Polyethylene Product & Market Guide

Asia Pacific
1 Polyethylene Product & Market Guide

Polyethylene Products Overview

ASPUN™ Fiber Grade Resins DOWLEX™ Polyethylene Resins DOW™ LDPE
Excellent softness and drape; Stretchability, moldability, holding Low Density Polyethylene Resins
low melting point; good force, puncture and tear resistance, Easy processing, clarity, and
adhesion to polyethylene and with good hot tack strength, stiffness, combined with printability,
polypropylene films. UV resistance, ESCR, and toughness. strength, and tear resistance.

ATTANE™ Ultra Low Density ELITE™ Enhanced

Polyethylene Resins Polyethylene Resins
Excellent combination of softness, Distinct combinations of stiffness,
clarity, gloss, and cling, with impact strength, and toughness, with
low temperature flexibility and stretchability, low sealing tempera-
high flex crack resistance. tures, moldability, and processability.

DOW™ HDPE
High Density Polyethylene Resins
Stiffness, toughness, and
stress crack resistance for pipe,
molded goods, and films.

™ Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow

 Polyethylene Product & Market Guide 2

Products
Polyethylene products offered by As the competitive environment This guide offers a more detailed
The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) demands innovative and continuously look at the many products and
cover the extremes and everything in improving solutions, our extremely product families available to you
between. Our broad product portfolio diverse palette helps you to find the and your markets, applications,
spans the performance continuum– match for your requirements. and fabrication processes. For a
from industry workhorse resins to complete list of which product
highly differentiated polyethylene Whether you are seeking to reduce families are appropriate for
polymers that could help you design the weight of your product or to which markets, applications, and
cutting-edge products and provide increase its strength, or if you want fabrication processes, please view
opportunities for capturing more to make it faster, thinner, and lower the Product Finder at:
downstream value. your costs, Dow products may hold www.dowplastics.com/plastics/ap/
the key to the solution. index.htm
3 Polyethylene Product & Market Guide

ASPUN™
Fiber Grade Resins
The fiber resin for excellent soft touch and drape.

When processors are looking for differentiated Second, the lower melting points of ASPUN
performance in spunbond or staple fiber and Resins make them very well suited for thermal
non-woven materials, one name stands out bonding applications such as melt blown
–  ASPUN™ Fiber Grade Resins. interlayers or bi-component fibers. ASPUN
Resins may be your solution of choice for
ASPUN Resins deliver on two previously spunbond, airlaid, and carded non-wovens.
unmet needs in hygiene and medical
applications in particular. ASPUN™ Fiber Grade Resins have
a proven track record and provide distinct
First, they provide soft, cloth-like haptics for performance to the world’s leading non-
non-woven outer covers, medical drapes, woven manufacturers and consumer
and gowns, as well as hygienic article products companies. Fabrics containing
topsheets. In comparison with homopolymer ASPUN Resins can be laminated to polypro­
polypropylene, ASPUN Resins can help you pylene or polyethylene films for even greater
deliver consumer products with an elevated design flexibility.
comfort level.

ATTANE™
Ultra Low Density Polyethylene Copolymers

Specific performance when the demands are high.

ATTANE™ Ultra Low Density Polyethylene The low modulus of ATTANE ULDPE
(ULDPE) Copolymers help meet demanding Copolymers provides hygiene film customers
performance requirements in very specific with key properties, such as low noise
market segments, such as stretch wrap, and softness.
food packaging, and hygiene and
medical applications. Applications for ATTANE ULDPE Copolymers
include consumer bags and packaging for
Compared to DOWLEX™ Polyethylene cheese, meat, coffee, and detergents; hygiene
Resins, ATTANE ULDPE Copolymers offer films; heavy duty sacks; and turf bags. They
greater low temperature flexibility and are also used widely to produce silage wrap,
flex crack resistance, a fine solution for mulch films, and extruded membranes.
containing liquids that move freely within
a package.

Using ATTANE ULDPE Copolymers offers

excellent optics and high tear resistance,
while helping to avoid leaks and spills.

™ Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow

 Polyethylene Product & Market Guide 4

DOWLEX™
Polyethylene Resins
The resins of choice for higher performance and processability.

For customers who require more toughness, DOWLEX PE Resins are also frequently
puncture resistance, or good tear resistance, used as a film to wrap pallet loads that have
DOWLEX™ Polyethylene (PE) Resins offer sharp corners and irregular shapes. Their
these qualities and much more. They deliver combination of toughness, easy processing,
higher performance and processability, and and the ability to downgauge is a very good
have a wide variety of applications in blown choice for general industrial and consumer
and cast film, extrusion coating, injection film applications that require more strength
molding, and rotomolding. In addition, they and puncture resistance.
have become a material of choice for hot and
cold water pipes (PE-RT), membranes, and
other durable goods.

