Linear Low-Density Polyethylene CAS 25087-34-7
Chelora Chemicals supplies butene, hexene and octene grades of linear low-density polyethylene to film converters, rotomoulders and compounders worldwide. Every consignment leaves with a batch-specific COA covering melt index, density, comonomer type and additive package, the current SDS and full export documentation.
Also known as: LLDPE · PE-LLD · Linear low density PE · Octene LLDPE · Hexene LLDPE
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Price, lead time and a sample COA for Linear Low-Density Polyethylene, usually within one working day. We ship worldwide.
Request a Quote Email the DeskDocumentation
- Batch-specific COA (melt index, density, comonomer)
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- Transport and export documents
- Third-party inspection on request
- Certificate of origin
What is Linear Low-Density Polyethylene?
Linear low-density polyethylene is an ethylene copolymer made with butene, hexene or octene comonomer over a Ziegler-Natta or metallocene catalyst. The short branches lower density without the long chain branching of LDPE.
That linear structure gives much higher tensile, tear and puncture strength than LDPE at the same density, which is why LLDPE dominates stretch film, heavy duty sacks and thin-gauge packaging.
Comonomer choice matters commercially: butene is the economical option, hexene is the mainstream compromise, and octene gives the best toughness and is priced accordingly.
LLDPE is inert, food-contact approved in the right grades, and non-hazardous in handling. It is less forgiving to process than LDPE, which is why most film formulations blend the two.
Why LLDPE specifically
- Linear backbone with short branches. Allows closer chain packing and far better tear and puncture resistance than LDPE.
- Downgauging potential. Higher strength lets converters run thinner film at the same performance, cutting material cost.
- Comonomer tuning. Butene, hexene and octene give progressively better toughness for progressively higher cost.
- Excellent stretch performance. Cling and holding force in stretch film are properties no other polyolefin matches as cheaply.
How Linear Low-Density Polyethylene is Manufactured
LLDPE is made by copolymerising ethylene with an alpha olefin at low pressure, in gas phase, solution or slurry processes.
- Ethylene and comonomer feed. Polymer-grade ethylene is fed with 1-butene, 1-hexene or 1-octene comonomer.
- Catalyst system. Ziegler-Natta, chromium or metallocene catalysts control molecular weight distribution and comonomer placement.
- Gas phase polymerisation. Fluidised bed reactors at 20 to 25 bar and 80 to 100 °C are the dominant route.
- Solution or slurry routes. Solution processes handle octene comonomer well and give fast grade transitions.
- Degassing. Residual monomer and comonomer are stripped from the powder.
- Compounding and pelletising. Antioxidant, slip, antiblock and processing aids are added as the grade requires.
Typical Commercial Specification
Figures below are representative of a general-purpose film grade LLDPE. Each grade has its own data sheet — tell us the application and comonomer and we will send the matching one.
| Parameter | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Translucent cylindrical or lenticular pellets, free of contamination |
| Melt index (190 °C / 2.16 kg) | 0.5 – 50 g/10 min depending on grade |
| Density | 0.915 – 0.925 g/cm³ |
| Comonomer | 1-Butene, 1-hexene or 1-octene to grade |
| Volatiles | 0.05% max |
| Tensile strength at break | Typically 25 – 45 MPa |
| Elongation at break | Typically 600 – 900% |
| Dart drop impact | To grade data sheet |
| Additive package | Antioxidant, slip and antiblock to grade |
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical formula | (C₂H₄)ₙ with alpha olefin comonomer |
| Appearance | Translucent white pellets |
| Density | 0.915 – 0.925 g/cm³ |
| Melting range | About 120 to 125 °C |
| Crystallinity | Typically 35 to 45% |
| Water absorption | Negligible, under 0.01% |
| Chemical resistance | Excellent to acids, alkalis and salts |
| Environmental stress crack resistance | Better than LDPE, below HDPE |
| Processing temperature | Typically 180 to 240 °C |
| Thermal stability | Degrades above about 300 °C |
| Incompatibilities | Strong oxidisers; swelling by aromatic and chlorinated solvents |
Behaviour in the process
LLDPE processes differently from LDPE, and most difficulties on changeover come from that difference:
- Lower melt strength. Bubble stability is poorer than LDPE, requiring different die gaps, cooling and often a blend.
- Higher motor load. Narrower molecular weight distribution raises extruder pressure and power demand at the same output.
- Melt fracture. Sharkskin can appear at high shear rates; processing aids and wider die gaps address it.
- Superior toughness. The payoff for all of the above is dart impact and tear strength well above LDPE.
LLDPE Grades and Alternative Polyethylenes
LLDPE is bought by melt index, density and comonomer, and all three change the result.
| Material | Origin / type | When it is the right choice |
|---|---|---|
| Butene LLDPE | C4 comonomer | General purpose film, liners and economical applications |
| Hexene LLDPE | C6 comonomer | Mainstream film with better toughness; the volume compromise |
| Octene LLDPE | C8 comonomer | Premium film and stretch film where toughness justifies the cost |
| Metallocene LLDPE | Narrow distribution, any comonomer | Thin gauge, high clarity, high strength film |
| LDPE | CAS 9002-88-4, branched | Processability, melt strength and clarity; usually blended with LLDPE |
Stated plainly: the comonomer ladder from butene to octene buys toughness for money, and the right rung depends on how thin you are trying to run. Blending with LDPE is almost always part of the answer in blown film.
