What Chemical Processes Are Used to Make Plastic Bags

What Chemical Processes Are Used To Make Plastic Bags?

Polyethylene, a commonly used plastic found in grocery bags and packaging, is formed by adding together molecules of ethylene in another type of polymerization called an addition reaction. Addition reactions happen between molecules that have double bonds or triple bonds.

triple bonds

Triple bonds are stronger than the equivalent single bonds or double bonds, with a bond order of three. The most common triple bond, that between two carbon atoms, can be found in alkynes. Other functional groups containing a triple bond are cyanides and isocyanides.

What chemicals are used to make plastic bags?

Traditional plastic bags are usually made from polyethylene, which consists of long chains of ethylene monomers. Ethylene is derived from natural gas and petroleum.
Elena Rostova

Elena Rostova

Lead Health, Wellness & Medical Journalist

Elena Rostova holds a Master's degree in Public Health Journalism. She covers groundbreaking medical research, holistic wellness trends, mental health awareness, and nutritional science.