What is rLDPE (recycled Low-Density Polyethylene)

rLDPE stands for recycled Low-Density Polyethylene. It is a recycled thermoplastic material obtained from previously processed LDPE products or production waste. Through recycling and reprocessing, used polyethylene can be transformed into reusable plastic granules, also known as regranulate or recyclate.

LDPE is widely used in the plastics and packaging industries because of its low density, flexibility, elasticity and good tear resistance. Recycling suitable LDPE materials makes it possible to recover these valuable resources and return them to the manufacturing process instead of disposing of them as waste.

Recycled LDPE granules can be used to manufacture a variety of plastic products, including garbage bags, protective covers, packaging films and construction films. The properties of the finished material depend on the quality and origin of the input material, the recycling process and the intended application.

At our company, we focus on the reprocessing of clean LDPE production waste. By using carefully selected raw materials and our own regeneration facility, we produce high-quality recycled LDPE granules designed for further processing into durable plastic products.

How Are rLDPE Granules Produced?

The production of recycled LDPE granules involves several processing steps designed to recover usable polyethylene and prepare it for reuse. Depending on the source material and the recycling method, these steps may include sorting, shredding, washing, drying, melting, filtration and extrusion.

Our process focuses on the recovery and reprocessing of selected LDPE production waste. This allows us to reuse suitable material generated during manufacturing and return it to the production cycle.

1. Collection and Selection of LDPE Waste

The first step is the collection and selection of suitable LDPE material. The quality of the input material is essential because it directly influences the consistency and performance of the resulting recyclate.

We use unprinted, additive-free LDPE films generated during production. Selecting this type of material helps us maintain a controlled raw material stream and reduces the risk of unwanted colour variations and contamination associated with mixed or heavily printed waste.

2. Preparation and Processing

The selected LDPE material is prepared for reprocessing. Depending on its condition and the requirements of the process, preparation may involve cutting or shredding the film into smaller pieces to facilitate further processing.

The prepared material is then processed through the appropriate regeneration steps. Mechanical recycling typically involves melting the polyethylene and converting it into a form that can be used again in plastics manufacturing.

3. In-House Regeneration

Our LDPE production waste is processed in our own regeneration facility. This in-house approach allows us to keep the recycling process closely connected to our manufacturing operations and to maintain control over the selected input material and its reprocessing.

By recovering suitable production waste directly, we can reduce the amount of material that leaves our production cycle as waste and create a reusable raw material for new products.

4. Extrusion and Granulation

During mechanical reprocessing, the LDPE material is melted and processed through an extrusion system. The molten polymer can be filtered, where appropriate, to remove solid impurities before being formed into granules.

These granules are known as rLDPE granules, regranulate or recyclate. They can subsequently be used as a raw material in suitable plastics manufacturing processes, depending on their technical properties and the requirements of the finished product.

5. Reuse in New Plastic Products

The resulting recycled LDPE granules can be reintroduced into the production of suitable plastic products. Typical applications include garbage bags, protective films and construction films, where flexibility, strength and tear resistance are important.

The performance of the final product depends on the material grade, processing conditions, film thickness and intended use.

Our rLDPE: High-Quality Post-Industrial Recycled Material

Our rLDPE granules are made from clean, unprinted and additive-free LDPE production waste. Rather than relying on mixed household plastic waste, we use selected material generated during manufacturing and reprocess it in our in-house regeneration facility.

This material is classified as post-industrial recycled material (PIR) because it originates from production and manufacturing processes before reaching the end consumer.

The controlled origin of the material offers several practical advantages. Unprinted films reduce the risk of unwanted colour transfer, while the use of selected production waste helps limit the introduction of foreign materials associated with mixed waste streams.

Our approach is designed to produce a consistent recycled raw material that can be used in suitable film and packaging applications. The exact colour, mechanical performance and processing characteristics depend on the input material and the applicable production specifications.

By integrating recycling into our own production processes, we combine resource recovery with practical manufacturing experience. This enables us to turn suitable LDPE production waste into a valuable raw material for new plastic products.

Properties of Recycled LDPE Granules

Recycled LDPE granules retain many of the useful characteristics associated with Low-Density Polyethylene. Their precise properties depend on the original material, the regeneration process and the number of previous processing cycles.

Flexibility and Elasticity

LDPE is known for its flexible and elastic behaviour. Depending on the quality of the recyclate and the processing conditions, rLDPE can provide the flexibility needed for many film-based products.

This is particularly important for garbage bags, protective covers and construction films, which must adapt to different shapes and withstand everyday handling.

Good Tear Resistance

Tear resistance is an important performance characteristic for flexible plastic products. Properly processed rLDPE can offer good resistance to tearing and mechanical stress, making it suitable for a range of packaging and protective applications.

Actual tear resistance depends on the recyclate quality, film formulation, thickness and manufacturing process. Product-specific testing can be used to verify performance where defined technical requirements apply.

Mechanical Stability

Recycled LDPE can provide useful mechanical strength for applications in which durability and reliable handling are required.

Our focus on selected, unprinted production waste helps support a controlled material input. Nevertheless, recycled material properties may differ from those of virgin LDPE, so the suitability of a particular grade should be assessed against the requirements of the intended product.

Consistent Material Quality

Using a controlled source of production waste can help reduce unwanted variations in colour and composition compared with recycling mixed post-consumer plastics.

The quality of the finished granules also depends on process control, material separation and the effectiveness of any filtration or other purification steps used during regeneration.

