With over 100 million tons produced annually or 34% of the total plastic production worldwide, polyethylene (PE) is the most common plastic in use. The main application of PE are packaging (bags, sheets, storage containers, bottles, geomembranes), but also in medical, automotive and other industries.
It has excellent chemical resistance, including to strong acids or bases, and is resistant to mild oxidizers and reducing agents. Polyethylene is not water absorbent.