Polyethylene (PE) is a thermoplastic resin made by polymerization of ethylene. Industrially, it also includes ethylene and a small amount of α- Copolymers of olefins. Polyethylene is odorless, non-toxic, and feels like wax. It has excellent low-temperature resistance (the minimum service temperature can reach – 100 ~ – 70 ° C), good chemical stability, and can resist most acid and alkali attacks (not resistant to acids with oxidizing properties). It is insoluble in general solvents at normal temperature, with small water absorption and excellent electrical insulation.
The utilization rate of polyethylene production capacity in China is high, and it is maintained at about 90% all the year round. With the development of China’s economy, the demand of polyethylene market increases rapidly, and the output also increases. In recent years, China’s polyethylene production capacity and output have maintained an increasing trend. China’s polyethylene production is about 22.72 million tons, with a year-on-year increase of 11.8%, and the output will exceed 30 million tons.
The apparent consumption of polyethylene gradually increased. In 2021, the apparent consumption of polyethylene in China decreased to 37.365 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 3.2%. It is mainly due to the impact of the epidemic situation and energy consumption control, and some downstream factories suspend or reduce the production load. With the improvement of self-sufficiency, PE import dependence will gradually decrease. In the future, with the improvement of the epidemic situation and the steady growth of the domestic economy, PE demand will continue to increase. It is expected to gradually recover in 2022, increasing to 39 million tons.
Properties: tasteless, odorless, non-toxic, opalescent, waxy particles with a density of about 0.920 g/cm3 and a melting point of 130 ℃~145 ℃. Insoluble in water, slightly soluble in hydrocarbons, etc. It can resist the corrosion of most acids and alkalis, has low water absorption, can still maintain flexibility at low temperatures, and has high electrical insulation.
Post time: Sep-06-2022