The impact resistance and hot tack strength

of these materials provide a real advantage
in food and specialty packaging. For hygiene
films, DOWLEX PE Resins offer excellent
toughness and downgauging potential; and in
agricultural applications, like silage wrap and
mulch film, DOWLEX PE Resins have set many
high stand­ards of performance.

ELITE™
Enhanced Polyethylene Resins

Distinct combinations and no compromises with a single product solution.

ELITE™ Enhanced Polyethylene (EPE) Resins As an example, for liquid, dry, and frozen
provide a single material solution that goes food, you can use ELITE EPE Resins to reduce
beyond the traditional combinations of package thickness by up to 25 percent
performance attributes. They offer cost- without sacrificing toughness or machinability.
effective answers to a variety of challenges On high-speed stretch film lines, ELITE EPE
by bringing together the excellent flexibility Resins can run faster and thinner without
of our Solution Process with INSITE™ compromising their holding force. And,
Technology. for lamination films, packers can maintain
stiffness and toughness while reducing
The resulting products can deliver sealability pack weight. In these and many other film
and stiffness; high stretch and high applications, from baby diaper backsheets to
puncture resistance; impact strength and heavy duty shipping sacks, ELITE EPE Resins
processability; stiffness and impact strength; bring a new dimension of performance.
and many other distinct combinations. What’s
more, these single-resin benefits can be
applied to a wide variety of film, laminate, and
coated products.

™ Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow

5 Polyethylene Product & Market Guide

DOW™ HDPE
High Density Polyethylene Resins

Stiffness, toughness, and stress crack resistance for pipe, molded goods, and films.

DOW™ High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) DOW HDPE Resins also provide excellent
Resins provide toughness, rigidity, and organoleptics (taste and odor characteristics),
strength for blow molding applications, film higher stiffness, and high chemical resistance,
products, and extruded and injection in particular, for food contact applications
molded items. such as caps and closures.

For blow molding, DOW HDPE Resins offer For injection molding, DOW HDPE Resins
an excellent combination of stiffness and offer both strength and processability – the
environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR), two properties every injection molding
making them a popular option for many processor wants, but rarely achieves at the
applications in personal care, household and same time.
industrial chemical containers, and bottle
products in general. With a product range including homopolymers
and copolymers, in a variety of melt indices and
DOW HDPE Resins offer the toughness and densities, these advantages are available across
stress crack resistance essential for pipe a wide spectrum of end-use applications.
appli­cations, while high-molecular-weight
HDPE film resins provide toughness and
downgauging capabilities. Applications
include thin gauge carrier bags, bin liners,
refuse sacks, and monotape for multiple twine
and netting applications.

DOW™ LDPE
Low Density Polyethylene Resins

Turning a workhorse into a racehorse.

DOW™ Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) In packaging applications, DOW LDPE Resins
Resins are more than just general-purpose offer excellent aesthetics, printability,
polyethylene resins. They are re-emerging as strength, tear resistance, and elasticity.They
a valuable product family, combining excellent can be processed on today’s high-speed
clarity with the stiffness and density favored lines for use in film, lamination, and coating
by converters for downgauging. structures, as well as blended easily with
other polyethylene resins from Dow for
Ease of processing beyond most linear customized performance.
low density polyethylene (LLDPE) resins,
improved product performance, excellent Dow’s commitment to provide quality products
drawability, and quality combine to produce is stronger than ever. Our focused programs
cost-competitive solutions for converters in a to minimize or eliminate gels, dust, and floss,
wide variety of applications. These range from and improve granulation quality are important
complex food packaging structures to hygiene examples of Dow’s efforts to be your best
films and coated paper boards. LDPE supplier.

Other typical applications include liners;

overwraps; consumer bags; heavy duty sacks;
clarity, shrink and collation films; lamination
films; protective films; agricultural films;
extrusion coatings; wire and cable; pipes; and
a variety of durable products.

™Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow

 Polyethylene Product & Market Guide 6

Markets
We meet customer needs with If your application is innovative,
application-specific solutions for a challenging, or requires precise
wide range of market segments. specifications, ask us about the ways
Look to Dow for exceptional in which we can use our extraordinary
expertise and plastics-based plastics portfolio to meet those
solutions. You can count on our tougher demands.
experts to offer a global, in-depth
understanding of market dynamics For additional information regarding
and application requirements. specific resins and films and their
respective use in markets, applications,
and fabrication processes, please
view the Product Finder at
www.dowplastics.com/plastics/ap/
index.htm
7 Polyethylene Product & Market Guide

When it comes to the Durables Goods and Household Products

Flooring market, strength, durability, and Dow products are often specified to meet
toughness are obvious requirements. But to manufacturers’ needs in a wide array of
differentiate your products and improve your common household applications.
cost/performance balance, you need more • Bathroom Enclosures – such as one-piece
from a supplier than a plastic that meets bath and shower basins
these basic  requirements.
• Furniture – including garden and patio
pieces to accents and laminates for fine
That’s why Dow offers global solutions, giving
furniture and home accessories
you an opportunity to meet the challenges
facing market segments including household • Housewares like food storage containers,
products, personal care products, recreational hampers, children’s toy chests, and more
products, and medical equipment and devices. • Luggage components such as hard-shell
Dow’s expertise and experience – together frames, handles, wheels, etc.
with our extraordinary portfolio of plastics – • Tools – ranging from small hand tools to
will provide you an opportunity to achieve the larger garden and power equipment ... Dow
best possible combination of functionality, plastics can be found working hard!
appearance, productivity and lower costs.
Membranes
Looking for better aesthetics, broader service Membranes are sheet-like structures,
temperatures, lighter weight, or faster cycle which are commonly used in environmental
times? Dow plastics offer the versatility that and water protection applications. These
your applications demand. Our plastics help membranes are used to prevent the
deliver the right combination of mechanical release of gas or odors into buildings or
properties at competitive costs and low into the environment, and also help to
maintenance while still offering toughness protect groundwater against spoilage with
and excellent durability. Dow resins provide contaminated water.
higher impact and environmental stress
crack resistance, combined with very good Membranes are essential in waterproofing
processing characteristics and pigment applications, helping to protect new
compatibility. constructions against corrosion or water
erosion. They are also used in containment,
Because our plastics offer such an excellent collection, and the conveyance of drinking
balance between cost and performance, they water, helping to prevent water loss.
are highly valued through the entire spectrum

Durables of durables goods and flooring applications.

Artificial Turf
Personal Care
We are all selective about what touches
our bodies – everything from fabrics to

Goods and
Artificial turf has come a long way in 40 toothbrushes. If a product is that close to
years, with new, advanced systems becoming us, it has to meet some pretty stringent
the first choice for many professional sports standards. Bright colors, greater style,
venues around the world. Dow is a key player

Flooring
comfort and convenience – Dow has products
in this evolving market, developing a range that suit your application requirements for
of complementary materials that together toothbrushes and other hygiene products.
produce long-lasting, high performance
artificial turf. For more information regarding Recreational Products
our involvement with artificial turf systems,
For many end-use products, such as these
visit www.dowartificialturf.com.
listed here, Dow offers plastics that are real
winners.
• Outdoor and Gardening – for use in carts,
outdoor containers, decorative fencing,
seating, and more
• Toys - big, small, hard, soft, colorful, indoor,
and outdoor

™Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow

 Polyethylene Product & Market Guide 8

Dow is at the forefront of trends in food Liquid and Semi Solid

and specialty packaging films. As one of the Food Packaging
world’s largest producers of plastics used The packaging of liquids and semi-solid
in food packaging, Dow’s market-specific food requires proper selection of materials
expertise and innovation gives you advantages to ensure zero leakage from the package.
to create innovative packaging to deliver food Toughness, resistance to flex cracking, and
that is fresh, healthy, and convenient. seal integrity are among the key requirements
for this segment.
Dow plastic products provide a desirable
balance of properties for high-performance Extrusion board coating is one solution, with
films such as multi-layer co-extrusions or extrusion coated polymers from Dow servicing
laminate structures, and may also be used a multitude of applications. For practically any
as a toughness layer. Whether in blown or substrate, Dow has resins that can be used in
cast film co-extrusion, extrusion coating, or an extrusion coating/lamination process for
lamination of monolayer and co-extruded food and beverage packaging.
films to barrier substrates, Dow products offer
opportunities for cost-effective processing for Meat and Cheese Packaging
numerous end uses.
The extended shelf-life and ease of use of
many pre-packed meat and cheese products
Bakery Packaging make them favorites among consumers.
A basic purchase for most consumers, Critical requirements are proper oxygen
packaged bread and other bakery goods barrier, seal integrity, and package toughness.
provide the ultimate in consumer convenience,
allowing ready-to-eat products with freshness Medical Packaging*
that lasts well beyond homemade.
Medical packaging requirements are as
varied as the products being packaged.
Display Packaging Because of the importance to human health,
For display packaging, Dow's resins can medical packaging must utilize the highest
optimize your package design and performance resins available in order to
performance. Dow's diverse offering of proven provide maximum protection of the product
performers is well suited to meet your needs being packaged. Typical requirements include
in this application. complete seal integrity, overall barrier
properties, and excellent toughness.
Dry Food Packaging
Pet Food Packaging
Flexible
For dry food packaging for products such
as crackers, biscuits, cereals, and bakery Packaging for pet food must provide
goods, Dow resins can optimize your package protection specific to the type of food