Industries We Supply Linear Low-Density Polyethylene To
LLDPE serves packaging, agriculture, rotomoulding and industrial applications.
Where Linear Low-Density Polyethylene is Used
Film applications dominate LLDPE, with stretch film and heavy duty sacks the largest single segments.
In stretch film
LLDPE's combination of elongation, cling and puncture resistance is what makes pallet wrapping work. Octene and metallocene grades allow the thinnest gauges, and cast film lines using multilayer coextrusion let converters put cling on one side and release on the other. Comonomer type is the single biggest lever on holding force at a given gauge.
In rotomoulding
Rotomoulding grades are specified by melt index and by powder flow rather than by film properties, because the resin is ground to powder and melted statically rather than extruded. Hexene grades dominate because they balance impact strength against the long heating cycle, which punishes poorly stabilised resin.
Need a specific grade, purity and packing format?
Tell us the grade, the application, melt index, density and comonomer your line needs, the packing format you can receive and the annual quantity. We will come back with a price, a lead time, a sample COA and the full documentation set.
Quality Control & Testing
Every lot is released against a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis with the grade's defining properties, so your incoming inspection can release against the actual material.
- Melt index — at 190 °C and 2.16 kg, the primary processing indicator.
- Density — defining stiffness and the grade family.
- Comonomer type and content — reported because it drives toughness at a given density.
- Volatiles and ash — confirming freedom from residual monomer and contamination.
- Mechanical properties — dart impact and tear strength to the grade data sheet.
- Pellet appearance — confirming freedom from black specks, fines and angel hair.
Common Process Problems & Likely Causes
When LLDPE causes trouble, it is usually grade or comonomer substitution, melt fracture or contamination. This table is the shortcut our technical desk works through before anyone opens a complaint file.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Bubble unstable in blown film | Lower melt strength than LDPE or the previous grade | Melt index, blend ratio and die gap |
| Sharkskin or melt fracture on the film surface | High shear rate at the die lip | Die gap, processing aid and output rate |
| Extruder motor load high | Narrow molecular weight distribution of the grade | Melt index, screw design and temperature profile |
| Dart impact below target | Comonomer type changed, or density drift | Comonomer and density against the previous COA |
| Stretch film holding force low | Grade or comonomer substitution | Comonomer type and film line settings |
| Black specks or gels | Contamination or degraded material in the line | Pellet appearance, purging and screw condition |
Packaging, Storage & Shipping
- Standard packing. 25 kg bags, 500 to 1250 kg jumbo bags, octabins and bulk containers or silo trucks.
- Storage. Dry, covered warehousing away from direct sunlight.
- Temperature. Ambient storage; avoid prolonged exposure above 40 °C to prevent pellet blocking.
- Conveying. Control velocity to limit fines and angel hair, which cause gels and die build-up.
- Grade segregation. Keep comonomer types clearly separated; mixing butene and octene grades produces inconsistent film.
- Contamination control. Clean silos and lines between grades; carry-over is a common cause of gels.
- Shelf life. Typically 24 months in sealed bags in covered storage.
- Transport classification. Not classified as dangerous goods for transport.
Hazards & Safe Handling
LLDPE is an inert polymer with no significant health hazard in normal handling. The practical concerns are molten polymer burns, pellet slip hazards and fume from overheating.
- Inert in normal handling. Not classified as hazardous. Pellets present no chemical risk in storage or transport.
- Molten polymer burns. Melt at 180 to 240 °C adheres to skin and causes severe burns; use proper PPE at the extruder.
- Thermal decomposition fumes. Overheating above about 300 °C releases hydrocarbons and irritating fumes; ventilate processing areas.
- Slip hazard. Spilled pellets are a serious slip hazard; clean up promptly.
- Dust and fines. Polyethylene dust is combustible in high concentration; maintain extraction and housekeeping.
- Environment. Pellet loss to the environment is a recognised marine litter source; containment at every transfer point is expected practice.
Regulatory & Compliance Notes
LLDPE is unregulated for transport, with food contact and packaging rules applying downstream. The notes below are orientation rather than legal advice.
- GHS classification. Not classified as hazardous.
- Transport. Not classified as dangerous goods. Standard packaged and bulk cargo documentation applies.
- Food contact. Food grades must comply with EU 10/2011, FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 or equivalent, with declarations of compliance supplied.
- Polymer exemption. Polymers are exempt from REACH registration, though monomers, comonomers and additives are not.
- Packaging waste regulation. Downstream packaging faces recyclability and recycled content requirements in a growing number of markets.
- Pellet loss prevention. Operation Clean Sweep and equivalent programmes set expectations for pellet containment at handling sites.
We Supply Linear Low-Density Polyethylene Worldwide
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and export partner, not a single-plant trader. We ship Linear Low-Density Polyethylene from India and from partner sources to customers across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and North and South America, handling the export documentation, transport paperwork and freight so the material arrives ready to use.
