LDPE Manufacture Technology Description
Online LDPE Data: Manufacture, Uses and Applications
Intratec Chemical Process Library is the first free online encyclopedia of chemical process technologies. Our Library covers not only processes description themselves, but also the economics surrounding chemicals production, providing real-world knowledge on the production of several chemical commodities. Click here to check all chemicals covered.
In this page you will find free data about Vinyl Acetate, including:
- What is LDPE
- How to make LDPE
- LDPE uses and applications
This page presents brief synopsis of LDPE production technology, describing, in a concise way, relevant technical and economic aspects. Each manufacturing process description will consist of:
- Major process steps
- Simplified, schematic flow diagram & key equipment
- Important safety or environmental considerations
- Economic perspective, comprising capital expenditures and/or operating expenses
All content from Intratec's Chemical Process Library was produced based on reports published by Intratec. To learn more about LDPE production processes presented below and others examined in Intratec reports, click here.
LDPE Manufacture
Polyethylene (PE) is the world's largest-volume commodity polymer, due in large part to the widespread availability of ethane, the raw material for manufacturing ethylene, as well as ethylene’s relatively low cost and broad range of applications. Lowdensity polyethylene (LDPE) is one of the three main types of polyethylene. The other two are high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and linear lowdensity polyethylene (LLDPE). LDPE differs from HDPE and LLDPE primarily in its unique molecular structure — large amounts of long-chain branching impart the material with different rheological behavior in both shear and extension.
Technology Description
The following paragraphs describe a high-pressure polymerization process for LDPE production, using tubular reactors. The figure below presents a simplified flow diagram of the process.

Compression
Fresh polymer-grade ethylene is mixed with ...
Reaction
TThe compressed ethylene is divided into several streams ...
Separation
The reactor outlet is expanded to ...
Extrusion and pelletizing
The molten polymer and additives are fed to ...
VAM production pathways
VLDPE production involves the ...
Economic Performance
The total operating cost (raw materials, utilities, fixed costs and depreciation costs) estimated to produce LDPE was about ...

To access this full article and its images create an account for free or login here.
This synopsis is based on the report LDPE via High-Pressure Tubular Process - Cost Analysis | LDPE E11A. (For more information, Click here).