragments, and finally melted and molded into new products such as sheets, profiles or shapes.
Check out our offer – > PE transformers!
What advantages does polyethylene have and what types can we distinguish?
Polyethylene is primarily high resistance to moisture, damage, chemicals and low abrasion.
This means that the goods transported in it are safe and will reach the shipper without damage.
It does not dust, does not emit odor, and does not affect the quality of transported products.
As a result, it can be used to secure everything from electronic equipment to car parts to food.
There are three types of polyethylene:
- HDPE – has a high density and is used for packaging, containers, toys, canisters.
- LDPE – low-density polyethylene, which is great for making bags with handles and coatings for electrical wires, as it has very good insulating properties
- LLDPE – a low-density linear material that is used to produce stretch films, such as stretch and packaging films.
What is polyethylene foam and how to recycle it?
Recycling polyethylene foam brings many environmental benefits.
First, it reduces the amount of waste going to landfills, which consequently reduces the negative impact on ecosystems.
Second, recycling saves raw materials and energy needed to produce new materials, which is important in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Polyethylene foam, although it would seem otherwise, is a difficult material to recycle, and it’s not even the process itself that is the issue.
Due to its high air bubble content, it takes up a lot of space, so transporting it quickly can be difficult.
Even before the recovery process, the foam is given various treatments, such as shredding or compression, to reduce its volume.
As a result, a much larger amount of synthetic material can be placed on the surface of a single transport.
Where can I order polyethylene foam for packaging?
If you are looking for polyethylene foam, take a peek at our online store or make an appointment with us in Sroda Slaska.
We manufacture plastic packaging for many industries.
In addition to PE foam, we also offer other packaging products that will work well for transporting and storing goods.