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Material properties

An overview of common packaging materials — with their technical data, resistances and recycling code. Expand a material to see its details.

Materials at a glance

Each material can be expanded individually. A green tick means suitable, a red cross unsuitable.

Thermoplastics

Plastics that melt and can be shaped when heated.

Polyolefins

Polyethylene (low density)PE-LD
opaque
Recycling code 04, low-density polyethylene (PE-LD)
Continuous operating temperature
Resistance values
Food-safe
Oil-resistant
Acid-resistant
-40 to +80 °C
> 1013 Ω
Polyethylene (high density)PE-HD
opaque
Recycling code 02, high-density polyethylene (PE-HD)
Continuous operating temperature
Resistance values
Food-safe
Oil-resistant
Acid-resistant
-50 to +80 °C
> 1013 Ω
PolypropylenePP
opaque
Recycling code 05, polypropylene (PP)
Continuous operating temperature
Resistance values
Food-safe
Oil-resistant
Acid-resistant
-10 to +100 °C
> 1013 Ω
Polypropylene copolymerPP-C
milky / opaque
Recycling code 05, polypropylene (PP)
Continuous operating temperature
Resistance values
Food-safe
Oil-resistant
Acid-resistant
-10 to +110 °C
> 1013 Ω
Polypropylene, dissipativePP (dissip.)
black
Recycling code 07, other plastics (O)
Continuous operating temperature
Resistance values
Food-safe
Oil-resistant
Acid-resistant
-10 to +80 °C
≥ 104 to < 1011 Ω

Styrene plastics

PolystyrenePS
crystal clear
Recycling code 06, polystyrene (PS)
Continuous operating temperature
Resistance values
Food-safe
Oil-resistant
Acid-resistant
-10 to +80 °C
> 1013 Ω
High-impact polystyreneSB
opaque
Recycling code 06, polystyrene (PS)
Continuous operating temperature
Resistance values
Food-safe
Oil-resistant
Acid-resistant
-20 to +80 °C
> 1013 Ω
Styrene acrylonitrileSAN
crystal clear
Recycling code 06, polystyrene (PS)
Continuous operating temperature
Resistance values
Food-safe
Oil-resistant
Acid-resistant
-20 to +85 °C
> 1013 Ω
Polystyrene, dissipativePS (dissip.)
black
Recycling code 07, other plastics (O)
Continuous operating temperature
Resistance values
Food-safe
Oil-resistant
Acid-resistant
-10 to +80 °C
≥ 104 to < 1011 Ω

Engineering thermoplastics

Acrylonitrile butadiene styreneABS
opaque
Recycling mark ABS, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
Continuous operating temperature
Resistance values
Food-safe
Oil-resistant
Acid-resistant
-40 to +85 °C
> 1013 Ω
ABS, dissipativeABS (dissip.)
opaque
Recycling code 07, other plastics (O)
Continuous operating temperature
Resistance values
Food-safe
Oil-resistant
Acid-resistant
-10 to +80 °C
≥ 104 to < 1011 Ω
PolyamidePA
opaque
Recycling code 07, other plastics (O)
Continuous operating temperature
Resistance values
Food-safe
Oil-resistant
Acid-resistant
-30 to +100 °C
> 1013 Ω
PolycarbonatePC
transparent
Recycling code 07, other plastics (O)
Continuous operating temperature
Resistance values
Food-safe
Oil-resistant
Acid-resistant
-150 to +130 °C
> 1013 Ω
Polymethyl methacrylatePMMA
crystal clear
Recycling code 07, other plastics (O)
Continuous operating temperature
Resistance values
Food-safe
Oil-resistant
Acid-resistant
-40 to +85 °C
> 1013 Ω
Polyethylene terephthalatePET
transparent
Recycling code 01, polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
Continuous operating temperature
Resistance values
Food-safe
Oil-resistant
Acid-resistant
-20 to +110 °C
> 1013 Ω
Cellulose acetateCA
transparent
Recycling code 07, other plastics (O)
Continuous operating temperature
Resistance values
Food-safe
Oil-resistant
Acid-resistant
0 to +90 °C
> 1013 Ω

Halogenated plastics

Polyvinyl chloridePVC
crystal clear
Recycling code 03, polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Continuous operating temperature
Resistance values
Food-safe
Oil-resistant
Acid-resistant
-5 to +70 °C
> 1013 Ω

Paper and cardboard

Corrugated cardboardPAP
—
Recycling code 20, corrugated cardboard (PAP)
No technical data are available for this material.
Other cardboardPAP
—
Recycling code 21, other cardboard (PAP)
No technical data are available for this material.
PaperPAP
—
Recycling code 22, paper (PAP)
No technical data are available for this material.

Metals

IronFE
—
Recycling code 40, steel and iron (FE)
No technical data are available for this material.
AluminiumALU
—
Recycling code 41, aluminium (ALU)
No technical data are available for this material.

Natural materials

WoodFOR
—
Recycling code 50, wood (FOR)
No technical data are available for this material.

Frequently asked questions

What does the recycling code mean?
The recycling code identifies the material used in accordance with European material labelling and makes it easier to dispose of materials separately by type. The table shows the corresponding official identification symbol for each material.
What does “dissipative” mean?
Dissipative materials have defined electrical resistance values (≥ 10⁴ to < 10¹¹ Ω) and thus reduce electrostatic charge — important, for example, for ESD-packaging in electronics.
Are all plastics food-safe?
No, suitability for food contact depends on the material. The decisive factors are the technical specifications and declarations of conformity of the respective material.