Materials · Bio-PE
Bio-PE: sugarcane-derived polyethylene with a negative carbon footprint.
Bio-PE is polyethylene made from sugarcane ethanol instead of fossil naphtha. Chemically identical to fossil PE, same processing, same recyclability, but with a negative carbon footprint at the resin level.
01. What it is
Inside the resin.
Bio-PE (also called green PE or I'm Green) is produced by dehydrating sugarcane ethanol into ethylene, then polymerizing it the same way as fossil-derived PE. The result is molecularly identical to virgin LDPE or HDPE, but the sugarcane absorbed CO₂ as it grew, giving the resin a negative cradle-to-gate footprint.
02. Best for
When to choose Bio-PE.
- Skincare, suncare and cosmetic squeeze tubes
- Personal care bottles wanting a 'plant-based' claim
- Brands that need recyclability AND carbon reduction
- Premium positioning with a verifiable origin story
03. Properties
The spec sheet.
| Source | Brazilian sugarcane ethanol |
| Carbon footprint | −3.09 kg CO₂ per kg of resin |
| Recyclability | Stream-compatible with PE #2 and #4 |
| Performance | Identical to fossil PE |
| Resin certification | I'm Green™ and ISCC+ certifications held by the resin producer; documentation on request |
04. Sustainability
The footprint.
Each tonne of Bio-PE captures ~3 tonnes of CO₂ from the atmosphere during sugarcane growth, making it the only plastic with a verified negative carbon footprint at the resin level. Recycles in existing PE streams without contamination.
05. Decoration
Decoration options.
- Offset printing
- Silk screen
- Hot stamping
- Soft-touch
- Frosted finish
06. FAQ
Common questions.
Is Bio-PE biodegradable?
No, and that's intentional. Bio-PE is designed to be recyclable, not biodegradable. Biodegradable plastics often contaminate recycling streams. Bio-PE flows through existing PE recycling perfectly.
Does it cost more than fossil PE?
Typically 20–35% more than virgin fossil PE. The premium has dropped significantly as Braskem (the primary producer) has scaled.
Can I blend Bio-PE with PCR?
Yes. Bio-PE + PCR HDPE is one of the most powerful sustainability combinations available. We can run blends at any ratio.
07. Related
Other materials we run.
08. Used in
Categories we run in Bio-PE.
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