HDPE or High Density Polyethylene is a thermoplastic resin obtained by polymerization of ethylene. It offers a good mechanical resistance combined with light-weight. Its resistance to acids and organic solvents has enabled a widespread use of this material for containers for food oils and petrochemical products.
The transparency of such a material is however scarce or inexistent, which represents an advantage in terms of acting as a barrier against light but a disadvantage for the consumer as it is impossible to perceive the contents of the container.
In the last few years a strong impulse has been given to research multilayer solutions (inside and outside of bottles made in PET or PE integrated with one layer made of a different plastic); the result is an opaque bottle, with excellent barrier properties but rather costly; this in fact has had a negative impact on its use in the market. The competition of PET is gradually reducing the use of HDPE in the beverage market following the introduction of improved barrier properties for PET bottles.