Table of Contents
Reviewed and updated by ICD - Week 44/2026
PE film divides into three families by the density of the base resin: LDPE is soft and flexible, LLDPE is tough and puncture-resistant, HDPE is stiff and thin with a rustling feel; from there it divides by use: pallet stretch film, heat-shrink film, UV-resistant greenhouse film, anti-static film, and by specification such as thickness, width and color. Knowing these three ways of dividing lets you read the specifications of PE film on a quotation and pick the right type for the job.
1. Classification by base resin: LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE
| Family | Density | Film properties | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| LDPE | 0.910 - 0.940 g/cm³ | Soft, clear, easy to heat-seal | Wrapping film, thin bags, shrink film |
| LLDPE | 0.915 - 0.925 g/cm³ | Tough, puncture-resistant, stretches well | Pallet stretch film, greenhouse film, heavy-duty packaging |
| HDPE | from 0.941 g/cm³ | Stiffer, thin film with a rustling feel | Thin supermarket bags, trash bags, liners |
Densities per Wikipedia, section Polyethylene. The difference comes from how the chains branch: LDPE has many branches so it packs loosely, HDPE has few so it packs tightly. For pallet stretch film, LLDPE is preferred because it stretches without tearing and resists puncture at the corners of the load. Bottles, jerrycans and crates are blow-molded HDPE products rather than film, so they are not in this table.
2. Classification by use
Pallet stretch film
It holds the load through elastic force when stretched and clings to itself, needing no glue. It is made mainly from LLDPE; choice of type, thickness and width follows ASTM D4649. When a machine with a pre-stretch unit is used, the film is lengthened before wrapping: stretched 250% it becomes 3.5 times as long, so a 23 micron film thins to about 6.6 micron when hugging the load.
Heat-shrink film
Quite different from pallet stretch film. Shrink film is oriented by stretching during manufacture, so when it meets heat it shrinks tight around the object, used to wrap multipacks of water, book boxes and cosmetic boxes. It needs a heat tunnel or heat gun and cannot be hand-wrapped like stretch film; confusing the two is the most common ordering mistake.
Greenhouse film and UV-resistant film
Greenhouse film and outdoor bed-covering film need a UV stabilizer mixed into the resin. Ordinary PE without it becomes brittle and tears after a long time in the sun, so when buying ask clearly whether it contains a UV additive rather than assuming every PE film withstands sunlight.
Waterproof film
Water resistance is a general property of PE plastic, but the grades used for construction, pond liners or agricultural mulch are much thicker than pallet stretch film; thickness and width are chosen by the project and there is no single standard level.
Anti-static film and bags
There are two types that are often confused. Pink PE bags are PE mixed with an anti-static agent, which lets charge dissipate and prevents static from building up on rubbing, but they do not shield. Black PE bags are mixed with carbon, so they conduct and shield partly, at most about 30%, but have no insulating layer inside. The pink color is only a dye for identification, not from carbon (Antistat). Charge-sensitive components usually need multi-layer shielding bags rather than a single PE layer.
Film with a degradation additive
PE film with an oxidation-promoting additive only breaks into small fragments; it is not biodegradable. EU Directive 2019/904 defines this type as oxo-degradable plastic and bans placing it on the market because it fragments into microplastics and has no proven environmental benefit. Truly biodegradable film is a different group of materials and needs certification to a standard.
| Use | Common base resin | How to recognize it when buying |
|---|---|---|
| Pallet wrapping | LLDPE | Clings to itself, stretches, multi-layer |
| Heat shrink | LDPE or a dedicated shrink resin | Not tacky, needs heat |
| Greenhouse, bed covering | LLDPE, LDPE with UV additive | States UV treatment clearly |
| Anti-static | LDPE with anti-static agent or carbon | Pink or black, with ESD logo |
3. Classification by specification
When ordering, the supplier asks for three basic parameters. Thickness is measured in microns, where 1 micron equals 0.001 mm: ICD Vietnam hand wrap film is 17 micron thick and machine rolls are 20 to 30 micron. Product forms include rolls, sheets and bags; ICD Vietnam pallet stretch film comes in a 500 mm width. Colors include clear, black for hiding goods and colors to order, and printing is possible.
To estimate roll length, a 1.8 kg roll of hand wrap film at 17 micron and 500 mm width is about 230 m long; for the same 14 kg of film, a 17 micron roll is about 35% longer than a 23 micron roll. A rule to remember: the thinner the film, the longer it is for the same weight.
Frequently asked questions
How do heat-shrink film and pallet stretch film differ?
Pallet stretch film clings to itself and holds the load through elastic force when stretched. Heat-shrink film is not tacky and shrinks tight around the object when it meets heat from a gun or tunnel.
How many microns of PE film are enough?
It depends on the application. ICD Vietnam hand wrap film is 17 micron thick, machine rolls 20 to 30 micron. For thickness by load, see also the article on PE film thickness.
How do LDPE, LLDPE and HDPE differ as film?
LDPE is soft and clear, LLDPE is tough and puncture-resistant, HDPE is stiffer and thin with a rustling feel. The difference comes from the degree of chain branching.
How do virgin and recycled PE film differ?
Virgin film is uniform and can reach food grade; recycled film is usually cloudy, may contain impurities and odor, and is not used in direct contact with food.
How do pink and black anti-static PE bags differ?
Pink bags are PE with an anti-static agent and cannot shield. Black bags contain carbon, so they conduct and shield partly, at most about 30%.
Is degradable film biodegradable?
No. Film with an oxidation-promoting additive only breaks into small pieces. The EU bans this type because it creates microplastics.
Contact ICD Vietnam for advice
ICD Vietnam Industrial Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
North: 3rd Floor, Thang Long A1 Building, Bau Hamlet, Thien Loc Commune, Hanoi, 0983 797 186 / 090 345 9186 / 090 5859 186
South: 551/212 Le Van Khuong Street, Tan Thoi Hiep Ward, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City, 098 6784 186
Email: sales@icdvietnam.com.vn
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References
- Wikipedia, Polyethylene (classification by density, melting point, UHMWPE, PEX, 34% market share) - en.wikipedia.org
- ASTM D4649, Standard Guide for Selection and Use of Stretch Wrap Films - astm.org
- Antistat, Choosing the Right ESD Bag (pink anti-static PE and black conductive PE bags) - antistat.com
- Directive (EU) 2019/904 (definition of oxo-degradable plastic and the ban on placing it on the market) - eur-lex.europa.eu
