LLDPE vs LDPE Plastic: What’s the Difference?

While both are made from high-quality PCR recycled materials, the main difference between multi-purpose LLDPE film and LLDPE food safe resin lies in how they’re sourced processed, and ultimately used.

Multi-purpose FDA compliant plastic film is engineered for general industrial and commercial packaging applications, while LLDPE food safe resin is sourced exclusively from FDA-vetted, food-contact-approved distribution centers and processed on dedicated food safe production lines.

LLDPE food safe resin is a high-performance, FDA-compliant plastic specifically designed for food grade packaging applications. Made from post-commercial shrink wrap and film collected only from vetted food packaging suppliers, this lldpe plastic aligns with strict food packaging materials standards.

Yes. Natura PCR’s LLDPE food safe resin is a fully FDA compliant plastic and meets the requirements for direct food contact (less than 3% contamination). All feedstock is sourced from approved food distribution centers, where materials are certified safe for reuse. Each bale is individually inspected and graded. If contamination exceeds 3%, the bale is repurposed to create multi-purpose LLDPE film. LLDPE food grade bags for food packaging are ideal for sustainable, high-quality polymer compounding in direct contact with goods like small food packaging, sandwich bags, produce film and shrink wrap for food packaging containers.

LLDPE food grade resin pellets are ideal for manufacturers looking to create sustainable, high-quality polymer compounding products that meet FDA standards. These plastic recycling pellets are used in linear low density polyethylene film applications such as food packaging bags, clear produce film, shrink wrap for palletized food goods and grocery store flexible packaging.

This PCR plastic offers an eco-friendly food packaging to virgin polyethylene pellets while maintaining strict regulatory (and performance) standards.

​​The process begins with collecting materials exclusively from carefully vetted food packaging suppliers, such as grocery and food retail locations. These materials are stored on pallets in segregated food-grade silos to prevent contamination.

Once grade is qualified, the film undergoes washing, drying and extrusion using machinery reserved for food safe resin. Before extrusion, all equipment undergoes deep sanitation and line changeovers to prevent cross-contamination with non-food materials. Following extrusion, the polyethylene resin undergoes devolatilization for further purification.

From only using food packaging suppliers to enforcing meticulous quality standards at every stage of production, we create eco-friendly food packaging materials that exceed rigorous FDA standards.

Devolatilization is a high-temperature purification process that removes volatile compounds, residual odors and impurities from recycled plastic pellets. For food safe resin, it’s essential — ensuring the final product doesn’t retain any off-odors or substances that could affect the flavor, safety or integrity of packaged goods.

During this process, the material passes through a post-crystallization unit (PCU)  (also known as a devolatilizer) which heats the resin and draws out unwanted gases through an exhaust system.

Devolatilization ensures the end product is a resin that food packaging suppliers can always be 100% certain protects the planet and consumers alike.

Natura PCR works exclusively with vetted retail partners (like H-E-B and other select food distributors) through structured recycling programs managed by our waste management partner. Only film collected from locations that handle food products is accepted for use in our LLDPE food safe resins.

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Our LLDPE food safe resin must meet a contamination threshold of 3% or less. If a bale exceeds this limit, it’s automatically downgraded to a multi-purpose grade. This high standard ensures the final resin polyethylene is safe for food contact and food and beverage packaging.

If any bale fails to meet food-grade criteria, it is immediately downgraded and used to create general-use multi-purpose LLDPE film.

Once processed, food-grade polyethylene pellets are packed in FDA compliant plastic packaging materials such as gaylords, supersacks or smaller sample quantities. The pellets are stored in designated food-safe silos and staging areas to prevent contamination.

Natura PCR’s food safe resin is designed for FDA-compliant packaging applications, ensuring safety, purity and consistent performance. Key specifications include:

• Melt Flow Index (190°C / 2.16kg): 0.6–1.5 g/10 min
• Density: 0.917–0.920 g/cm³
• Contamination Level: ≤3% (visual)
• Moisture Content: <0.30%
• Color: Clear / Natural (food-safe)
• Form: Pelletized
• Tensile Strength: 14–22 MPa (minimum)
• Elongation at Break: 300–600% (typical)

Multi-purpose LLDPE film is a tough, durable polyethylene resin engineered for applications that require flexibility with added strength. Unlike LDPE, which has a highly branched structure, linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) has short, uniform branches. This molecular structure boosts tensile strength and puncture resistance.

Multi-purpose LLDPE film is a go-to material for high-performance, strength-driven applications across the industrial packaging space. It is widely used in polymer compounding as a sustainable alternative to virgin plastic resin pellets. Its flexibility and resilience make it ideal for shrink wrap on pallets, stretch film for secure transport and flexible packaging for various products. This polyethylene resin is also commonly used to manufacture heavy-duty liners where picture strength is crucial.

The raw materials used to create multi-purpose LLDPE film come from a reliable and traceable network of major retailers and commercial distribution centers, including brands like Amazon, Walmart and Ashley Furniture.

