39.01 ‑ Polymers of ethylene, in primary forms
This heading covers polyethylene and chemically modified polyethylene (for example, chlorinated polyethylene and chlorosulphonated polyethylene). It also covers ethylene copolymers (for example, ethylene‑vinyl acetate copolymers and ethylene‑propylene copolymers) in which ethylene is the predominant comonomer unit. For the classification of polymers (including copolymers), chemically modified polymers and polymer blends, see the General Explanatory Note to this Chapter. Polyethylene is a translucent material having a very wide range of applications. Low‑density polyethylene (LDPE), i.e., polyethylene having a specific gravity at 20 ¡ÆC of less than 0.94 (calculated on an additive‑free polymer basis), is used largely as a packaging film especially for food products, as coating for paper, fibreboard, aluminium foil, etc., as an electric insulator, and for the manufacture of various household articles, toys, etc. High‑density polyethylene (HDPE) is polyethylene having a specific gravity at 20 ¡ÆC of 0.94 or more (calculated on an additive‑free polymer basis). It is used in the manufacture of a variety of blow‑moulded and injection‑moulded articles, woven sacks, gasoline and oil containers, for the extrusion of pipes, etc. Applications of ethylene‑vinyl acetate copolymers include snap‑on caps, the lining of bag‑in‑box containers and stretch wrapping. The heading also includes linear low‑density ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers (LLDPE) as well as other copolymers (plastomers), having a specific gravity of less than 0.94 and with a content of alpha‑olefin monomers of 25 % or more but less than 50 % by weight. The heading excludes :(a) Liquid synthetic polyethylene not meeting the requirements of Note 3 (a) to the Chapter (heading 27.10). (b) Polyethylene waxes (heading 34.04).
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