Food and
design and performance, providing excellent being packaged. High-fat dog food require
combinations of moisture barrier, taste and grease resistance, for example, while moist
odor requirements, toughness, and sealability. food require barrier properties. Stand-up
pouch formats require the stiffness needed

Specialty
Fresh Produce Packaging to maintain their shape, and high heat
Fresh-cut produce includes a variety of salads, seal strength and toughness are critically
vegetables, and fruits cleaned, packaged, important for larger packages.

Packaging
and ready to eat. The proper design of the
packaging film ensures the correct exchange of Snack Food Packaging
oxygen and carbon dioxide between the inside The packaging for snack food such as potato
of the package and the atmosphere. Combined chips/crisps, dried fruits, nuts, candy, and
with proper refrigeration, this can substantially others demands specific requirements.
lengthen the shelf life of fresh produce. These may include barrier to light, oxygen,
or moisture, as well as good toughness
Frozen Food Packaging and sealability.
Frozen food packages protect prepared
and plain vegetables, potatoes, and fruit Because a lot of snack food is pur­chased
for convenient delivery to the consumer. on impulse, most packages have glossy
Providing firmness and nutritional quality that surfaces and eye-catching graphics to attract
exceeds canned vegetables or fruit, frozen consumers’ attention.
food has developed a preference among
many consumers. Require­ments for this
application include a broad seal window and
the toughness needed to withstand the sharp
edges of frozen food.

™Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow

*Any medical application requires a Dow business assessment prior to the sale or sampling of Dow products.
9 Polyethylene Product & Market Guide

Dow offers a broad mix of plastic resins to A polyethylene backing film, or backsheet,
address emerging requirements in the hygiene serves as a liquid barrier for absorbent
and medical markets. Our technical capabilities products. Backsheets are typically produced
and industry knowledge help us better via cast or blown films composed of blends
understand converter and end user needs of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE),
and provide us with the expertise needed to DOWLEX™ Polyethylene (PE) Resins, or
support developments in the fast-changing field ELITE™ Enhanced Polyethylene (EPE), and
of disposable absorbent products. low density polyethylene (LDPE), to which
white pigment is added. They are usually
Dow plastic products are used to improve the embossed to provide a more pleasing visual
fit, functionality, and comfort of baby diapers, and tactile aspect.
training pants, feminine care products, and
adult incontinence products, as well as medical Feminine Care Products
drapes, gowns, and disposable medical While feminine hygiene products differ from
applications such as tissue culture trays and diapers and incontinence products, they share
Petri dishes*. Plastics from Dow are used in all many of the same components. Dow plastics
components of diapers, feminine hygiene and are used in all components of feminine
adult incontinence products, such as backsheet hygiene products, such as backsheet and
and top sheet films, leg gathers, and hook and top sheet films. They offer characteristics
loop (fasten and re-fasten) systems, and more. like proper adhesion, softness, dry feel and
breathability.
Our products offer performance benefits in
nearly all components, and we are driven by Medical Disposables
a desire to be recognized by industry partners
Dow offers a broad mix of plastic resins to
as the best global supplier of polyolefin-based
improve the fit, functionality, and comfort
solutions into the Health and Hygiene industry.
of medical drapes, gowns, plus service
disposable medical applications such as tissue
Dow is working on new solutions that align
culture trays and Petri dishes*.
with current and future industry trends and
deliver on partner needs. Dow understands
Dow is at the forefront of trends in the
the importance of new features, improved
development of more cloth-like, breathable
comfort and achieving higher performance
structures with softer, more elastic composites.
at lower total costs. As a well-established,
global, back-integrated supplier, Dow can help
provide the expertise and reliable supply of Medical Equipment and Devices

Health products you need to address these issues. Medical technology and development drive
the need for new and innovative solutions,
Whether you desire material properties to cost effective performers and trustworthy

and
enhance skin health, body fit, feelings of plastics. Dow has a wide variety of materials
cloth, or higher throughput, downgaugability that deliver the right balance of properties to
or material substitution potential, Dow offers an even broader variety of applications*
a broad mix of plastics and material science

