Life Cycle Assessment
Polyethylene and Polypropylene
Both Polypropylene (PP) and Polyethylene (PE) are excellent materials for composite wood decking, but there are significant differences between them.
Firstly, there is a difference between the hardness of both materials. Polyethylene (PE) is tough yet light, with good resistance to impacts and abrasions. On the other hand, Polypropylene is harder and can be used for mechanical and structural applications.
Polyethylene (PE) Production
Well over 80 million tonnes of poly(ethene), often known as polyethylene and polythene, is manufactured each year making it the world's most important plastic. This accounts for over 60% of the ethene manufactured each year.
It is a linear, man-made, addition, homo-polymer, primarily used for packaging (plastic bags, plastic films, geomembranes, containers including bottles, etc.).
Application of PE: Toys, films, Pipes, Tubes, Containers, bottles
Polypropylene (PP) Production
Production of polypropylene takes place by slurry, solution or gas phase process, in which the propylene monomer is subjected to heat and pressure in the presence of a catalyst system. Polymerisation is achieved at relatively low temperature and pressure and the product yielded is translucent, but readily coloured.
Polypropylene is a very useful plastic for injection molding. In addition to the conventional plastic applications, polypropylene also lends itself well in fiber applications, which give it even a wider range of uses that goes beyond just injection molding, including: ropes, carpets, upholstery, clothing, and the like.
Application of PP: Drinking/milk bottles, Beach’s chair; Swimming pool’s pumps, Hard cover luggage, Car bumper
