HDPE Plastic Sheeting- High Density Polyethylene

 The plastic sheeting/ liner referred to as HDPE stands for high density polyethylene. While most think of HDPE as the plastic that food storage containers are made from, HDPE plastic sheeting has many more applications.  It is made into geomembranes that can be flexible, depending on the thickness. HDPE is considered one of the varieties of polyethylene. HDPE is made from petroleum.  It has a high strength-to-density ratio. HDPE is used world wide. It's global consumption manages to increase by nearly 1% annually. In terms of volume, HDPE is the third-largest commodity plastic material in the world after polyvinyl chloride and polypropylene. In many parts of the world, PVC pipe is being replaced with HDPE.  

Some of the cousins of HDPE are,  LDPE (low density polyethylene), MDPE (Medium Density Polyethylene), LLDPE (Linear Low-density polyethylene) and HDPE.  HDPE has many applications because it can be used for projects that require excellent chemical resistance and endurance.

HDPE plastic sheeting can be used for ponds, reserve water storage, canals, landfills, to contain and transport potable water and other liquids, as a waterproof facing for masonry and concrete dams...and the list goes on and on.  The geosynthetic industry uses HDPE plastic sheeting  to protect the environment.  HDPE can protect the environment from petroleum products, hydrocarbons, saltwater, fuel, acids and more. HPDE plastic sheeting is used as a secondary containment liner to collect dangerous liquids from seeping in the ground.

        When do you use HDPE versus LLDPE? 

To see some data on HDPE Plastic Sheeting/ Liners, click here.