Once collected, the baled film is staged in our facility and processed through a rigorous recycling and extrusion process. The material is washed, dried, melted and pelletized using the same machinery as other non-food grade resins.

Our contamination threshold for LLDPE multi-purpose resin is capped at 10%, though in practice, our contamination rate is often much lower — typically around 5%.

Through total partnership with our suppliers, we can identigy, report and mitigate issues through corrective action reports and ensure total control over input quality.

Natura PCR’s multi-purpose LLDPE film is engineered for demanding applications that require both strength and flexibility. Key specifications include:

• Melt Flow Index (190°C / 2.16kg): 0.5–2.0 g/10 min
• Density: 0.917–0.925 g/cm³
• Contamination Level: ≤10% (visual)
• Moisture Content: <0.50%
• Color: Mixed (available in natural and custom colors)
• Form: Pelletized
• Tensile Strength: 12–20 MPa (minimum)
• Elongation at Break: 500–800% (typical)

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LDPE, or low density polyethylene resin, is a lightweight, flexible and durable polyethylene resin used in a wide range of consumer and industrial applications. At Natura PCR, our LDPE multi-purpose grade is a PCR recycled material — meaning it’s made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials sourced from meticulously vetted commercial partners. LDPE resin polyethylene offers a more sustainable, circular solution to virgin plastic resin pellets without sacrificing practical performance.

Low density polyethylene resin is best suited for applications that prioritize flexibility over tensile strength. This includes everyday and disposable packaging items like plastic bags, LDPE polythene wraps, bubble wrap, recycled plastic pellets for tubing and ring carriers for six-packs.

LDPE is also used in polymer compounding for less demanding product applications that don’t require the rigidity or high impact resistance found in materials like high density polyethylene pellets. LDPE multi-purpose grade is a preferred material for converters and polypropylene manufacturers in the USA looking for efficient, eco-conscious plastic solutions.

Our LDPE pellets are manufactured through a closed-loop PCR recycling process. First, clean and consistent post-commercial film is collected from vetted retailers. This feedstock is then baled, sorted and subjected to a rigorous decontamination and extrusion process. Using state-of-the-art optical cameras, washing systems and filtration technologies, we remove up to 90% of impurities before converting the material into high-quality plastic resin pellets. These LDPE pellets are then tested and classified based on application requirements and end-use functionality.

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Unlike typical plastic recycling pellets that rely on residential recycling streams, Natura PCR sources LDPE polyethylene film exclusively from commercial retailers with a consistent stream of post-use film. This includes store locations like Rooms to Go, Ashley Furniture, Amazon warehouses and Walmart stores, where clear film wrap from shipping and stocking processes is collected, baled and transported to our facility through our partnership with waste management companies. This feedstock typically consists of shrink wrap, clear plastic film and other uniform materials used in shipping and stocking.

Because this material comes from known, repeatable sources, we can monitor and manage the contamination profile with precision. Unlike other PCR recycled materials, which often contain unpredictable items like paper labels, food residue, diapers or even sharp objects — our LDPE polyethylene film feedstock is cleaner from the start. The result? Fewer contaminants, better performance and less variability in the finished LDPE pellets.

The LDPE melting point typically ranges between 105°C and 115°C, which makes it ideal for low-temperature processing environments and everyday packaging production. This relatively low melting range enhances ease of molding and extrusion, making LDPE a reliable material for applications where thermal efficiency and pliability are essential.

Our LDPE multi-purpose grade is not currently classified as a food-safe resin. However, our LLDPE food-grade resin is made exclusively from FDA-compliant post-commercial feedstock collected from food distribution centers. These materials go through a stricter grading and segregation process and are processed on designated food-grade equipment.

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With our advanced quality control processes, we eliminate up to 90% of these contaminants to deliver consistent and reliable polyethylene pellets.

The most common contaminants in LDPE plastic resin pellets include paper labels (cellulose), small bits of foam or cardboard from packaging, and occasional wood fragments from furniture deliveries. Unlike residential streams, which may contain food waste or hazardous materials, our commercial feedstock is far cleaner.

Yes. Our team’s custom polymer synthesis service and polymer compounding help our clients meet any unique mechanical or processing specifications. Whether you're looking to match a specific melt flow rate, adjust color or optimize for strength, we offer collaborative R&D support tailored to your application needs.

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Natura PCR’s LDPE recycled plastic pellets are designed for versatility and everyday performance. Key specifications include:

• Melt Flow Index (190°C / 2.16kg): 0.20–0.60 g/10 min
• Density: 0.920–0.925 g/cm³
• Contamination Level: ≤10% (visual)
• Moisture Content: <0.50%
• Color: Mixed
• Form: Pelletized

These LDPE pellets offer consistent performance for converters looking for reliable polyethylene resin in flexible packaging, film extrusion, and molded goods.

Download the full spec sheet