Hygiene
to address emerging requirements for the Technicals
following Health and Hygiene applications: The Dow products listed below are well suited
to meet your needs in technical non-wovens,
Adult Incontinence including protective garments, filtration,
What we’ve learned from diapers, we can aptly agricultural and geotextiles.
apply to adult incontinence products, including
following the current trends of water vapor Wipes
permeable breathable backsheets to prevent Dow is at the forefront of trends in the
irritation; and the use of elastic films, foams, or development of soft, more cloth-like,
fibers to produce a more form-fitting product. functional structures, especially as the
market for wipes grows with increasing
Baby Care Products attention to personal health and hygiene.
Current trends in the diaper market include Dow understands improved economics
water vapor permeable breathable backsheets for disposable items is a must. As a well-
to prevent heat buildup and rash; and the use established, global, back-integrated supplier,
of elastic films, foams, or fibers to produce Dow offers the expertise and reliable supply
a more form-fitting product. Many diaper of products you need to address these issues.
backsheets are now laminated with a non-
woven polypropylene on the outer side, to
provide a cloth-like feel.

™ Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow

*Any medical application requires a Dow business assessment prior to the sale or sampling of Dow products.
 Polyethylene Product & Market Guide 10

Dow offers a full range of products for the Greenhouses

industrial and consumer films and foams Greenhouse and tunnel films are generally
market designed to meet the newly emerging made at very high layflats, as high as 65 feet.
uses for films and foams. Product packaging, As a result, bubble stability is very important
for example, is often now used as a marketing during production. Greenhouse and tunnel
tool in and of itself. Our plastics are up to films must:
this challenge – offering excellent aesthetics • Resist exposure to UV
and printability.
• Resist fogging due to condensation of
interior moisture
Dow plastic products are particularly
suitable for new consumer films, offering • Resist environmental contaminants
both excellent aesthetic and mechanical (acid rain, particulate)
properties. Our products can provide bubble • Be tough enough to withstand abuse
stability for thicker films, downgauging • Allow the transmission of light
opportunities, high melt strength for blown
film extrusion of propylene-based products, Mulch Films
and thickness reduction – without penalty in The mechanical performance of Dow plastic
end-use film performance. products makes them an excellent choice for
mulch films.
Agriculture
For Dow’s customers in the agriculture Mulch films serve a number of different
market segment, plastics are leading the purposes. Transparent mulch film is used to
way to a more profitable and environmentally encourage early season plant growth and
friendly future. early cropping, whereas black mulch films are
used to control weed growth and white films
Advances in polyethylene technology for provide reflected sunlight for the plants. In all
agricultural films have reduced the need cases, a more effective use of the available
for chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and water is achieved. Most mulch films are 10 to
herbicides. Agricultural films improve crop 50 microns in thickness and used in widths up
quality and increase the crop yield. The to 3 meters.
advantages of polyethylene films over
competing materials (such as wood chips, Silage Films
straw, mulch, cloth, burlap, and fiberglass) Silage films maintain the nutritional value of
include lower costs, increased profitability, forage plants such as corn, vegetables, and

Industrial
and environmental stability. grasses that continue to respire after cutting.
Silage film exclude the air so lactic acid
Innovation leads to growth. Because fermentation can take place, leaving a feed
Dow invests so much into new product rich in vitamins and carotene. When silage

and
development (a full two-thirds of the film is used, the feed can keep its nutrients for
Corporate R&D budget) Dow is continually several months, depending on the amount of
expanding into new agricultural market air left (the less air, the better). Thus, feed is
segments to better meet your needs. available for use during periods when forage
is not available in sufficient  quantities.

DOWLEX™ Polyethylene (PE) Resins, because Consumer

Packaging
of their exceptional mechanical properties,
provide competitive advantages over other
linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE)
resins. This, in particular, also applies to the
development of stretch wrap film for the
packaging and storage of silage fodder. In
fact, most wrapping machines are set up to
run films made with DOWLEX resins.

™ Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow

11 Polyethylene Product & Market Guide

Heavy-duty Shipping Sacks Retail Bags and Sacks Stretch Films

In a whole range of miscellaneous heavy duty Many retailers are seeking to down gauge their Stretch film is a very effective method of
films, polyolefin products can provide moisture structures while maintaining performance. pro­tecting palletized products through storage
barrier, tear strength, puncture resistance This explains the use of higher alpha olefin and distribution. For more than 20 years,
and other desirable properties. These films based DOWLEX™ PE Resins and metallocene- LLDPE resins have provided an excellent
are often used for industrial sheet, wrap and based ELITE™ EPE Resins in what is normally balance of properties to meet the demanding
tubing for commercial packaging. considered a commodity market. requirements of stretch film applications, with
higher alpha olefin comonomer grades being
Industrial sheets are typically placed between There is also a strong demand for higher one of the market and technology leaders.
wood, metal, glass, and other industrial quality "boutique" bags requiring good
materials such as rubber, and significant aesthetics and printability. Dow plastics help As film converters continuously strive for
quantities of this film and sheet are treated provide the right combinations of properties more cost effective production and packaging
for printing. for both retailers and converters. applications become more demanding, using
high speed and/or high pre-stretch machines,
Liners Shrink Films the structure of these films is changing. The
Industrial liners include polyethylene bags This is a well-established and cost effective core layers are based on high performance
(used to line boxes, drums, bins and other method of collating cans, bottles, cartons higher alpha-olefin polymers.
containers), printed liners, and printed and palletized goods, and also offers the
industrial bags. These liners are designed transportation benefit of low weight. In Plastics from Dow provide many benefits,
for use with outer packages to protect the addition, shrink film is suitable for recycling, notably stretch-ability, holding force and
product inside, to make it easier to remove incineration, or landfill. resistance to tears and punctures.
the product, and to allow for reuse of the
outer container. Industrial liners are used Both LDPE and LLDPE are used in this Stretch Hoods
to package items such as tires, mattresses, market, with LLDPE often added to provide Stretch hood is one of the fastest growing
dry foods and grains, chemicals, plastics, dry additional mechanical strength or increase pallet stabilization and packaging systems,
feeds, textile products, and produce. heat stability. There is a growing demand a demanding application requiring good
for printed shrink films which provide a holding force and consistent elasticity for load
Dow plastics are used to manufacture a powerful and cost efficient promotional tool stability, tear and puncture resistance, and
broad range of industrial liners, offering for creating or enhancing a brand image in a the ability to perform over a wide temperature
many advantageous properties, especially competitive  marketplace. range (-40°C to +50°C). Not only that, the
toughness, chemical resistance and stretch hood must be easy to apply, without
barrier  properties. The range of Dow products includes both wrinkling, when packaging lines are running
LDPE with excellent optical properties at high speeds. Other features such as optics,
Protective Packaging and shrink performance, and LLDPE which transparency in some applications, printability,
Protective films are used to cover and protect increases mechanical properties without and recyclability are also important features.
surface of fabricated parts, especially in compromising the aesthetics.
the automotive and household appliance
industry. They are also used extensively by
manufacturers of metal and plastic sheets.

Traditional protective films are standard

polyethylene films coated with an adhesive
emulsion. However, co-extruded films with
a special outer layer for adhesion have a
stronger market growth potential.

Both low density polyethylene (LDPE) and

linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) are
used in this market which demands resins
with low gel levels and high gloss, as well as
high modulus for downstream machinability.

™Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow

 Polyethylene Product & Market Guide 12

In today's drain, waste, and vent (DWV) DOWLEX™ Polyethylene (PE) Resins may be
market, building designers, manufacturers, used at elevated temperatures for a variety
and molders of pipes and fittings can benefit of pipe applications that include floor heating,
greatly from resins that are both proven and sanitary systems, radiator connections, snow
cost-efficient performers. melt systems, heat exchangers, solar panels,
and energy recovery systems. These resins
Working with Dow gives you a tremendous are designed to have a lifetime of more than
advantage – access to one of the world's 50 years and are compliant with most drinking
broadest portfolios of plastics products. But water regulations. DOWLEX PE Resins for
there are many added benefits, as well. With pipe are optimized for excellent hoop stress
Dow's expertise, you have the opportunity performance and outstanding processability
to achieve the appropriate balance of without the need for crosslinking.
functionality, appearance, productivity and
potentially lower costs. Additional information regarding specific
application segments is presented below.
For example, Dow offers a variety of plastic For even more information, visit
products that are suitable for several types of www.plasticpipes.com.
piping applications, including pressure pipes,
corrugated and telecom and conduit. Dow Construction Pipes and Fitting
provides resins for hose and tube applications Hygiene, cost effectiveness and zero-
ranging from drip irrigation to swimming corrosion of plastic pipes provide a clear
pool accessories. Whether your application advantage in water delivery systems.
requires burst strength, puncture resistance, Resins manufactured by Dow for use in pipe
or ease of extrusion, Dow has a resin that applications help provide the qualities pipe
delivers quality, consistency and performance. manufacturers desire.

