# Bio-based polyethylene and MEG: Characteristics

How a carbon-14 test proves the plastic grew in a field

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bio_pe/characteristics/

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)

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bio_pe/index.md)
- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bio_pe/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bio_pe/correlation/index.md)
- [Production route](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bio_pe/routes/index.md)
- [Production](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bio_pe/production/index.md)
- [Feedstocks](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bio_pe/feedstocks/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bio_pe/cycles/index.md)
- [Trading](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bio_pe/trading/index.md)
- [Movement](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bio_pe/movement/index.md)
- [Regulation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bio_pe/regulation/index.md)
- [Emissions](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bio_pe/emissions/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bio_pe/links/index.md)