Concept in Definition ABC

Polyethylene it's a kind ofpolymerwhich is widely used in the manufacturing of containers, of bags, to cover cables, to make containers and in pipes, among others. It is one of the most common and used plastics in the world, especially because of the low cost it represents..

Meanwhile, polymers are macromolecules that are made up of the union of smaller molecules called monomers. Meanwhile, polymers can be natural, such is the case of DNA, silk, starch and cellulose, or failing that, synthetics, such as nylon, bakelite and polyethylene, which is the polymer we will deal with next.

The polymer is obtained from a process chemical known as polymerization and the chemical compound ethylene.

It should be noted that depending on the type of polymerization that is carried out, various species of polyethylene can be achieved.
Meanwhile, during its creation process it is possible to add different substances to the polyethylene so that the final product enjoys certain properties. One of the most common turns out to be to give it a different color to the one it naturally has, which is translucent in its first stage.

On the other hand, different additives can be added that will make it a substance antibacterial, fireproof and antioxidant.

Polyethylene was first synthesized towards the end of the 19th century, in 1898, by the German chemist Hans von Pechmann, accidentally. In the 1930s, two English scientists synthesized it in the form we know it today.

As we pointed out lines above, polyethylene is widely used and especially it is used to manufacture the plastic bags that we usually get when buying a product in supermarkets or other shops. Now, they turn out to be a very serious problem for the environment since the material is not biodegradable It pollutes our planet if it is not dumped in a prepared place. There are many, many years it will take for a polyethylene bag to degrade.

The solution to this problem is the biopolyethylene which is obtained from beets, sugar cane or wheat and as such can be recycled.