Dow offers a range of polyolefin products Non-Pressure Pipes

that meet the demands of ASTM, ISO, Resins manufactured by Dow offer the strength
and CEN standards for pressure and non- and durability non-pressure pipes require in
pressure pipe applications. The advantages applications such as restaurant beverage
of polyolefin materials over traditional pipe tubing and telecommunications conduit.
products, such as concrete and metal, are
long life, no corrosion, leak-free fusion
welds, and pipelines that are resistant to
ground movement. The light weight and
flexibility of polyolefin pipe systems allow
significant cost savings through a variety of
installation techniques. Pipes and
In the non-pressure pipe market, Dow
provides the industry essential resins
for applications including hose and tube,
corrugated pipe, and telecommunications
Fittings
conduit. Confer exceptional processing
characteristics while maintaining excellent
impact and ring stiffness properties.

™Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow

13 Polyethylene Product & Market Guide

As a key supplier to the rigid packaging Bottles and Drums

industry for more than 60 years, Dow In our world of differentiated products and
continues to provide its customers with our society that demands functionality, bottles
technical expertise and a broad and innovative come in all shapes and sizes, with a variety of
line of plastics that help handle the most features. Whatever your blow molded bottle
extreme and demanding applications. requirement – wide or narrow mouth, square
or round, handles or not, large or small, dry or
Continuous innovation and improvement liquid applications, personal care, or liquid food
demand new solutions, and Dow is a leader – Dow offers you a selection of plastics that
in developing new products that offer better could meet the demand.
aesthetics, lighter weight, and faster cycle
times. Regardless of which process you use For containers up to 20 liters in size for the
– blow molding, injection molding, rotational Dairy, Water, and Juice; Household and
molding, compression molding, thermoforming Industrial Chemical (HIC); Pharmaceutical,
– our extremely broad and continuously Cosmetic, and Toiletry markets, Dow’s High
evolving product line means you can rely Density Polyethylene (HDPE) product offering
on Dow for polymers that help meet your delivers the features and benefits you need,
requirements. such as:
• Excellent rigidity
Dow divides the plastic rigid packaging market
• Excellent environmental stress crack
into two major segments, consumer and
resistance (ESCR)
industrial packaging, with the first further split
into food and non-food applications. Within • High impact resistance, as well as
these, there is a suite of industries including good melt strength and moderate swell
bottles, thin-wall containers, caps and characteristics
closures, cups and lids, industrial containers, • Improved top-load strength, drop height
and material handling. Dow plastic products resistance, shape retention, and stackability
for rigid packaging applications offer high • Contact clarity and gloss
impact strength and high barrier properties, • Heat resistance for retention of package
often exceeding industry standards for quality integrity during the retort, pasteurization,
and durability. Our products offer excellent hot fill, and/or shipping and handling
clarity and gloss characteristics. When used processes
in applications such as blow molded bottles • Consistent processability
or injection molded closures, our poly­ethylene • Excellent moisture barrier and chemical
products offer benefits including light weight,

Rigid
resistance
excellent stiffness/ESCR balance, design
versatility, and good resistance to a broad
range of chemicals.

Packaging

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 Polyethylene Product & Market Guide 14

