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Healthcare

HDPE and LLDPE are driving innovation in healthcare packaging offering key advantages like enhanced hygiene, user comfort, and lower costs. Their compatibility with sterilized plastics and film extrusion makes them ideal for high-performance healthcare applications. At Shell Polymers, we provide resins designed to meet the demands of modern healthcare packaging—helping converters deliver safe and efficient solutions at scale.

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The plastics industry is competitive and keeping pace with industry trends is crucial for growth. In our Shell Polymers 2025 Trend Report, we’ll explore trends, threats and opportunities for converters. From material innovations to regulatory pressures, discover what’s next in healthcare packaging and how to stay ahead.

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Product summary

Product 101

In healthcare packaging, getting the resin right means getting performance, safety, and compliance right. That starts with understanding how we name our grade slates—a system built to help you quickly identify key resin properties like melt index and density. Read on to understand our naming convention and how you can choose the right polymer for healthcare applications.

Graphic displaying “18F1B1.” “18” is highlighted.

Density is reflected by the first two numbers found in the product name, which is 18 in this instance. These numbers represent the last two significant digits of the density value. See examples below.

18 = 0.918 density
53 = 0.953 density
63 = 0.963 density

Related conversion processes

Learn how proven conversion processes like blow molding, and film extrusion help enable the production of precise and reliable healthcare packaging. These methods deliver the sanitation, hygiene, and performance medical applications demand, helping converters meet strict industry standards with confidence.

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Blow molding

Blow molded HDPE is used to make hollow products such as industrial containers and drums, liquid containers and more.

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Film extrusion

Film extruded LLDPE is used to make industrial and food packaging, stretch films and more.

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Stay informed with Shell Polymers

Get the latest healthcare industry trends, technical guidance and resin insights delivered monthly to help you stay informed and competitive. Our experts break down what matters most in healthcare packaging, so you don’t miss a beat.

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