Lupolen

Lupolen LDPE is a low-density polyethylene family for blown and cast film applications. Produced in high-pressure autoclave and tubular reactors, Lupolen delivers the melt strength, deep-draw behaviour and optical clarity that define LDPE as a film polymer. Genesis Polymers distributes nine Lupolen LDPE grades covering blown and cast film, lamination, shrink wrap and specialised surface-protection applications.

The chemistry traces back to 1933, when researchers at ICI accidentally polymerised ethylene under high pressure. The highly branched, flexible polymer they created became the workhorse of flexible packaging.

That branching is what gives Lupolen films their tear resistance, moisture barrier and heat-seal performance in thin-gauge applications.

Where Lupolen LDPE is used

Lupolen LDPE covers the full range of flexible packaging:

• Bags and pouches: food, consumer goods, industrial liners

• Food packaging film, hygiene film and medical film

• Shrink film, collation shrink and stretch hoods

• Lamination film and backing layers for multi-layer structures

• Surface-protection film, where gel-free optical quality is a hard specification

For converters, Lupolen's value is processing consistency. Reliable bubble stability in blown-film extrusion. Predictable output on cast lines. Tight clarity-versus-throughput trade-offs across the MFR ladder.

Lupolen LDPE technical profile

All nine Lupolen LDPE grades distributed by Genesis Polymers sit in the 0.923–0.927 g/cm³ density band characteristic of LDPE. Melt flow rates (MFR, 190 °C / 2.16 kg) run from 0.25 g/10 min, where 2420D and 3010D deliver the highest melt strength for heavy-gauge shrink and lamination, up to 1.9 g/10 min, where 2420H and 2426H allow higher line speeds on bag and pouch production. Dart-drop impact reaches 250 g on 2420D, for tough thin-gauge flexible packaging.

The Lupolen LDPE range divides into two density sub-families. The 2420 series (density 0.923 g/cm³) is the mainstream film backbone. The 3010 / 3020 / 3026 series (density 0.927 g/cm³) carries higher stiffness and higher melt strength, suited to heavy-duty shrink, lamination backing films and small blow-moulded containers where LDPE's chemical resistance is required.

The Lupolen LDPE grade range

Non-additivated grades, for converters running their own slip and anti-block packages:

• Lupolen 2420D: MFR 0.25 g/10 min, density 0.923 g/cm³. High melt strength, 250 g dart drop. Stretch hoods, heavy-gauge shrink, liners.

• Lupolen 2420F: MFR 0.75 g/10 min, density 0.923 g/cm³. Balanced optical quality and tensile strength for general-purpose food packaging and bag film.

• Lupolen 2420F PLUS: MFR 0.75 g/10 min, density 0.923 g/cm³, very low gel level. The reference grade for surface-protection film and optical packaging.

• Lupolen 2420H: MFR 1.9 g/10 min, density 0.924 g/cm³. High-MFR grade for high-speed blown-film bags, pouches, hygiene and medical film.

• Lupolen 3010D: MFR 0.25 g/10 min, density 0.927 g/cm³, tensile modulus 300 MPa. High melt strength and higher crystallinity for heavy-duty shrink, lamination backing, small blow-moulded bottles.

• Lupolen 3020F: MFR 0.9 g/10 min, density 0.927 g/cm³, tensile modulus 300 MPa. Clarity and heat-seal performance for demanding lamination and specialty films.

Additivated grades, with built-in slip and anti-blocking agents for high-speed lines:

• Lupolen 2426F: MFR 0.75 g/10 min, density 0.924 g/cm³. Bags, pouches, food packaging, hygiene and shrink film.

• Lupolen 2426H: MFR 1.9 g/10 min, density 0.924 g/cm³. Higher-flow additivated variant for high-speed bag and pouch production.

• Lupolen 3026F: MFR 0.9 g/10 min, density 0.927 g/cm³. Slip-additivated companion to 3020F for lamination and shrink wrap on high-throughput lines.

Choosing the right Lupolen LDPE grade

Food-contact documentation for Lupolen LDPE grades is available through the producer on request.

Frequently asked questions about Lupolen LDPE

What is Lupolen LDPE used for? Lupolen LDPE is used in blown and cast film applications: bags and pouches, food packaging film, hygiene and medical film, shrink film, stretch hoods, lamination layers and surface-protection film. The range covers mainstream flexible packaging as well as specialist optical-grade film.

What's the difference between Lupolen 2420F and Lupolen 2420F PLUS? Both run at 0.75 g/10 min MFR and 0.923 g/cm³ density. The PLUS variant is distinguished by a very low gel level, making it the reference grade for surface-protection film and optical packaging where gel-free appearance is decisive.

Which Lupolen LDPE grade has the highest melt strength? Lupolen 2420D delivers the highest melt strength in the range, with MFR 0.25 g/10 min and dart-drop impact of 250 g. It is used for stretch hoods, heavy-gauge shrink and heavy-duty liners.

Is Lupolen LDPE suitable for food-contact applications? Yes. Food-contact documentation is available through the producer on request. Several grades including 2420F, 2420H, 2426F and 2426H are used in food packaging film and food pouches.

What's the difference between the Lupolen 2420 series and the 3010 / 3020 / 3026 series?

• 2420 series (density 0.923 g/cm³): the mainstream film backbone, used for bags, pouches, food packaging, hygiene and shrink film

• 3010 / 3020 / 3026 series (density 0.927 g/cm³): higher stiffness and higher melt strength, for heavy-duty shrink, lamination backing and small blow-moulded containers where LDPE's chemical resistance matters

Sister polyolefin brands from Genesis Polymers

For HDPE film, blow-moulded industrial containers, pressure pipe or beverage closures, see Hostalen. For polypropylene film, fibres and injection-moulding grades, see Moplen. For metallocene-grade polypropylene with narrow molecular weight distribution, see Metocene.