Modern innovations have allowed for once standard processes to become better and more streamlined. HDPE plastic is a material that has been revolutionizing the world since the early- to mid-1950s. The monumental impact of polymer chemistry was so significant that the awarding of a Nobel Prize in Chemistry was the subject of legal proceedings over the course of three decades just to find which name(s) could be attached to the discovery.
Benefits of HDPE
High density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic is used in a number of applications such as oil & gas, mining, communications, and municipal waste waterworks. HDPE is corrosion-resistant & virtually leakproof. HDPE is notably maintenance-free and has a lifespan anywhere between 50-100 years. This longevity and stoutness makes for an ideal material to be used in any construction project.
What is HDPE Plastic Used For?
The variety of HDPE plastic uses is profound. Everything from biomedical waste containers, wire insulation, cable jacketing, and erosion barriers all are made with HDPE. Other uses include:
- Fracking
- Water Transportation
- Sewage
- Oil and Gas Storage
- Civil Earthworks
- Public Works Projects
HDPE & Its Benefits
Perhaps the most notable advantage of HDPE plastic use is that it saves money in a variety of ways. Less labor goes into its maintenance, saving money on manpower & project timetables. HDPE has a lower weight, which makes it easier to transport, not to mention more fuel-efficient. The lower weight also makes it ideal to be moved easily, and safely, on a job site without specialized machinery.
A major advantage of HDPE is that it can be manufactured to longer standard lengths of pipe rather than having to join shorter runs. The cost of this practice proves to be especially pricey when using steel. One particularly interesting aspect of HDPE use is that it offers the ability to enact expansion of existing systems in an easier way than would more traditional & rigid systems.
Environmental Concerns
HDPE plastic also proves to be an ideal material to use at a time when all manufacturing is having to meet the demand for green initiatives & building ‘cleaner’. HDPE is an easily recyclable material, and even “extra” bits from the manufacturing process are recycled so that nothing goes to waste. What’s more, by using materials as environmentally sound as HDPE plastic in a build, contractors are able to, in essence, initiate remediation best practices before the project even begins.
Is HDPE plastic the way to go for all projects? In short, it depends. The key to knowing whether HDPE is appropriate for an application is to have a full-project assessment made by a dependable firm. They should be well-versed in HDPE plastic use, as well as other materials that could be more effective given particular circumstances.
CCI Culberson Engineering & Construction is a leader in major earthworks projects that utilize HDPE plastic in a variety of ways. See what has made CCI Culberson a go-to name today.
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