Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is the first grade of polyethylene developed in 1935. It has a density in the range of 0.910 g/cc to 0.940 g/cc, resulting in low tensile strength and increased ductility. LDPE also has high levels of clarity compared to other plastics such as High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC).
This makes it preferable for use as film applications in food packaging, which requires high transparency and moderate strength.

The major sectors that consume LDPE are packaging, construction and automotive, accounting for 80% of the global LDPE demand in 2010. LLDPE is gradually replacing LDPE in many applications due to its lower cost and higher strength but LDPE is still used widely in extrusion coating because of its ease of processing.
Demand for LDPE is growing at a slow pace with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.5% in the period 2000-2010.
The growth of LDPE demand can be attributed solely to the Chinese market which is the largest consumer of LDPE
and accounted for 32% of the demand in 2010.

Trade Report November 2011