HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
Also called: High-density polyethylene, PEHD, resin code 2
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a stiff, chemical-resistant polyethylene used in bottles, cans, pipes and crates, widely recycled in India.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a polyethylene with little branching in its molecular chains, which makes it stiffer, stronger and more chemical-resistant than LDPE. Its density is about 0.94-0.97 g/cm3, so it floats in water, and it carries resin identification code 2.
Recycled forms traded
- Post-consumer bottles, cans and drums, sold as bales, regrind or washed flakes.
- Post-industrial scrap from blow moulding and pipe extrusion.
- Recycled granules in blow, injection, film and pipe grades, in natural, mixed colour and black.
Why it matters when buying recycled plastic
- HDPE grades differ widely in flow. Blow moulding and pipe grades have low MFI (usually tested at 190 C / 2.16 kg or higher load), while injection grades flow much more easily.
- Ask whether the source was a blow, injection or film product, since this indicates the likely grade.
- Odour and residual contents from detergent or oil containers can matter for sensitive end uses.
- Separating HDPE from PP needs care; compare them in our PP vs HDPE guide.
Common uses
Bottles and jerry cans, drums, pipes, crates, carry bags, ducts, irrigation products and household articles.