Polyethylene is a thermoplastic polymer with a variable crystal structure and a wide variety of applications depending on the particular species. It is one of the most produced plastics in the world, with tens of millions of tons produced worldwide each year. The commercial process that makes PE so successful (Ziegler-Natta catalysts) was developed in the 1950s by two scientists, Karl Ziegler of Germany and Giulio Natta of Italy.

There are several types of polyethylene and each is best suited for different applications. Generally speaking, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is much more crystalline and is often used in completely different conditions than Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE). For example, LDPE is widely used in areas such as sponge, grocery bags or plastic packaging. HDPE, in contrast to LDPE, has common applications in construction (for example, in the manufacture of drainage pipes, canoes, boats, boats and slabs). Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMW) has high performance applications in things like medical devices, tanks, water tanks and bulletproof vests.