- Incoterms. EXW, FOB, CIF, CFR and DAP quoted to suit your purchasing terms and freight arrangements.
- Ports. Regular shipments through Nhava Sheva (JNPT) and Mundra, with other ports arranged where routing and cargo rules allow.
- Documentation. Commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, COA, SDS and the transport declaration issued as a complete set.
- Flexible volumes. From a pallet of bagged resin up to repeat bulk shipments on a supply contract.
- Supply continuity. Because we are independent of any one producer, a plant turnaround or a shipping disruption at one source does not have to become your stock-out.
Buying Linear Low-Density Polyethylene from Chelora
We are an independent sourcing and supply partner. For LLDPE that means settling three things at enquiry: the comonomer type your performance target requires, the melt index and density for your line, and whether food contact documentation is needed.
- Documentation on every lot. Batch-specific COA (melt index, density, comonomer), plus SDS and the full transport paperwork.
- Analysis before commitment. Representative analysis shared ahead of a commercial order so your lab can qualify the material.
- Quantities. From a pallet of bagged resin through to full bulk shipments on contract supply.
- Grade matching. Butene, hexene, octene or metallocene LLDPE at the melt index and density your application requires.
- Inspection. Independent third-party inspection available at loading when the contract requires it.
- Related products. Low-Density Polyethylene, High-Density Polyethylene, Linear Alpha Olefins and other feedstocks alongside Linear Low-Density Polyethylene from one supplier.
How ordering works
- Send the enquiry. Product, grade or purity, quantity, destination port and the Incoterm you buy on. If you have a spec sheet, attach it — it saves a round trip.
- We quote. Price, lead time, packing format and a sample COA, normally within one working day.
- Qualify the supply. For first orders or critical applications, we share the analysis and handling documentation so your technical and safety teams can sign off before you commit.
- Confirm the order. Proforma invoice issued; payment terms agreed against the volume and the relationship.
- Allocation and QC. Material allocated and released against a batch-specific COA, with an independent inspection where the contract calls for it.
- Ship and document. Filled, labelled and loaded with the full export document set, and tracked through to arrival.
Linear Low-Density Polyethylene — Common Questions
The questions our technical desk is asked most often about Linear Low-Density Polyethylene. If yours isn't here, call or email and you will reach someone who knows the chemistry.
What is the CAS number of LLDPE?
LLDPE as an ethylene-alpha olefin copolymer is commonly given CAS 25087-34-7, and polyethylene generally is 9002-88-4. It is classified under HS code 3901.40.
What is LLDPE used for?
Mainly for film: stretch film, heavy duty sacks, agricultural film, liners and geomembranes. It is also used for rotomoulded tanks and containers and for injection moulded housewares.
Do you supply LLDPE worldwide?
Yes. Chelora Chemicals supplies and exports LLDPE worldwide — across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, as well as throughout India, in bags, jumbo bags, octabins and bulk.
What is the difference between butene, hexene and octene LLDPE?
The comonomer length. Butene is the most economical, hexene the mainstream compromise, and octene gives the best dart impact and tear strength at the highest price. At equal melt index and density they still perform differently.
How is LLDPE manufactured?
By copolymerising ethylene with 1-butene, 1-hexene or 1-octene over Ziegler-Natta, chromium or metallocene catalysts at low pressure, usually in gas phase fluidised bed reactors, sometimes in solution or slurry processes.
Why is LLDPE blended with LDPE?
Because LLDPE has higher strength but lower melt strength. Blending gives bubble stability, clarity and sealing from the LDPE with tear and puncture resistance from the LLDPE. Most commercial blown film uses both.
What causes sharkskin on LLDPE film?
Melt fracture at the die lip from high shear rate, a consequence of LLDPE's narrow molecular weight distribution. Widening the die gap, adding a fluoropolymer processing aid or reducing output usually resolves it.
Is LLDPE food contact approved?
Specific grades are, under EU 10/2011, FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 and equivalent regimes. The grade and its additive package determine compliance, and we supply the declaration with food-contact grades.
Is LLDPE hazardous?
No. It is an inert polymer not classified as dangerous goods. The practical hazards are burns from molten polymer, fume from overheating and the slip hazard of spilled pellets.
How should LLDPE be stored?
In dry, covered warehousing away from direct sunlight at ambient temperature, with comonomer types clearly separated because mixed storage produces inconsistent film performance.
What packing sizes are available?
25 kg bags, 500 to 1250 kg jumbo bags, octabins and bulk containers or silo trucks. Orders run from a pallet of bagged resin up to full bulk shipments.
What is metallocene LLDPE?
LLDPE made with single-site metallocene catalysts, giving a narrower molecular weight distribution and more uniform comonomer placement. It allows thinner gauges with better clarity and strength, at a price premium and with a narrower processing window.
Ready to source Linear Low-Density Polyethylene?
Send us your specification, grade and annual volume. You will get a price, a realistic lead time and a sample COA from someone who understands what the material has to do in your process — delivered anywhere in the world.