For this reason, our approach focuses on suitable input material and in-house processing to support the production of high-quality recycled LDPE.

Processability

rLDPE granules can be used as a raw material in suitable plastics manufacturing processes, including film extrusion. The processing parameters may need to be adjusted according to the material grade and the desired product properties.

Factors such as melt flow behaviour, temperature, film thickness and extrusion conditions influence the final performance of the product.

Advantages of Using rLDPE

Recycled LDPE offers both material-related and resource-related benefits. By reusing suitable production waste, manufacturers can recover valuable raw materials and reduce their reliance on virgin polyethylene.

The main advantages include:

• Resource conservation: Reuses existing polyethylene instead of relying exclusively on virgin raw materials.
• Reduced production waste: Returns suitable manufacturing waste to the production cycle.
• Potential energy savings: Mechanical recycling can require less energy than producing virgin polymer from primary raw materials, depending on the process and comparison used.
• Potentially lower greenhouse gas emissions: Replacing virgin material with recycled LDPE can reduce emissions, depending on the recycling process, energy source, transport and material substitution achieved.
• Efficient material utilisation: Helps make better use of resources already present in the manufacturing process.
• Cost-effective material option: Can offer an economical alternative to virgin LDPE for suitable applications.
• Versatile applications: Can be used in a range of film and packaging products, depending on the technical requirements.
• Support for circular material flows: Keeps suitable polyethylene material in use for longer instead of treating it as waste after its first production cycle.

The actual environmental benefits depend on the specific recycling process, material quality, energy consumption and the amount of virgin material displaced.

Applications of rLDPE Granules

Recycled LDPE granules are used in various applications where the material can meet the required mechanical and processing specifications.

Garbage Bags and Waste Bags

Garbage bags are a common application for recycled LDPE. The material can provide the flexibility and tear resistance required for collecting and handling everyday waste.

Depending on the grade and product formulation, rLDPE can be used to manufacture bags for household, commercial and industrial waste. The appropriate material specification depends on the required load capacity, film thickness and resistance to tearing or puncturing.

Cover Films and Protective Films

rLDPE can be used in the manufacture of cover films designed to protect goods, equipment and surfaces from dust, dirt and moisture.

Its flexibility allows the film to conform to different shapes, while its mechanical properties can provide practical protection during storage and handling.

Construction Films

Construction films are used in a variety of building and renovation applications. Depending on the recyclate grade and applicable technical requirements, rLDPE can be suitable for selected construction films, protective covers and other non-critical film applications.

The material must be matched to the intended use, particularly where defined requirements for thickness, durability, moisture protection or mechanical performance apply.

Industrial Packaging

Recycled LDPE granules can also be used in selected industrial packaging products. These may include protective packaging, liners and films intended to help secure or cover goods during storage and transport.

The suitability of rLDPE depends on the required product performance and the specifications of the finished packaging.

rLDPE vs. Virgin LDPE: What Is the Difference?

Virgin LDPE is manufactured from newly produced polymer raw material, while rLDPE is obtained by recycling and reprocessing previously manufactured LDPE material.

Both materials can offer the characteristic flexibility associated with Low-Density Polyethylene. However, their properties are not necessarily identical.

Virgin LDPE typically offers properties defined by the selected polymer grade and formulation. Recycled LDPE properties also depend on the origin of the recovered material, its processing history and the quality of the regeneration process.

Our rLDPE is produced from selected, unprinted and additive-free LDPE production waste. This controlled input stream helps reduce the variability associated with mixed waste materials and supports the production of recycled granules for suitable applications.

The choice between virgin LDPE and rLDPE depends on the technical requirements, appearance, processing conditions, cost considerations and any applicable regulatory requirements of the finished product.

rLDPE and Food Contact

Although virgin LDPE is widely used in food packaging, recycled LDPE must be assessed separately for food-contact applications.

Food-contact suitability depends on the source of the recycled material, the recycling process, the material composition and the applicable legal requirements. The fact that the input material is clean, unprinted and additive-free does not by itself establish that the resulting recyclate is approved for direct food contact.

Our rLDPE should therefore be used for food-contact applications only where the relevant material and process meet the applicable requirements and the necessary compliance documentation is available.

Our Commitment to Resource Efficiency

By regenerating suitable LDPE production waste in-house, we aim to make more efficient use of the raw materials already present in our manufacturing operations.

Instead of treating clean production waste as a material with no further value, we reprocess it into recycled granules that can be used in new products. This approach helps reduce waste, supports the recovery of valuable polyethylene and contributes to more circular material use.

Our focus on selected production waste also allows us to work with a more controlled input stream than would generally be possible with mixed household plastics.

The result is a recycled raw material designed for suitable applications where resource efficiency, cost-effectiveness and practical material performance are important.

Conclusion: Why Choose Our rLDPE Granules?

Our recycled LDPE granules provide a practical alternative to virgin LDPE for suitable film and packaging applications. Produced from clean, unprinted and additive-free LDPE production waste in our in-house regeneration facility, they support the recovery and reuse of valuable polyethylene resources.

The resulting recyclate can be used in products such as garbage bags, cover films and construction films, provided that the material meets the relevant technical requirements.

By combining controlled material selection with in-house regeneration, we aim to deliver a high-quality recycled raw material while reducing production waste and supporting more resource-efficient manufacturing.

Our rLDPE granules help turn suitable LDPE production waste into a reusable resource for new plastic products.

Other properties:

Water Vapor Permeability PE

Oxygen Permeability PE

Material Restistance LDPE

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