LDPE and High EVA Resin Technologies
High-pressure low-density polyethylene (HP-LDPE or LDPE) and copolymers of LDPE with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) are manufactured in a high-pressure reactor. Although this manufacturing process has traditionally been higher cost and more capacity restricted than the processes used to make linear-low density polyethylene (LLDPE), improved technologies make LDPE cost competitive with LLDPE. LDPEs, with their highly branched molecular structures, offer some benefits compared to LLDPE, such as higher melt strength, which creates stability in blown film processing and in making foams, for example. LDPEs and EVAs also generally have higher clarity and sealability than LLDPE. EVA copolymers can be made with a range of vinyl acetate (VA) content, depending on the desired properties. High EVAs are typically categorized as between 18% and 40% VA content. EVAs for hot melt adhesives, for example, can contain 18-33% VA, EVAs for power cables may be 12-18% EVA, and EVAs for foams may be 10-22% EVA. Metallocene-catalyzed LLDPE (mLLDPE) is a competitive technology to LDPE and EVA. This processing technology creates LLDPE with better clarity and lower seal initiation temperature than conventional LLDPEs, but better physical properties than conventional LLDPE or LDPE. Metallocene-catalyzed polyolefin elastomers (mPOEs) and plastomers (mPOPs) also compete with LDPE and EVAs.
Market Drivers in the LDPE and High EVA Resin Market
LDPE is used in many applications (see figure below). The largest market is film applications (e.g., bags, stretch films, packaging). Other areas include injection molded parts, extrusion coating, adhesives and sealants, and wire and cable. High EVAs are also used in a wide range of applications (see figure below). The high EVA LDPEs are expected to maintain their higher growth and specialty status, with low EVAs growing at GDP. A driver for high EVA growth is attributed to the solar encapsulant application, stimulated by the increase in global demand for renewable energy. Metallocene-catalyzed LLDPEs compete with LDPE, and mPOEs and POPs compete with EVAs in applications including solar encapsulation. Exhibit below shows key end-use applications of LDPE and high-EVA driving global demand.
Exhibit 1. Key end-use applications of LDPE and high-EVA
LDPE and High EVA Resin Market Assessment
ADI Chemical Market Resources (ADI CMR) has conducted a strategic analysis that covers all major developments in the industry including changing market dynamics, technology trends, evolving industry structure and strategic alliances, and the current and expected competitive landscape, with a renewed emphasis on the emerging regions. Market forecasts are presented by region and application for the next five years with a vision of the next 10 years. The report is based on thorough analysis of the industry through a wide range of methods, including published information, patent searches, ADI CMR proprietary projects, and interviews with leading suppliers, film converters, and major end-users in each market segment. Manufacturing cost economics and pricing structures are based on ADI CMR’s extensive cost databases and interviews. The geographic focus of the market assessment will be regions segmented into North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, China, Japan, and Rest of Asia. The report will particularly benefit producers, compounders, and packaging industry participants, as well as individual end-users, entrepreneurs, and organizations attempting to understand these complex issues and capture future growth in the marketplace.
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