Bio-based polyethylene and MEG: Characteristics
How a carbon-14 test proves the plastic grew in a field
What this tab covers The physical and chemical properties that set its grade, price and uses, with the commercial grades and the standards that define them.Bio-PE is chemically identical to fossil PE, so it has the same grades, density and melt index. The only measurable difference is carbon-14 content, which proves bio-based origin (ASTM D6866, EN 16640).
Properties that matter commercially
| Property | Value / specification | Why it matters | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bio-based carbon content | up to about 95-100% for HDPE and LLDPE grades, measured by carbon-14 (indicative) | Basis of bio-based claims and certification | ASTM D6866; indicative |
| Density and melt index | same as fossil grades (0.91-0.96 g/cm3) | Drop-in for converters | indicative |
| Recyclability | recycled with fossil PE | No separate stream needed | indicative |
Commercial grades
- Bio-HDPE (blow moulding, injection, caps)
- Bio-LDPE and bio-LLDPE (film)
- Bio-EVA (foam)
- PE wax
- Mass-balance bio-attributed PE (ISCC PLUS)
- Bio-MEG (fibre and bottle grade)