Material Guide10 Sept 2026Tim Trigunung
HDPE, LLDPE or PP? A short guide to choosing your material
A less suitable material can leave packs tearing, leaking, or costing more than they should. Here is how to choose in five minutes.
Most packaging complaints that reach our desk are not about production quality. They are about the wrong material being chosen in the first place. Here is the short guide.
HDPE - strong and most economical
Stiff, slightly opaque and crinkly when squeezed. High tensile strength even when thin, which makes it the economical choice. Ideal for carrier bags, nursery polybags and dry goods. Less suited to sharp contents or very cold conditions.
LLDPE - flexible and tear-resistant
More elastic and puncture-resistant, and it stays flexible at low temperatures. That is why ice bags, agricultural mulch, shrink wrap and hatchery bags use it. Slightly more expensive than HDPE at the same gauge.
PP - clear and keeps food crisp
High clarity with a reasonable moisture barrier, so products look sharp on the shelf and stay crisp. Common for crackers, chips, bakery and salt. It is stiffer, so it suits heavy contents that need flexibility less well.
Biodegradable - the next step
PE with additives designed to break down faster under suitable disposal conditions. A fit for brands, hotels and institutions reducing their plastic footprint. Best trialled with samples before mass production.
Three questions that decide it
- How heavy are the contents, and are there sharp corners?
- Will the pack face cold, heat or humidity?
- Does the product need to be visible from outside?
Those three answers are almost always enough to settle both material and gauge.
Still unsure
Send us a sample of your product and how it is stacked in your warehouse. We will recommend the most efficient material and gauge, then send samples for a real-world trial.