Caps and Closures Material Handling

Caps and closures is one of the largest Material handling has a huge potential growth
and most complex rigid packaging market opportunity for plastics, particularly in plastic
segments, with applications in areas such pallets and novel logistic solutions. The use
as beverages, cosmetics, chemicals and of plastic pallets is growing, driven by trends
pharmaceuticals. Applications typically for higher container durability, reduction of
require a balance of stiffness and toughness, packaging waste, and improved recycling
and can require high chemical resistance and/ opportunities. Product development focuses
or excellent organoleptics, in particular for food primarily on improved physical properties
contact applications (water and carbonated (stiffness, toughness) and processability.
soft drink closures). Dow's expertise within
a broad portfolio of plastics offers significant DOW™ High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
benefits for producers wishing to innovate. Resins is designed to help provide the top
load strength, low temperature impact
Dow offers a range of products suitable for resistance, rigidity, durability, and surface
caps and closures which offer benefits such aesthetics demanded by today's material
as light weight, design versatility, and good handling applications. Cost-efficient resins
chemical resistance to a range of products. from Dow also offer the uniform flow required
These resins offer excellent processability in to fill the large molds used for pallets, crates,
multiple technologies, including compression collapsible totes, and other bulk containers.
molding and injection molding.
Thin Wall Containers
Industrial Containers and Serviceware
The industrial containers market is seeing As a world-leading supplier of plastics
growth and significant material substitution, solutions, Dow offers a variety of products
especially in the paint market segments. lines that are well-suited to produce thin
Cost and processability are big drivers wall containers and serviceware. Whether
of innovation, as well as differentiated your article is solid or foamed, thermoformed
packaging, including in-mold labeling and high or injection molded, Dow works closely
transparency con­tainers. Dow's extraordinary with you to select products that match
portfolio of high density polyethylene resins your application needs, and to explore new
is widely used in pail applications. combinations of properties that open the door
to exciting opportunities.
Dow products used in these markets are
designed to help provide the top load strength, With the growth in both food and non-food
low temperature impact resistance, rigidity, packaging, performance requirements have
durability, and surface aesthetics demanded by changed. This accentuates the benefits of
today’s industrial container applications. These Dow's broad plastics portfolio, providing you
resins also offer the uniform flow required to an opportunity to meet demands for:
fill the multi-cavity molds used for pails, and • Improved transparency
other industrial containers. • Better aesthetics with in-mold labeling
• Lighter weight
• Thinner gauges with better performance
• Faster cycle times and improved
processability
• Broader service temperature windows
• Extended shelf-life
• Recyclability

™Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow

For more information on products, innovations, expertise, and other services available
to you from Dow’s Plastics business group, visit www.dowplastics.com and choose your
region, or contact us as indicated below.

North America Europe/Middle East +800-3694-6367

U.S. & Canada 1-800-441-4369 +32-3-450-2240
1-989-832-1426 Italy +800-783-825
Mexico +1-800-441-4369
South Africa +800-99-5078
Latin America
Argentina +54-11-4319-0100 Asia Pacific +800-7776-7776
Brazil +55-11-5188-9000 +60-3-7965-5392

Colombia +57-1-219-6000
Mexico +52-55-5201-4700

NOTICE: Any photographs of end-use applications in this document represent potential end-use applications but
do not necessarily represent current commercial applications, nor do they represent an endorsement by The Dow
Chemical Company (“Dow”) of the actual products. Further, these photographs are for illustration purposes only
and do not reflect either an endorsement or sponsorship of any other manufacturer for a specific potential end-use
product or application, or for Dow, or for specific products manufactured by Dow.

NOTICE: No freedom from infringement of any patent owned by Dow or others is to be inferred. Because use
conditions and applicable laws may differ from one location to another and may change with time, the Customer
is responsible for determining whether products and the information in this document are appropriate for the
Customer’s use and for ensuring that the Customer’s workplace and disposal practices are in compliance with
applicable laws and other governmental enactments. Dow assumes no obligation or liability for the information in
this document. NO WARRANTIES ARE GIVEN; ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED.

NOTICE: If products are described as “experimental” or “developmental”: (1) product specifications may not be fully
determined; (2) analysis of hazards and caution in handling and use are required; (3) there is greater potential for
Dow to change specifications and/or discontinue production; and (4) although Dow may from time to time provide
samples of such products, Dow is not obligated to supply or otherwise commercialize such products for any use or
application whatsoever.

NOTICE REGARDING MEDICAL APPLICATION RESTRICTIONS: Dow will not knowingly sell or sample any product or
service (“Product”) into any commercial or developmental application that is intended for:
a. long-term or permanent contact with internal bodily fluids or tissues. “Long-term” is contact which exceeds 72
continuous hours;
b. use in cardiac prosthetic devices regardless of the length of time involved (“cardiac prosthetic devices”
include, but are not limited to, pacemaker leads and devices, artificial hearts, heart valves, intra-aortic
balloons and control systems, and ventricular bypass-assisted devices);
c. use as a critical component in medical devices that support or sustain human life; or
d. use specifically by pregnant women or in applications designed specifically to promote or interfere with human
reproduction.

Dow requests that customers considering use of Dow products in medical applications notify Dow so that
appropriate assessments may be conducted.

Dow does not endorse or claim suitability of its products for specific medical applications. It is the responsibility
of the medical device or pharmaceutical manufacturer to determine that the Dow product is safe, lawful, and
technically suitable for the intended use. DOW MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
CONCERNING THE SUITABILITY OF ANY DOW PRODUCT FOR USE IN MEDICAL APPLICATIONS.

This document is intended for use within ASIA PACIFIC.

Published July 2009. Printed in Singapore.
© 2009 The Dow Chemical Company

®™
Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow Form No. 003-10051-0709SP