Polyethylene

Polymers as carbon compounds are most often produced from petrochemical sources, while increasingly from renewable sources. Non-biodegradable polymers from renewable resources include the polymers where biomass is used for the production without the biodegradation property. They are mostly made from bioethanol produced from sugar fermentation, such as polyethylene (PE).

Bio-polyethylene is chemically and physically similar to traditional polyethylene. It is not biodegradable but can be recycled. In addition, it is an environmentally friendly material and has similar technical properties and processability of the resin from fossil sources.

Synthesis of Bio-based Polyethylene

The monomer used for synthesis of polyethylene is ethylene, which is generally obtained from petroleum feedstock by distillation. However, great interest is now being shown to obtain this chemical from biological resources. The synthetic approach of bio-polyethylene from ethylene monomer by dehydration of bioethanol, obtained from glucose, is showed in figure 1 ^[1].

Fig. 1 General scheme for bio-polyethylene production

The glucose, obtained from different biological feedstocks (such as sugar cane, sugar beet, starch crops, and lignocellulosic material), is anaerobically fermented in order to obtain ethanol. After distillation and dehydration of bioethanol, the ethylene can be obtained. monomer obtained. The subsequent polymerization of the bio-ethylene monomer is the same as that uses ethylene derived from petroleum.

Applications

Like traditional polyethylene, bio-polyethylene can be made into products ranging from clear food wrap and shopping bags to detergent bottles and automobile fuel tanks. It can also be slit or spun into synthetic fibers or modified to take on the elastic properties of a rubber.

There are 3 types of different types of polyethylene, namely low density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and low linear density polyethylene (LLDPE). Different types of polyethylene are with different applications.

• Low density polyethylene (LDPE)

As it is significantly more flexible than HDPE or LLDPE, LDPE can be used in the following applications:

• High-density polyethylene (HDPE)

Because of its hardness and rigidity, HDPE is mainly used in applications that require a strong yet affordable material. HDPE applications include:

• Low linear density polyethylene (LLDPE)

LLDPE has higher tensile strength and higher impact and puncture resistance than does LDPE. It is very flexible and elongates under stress. Applications of LLDPE include:

Our Bio-based Polyethylene

Alfa Chemistry provides a range of polyethylene which is based on renewable raw materials.

Alfa Chemistry is a professional supplier of bio-based polyethylene. For high quality products, professional technical service, use suggestion and latest industry news, please feel free to contact us.

Reference

1. Siracusa, V., & Blanco, I. Bio-based polyethylene (Bio-PE), Bio-Polypropylene (Bio-PP) and Bio-Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (Bio-PET): Recent Developments in Bio-Based Polymers Analogous to Petroleum-Derived Ones for Packaging and Engineering Applications. Polymers, 2020, 12(8), 1641.

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