Unidirectional oriented polyethylene (MDOPE) films are gaining popularity in the market. Stretch-treated polyethylene (PE) films have made their mark in the packaging sector by virtue of their high stiffness, excellent heat resistance, superior tensile strength and excellent optical properties. Today, MDOPE films are used in a wide range of single-material packaging applications, gradually replacing BOPET, BOPP and other surface film materials that were commonly used in the past.
What is MDOPE film?
MDOPE film, the high stiffness PE-based polyethylene film produced by the MDO (unidirectional stretch) process, offers excellent stiffness, transparency, puncture resistance and heat resistance. Its appearance and characteristics are very similar to BOPET film, can realize PE and PE composite, thus creating a 100% polyethylene material composed of flexible packaging, in the recycling does not need to peel off different plastics, greatly reducing the complexity of the process, this innovation breaks through the traditional composite of a variety of different materials flexible packaging can not be recycled limitations, it is a major leap forward in flexible packaging technology. MDOPE film is divided into MDOPE film is divided into three series: MDOPE-T general series, MDOPE-E high barrier series, MDOPE-S ultra-high barrier series, by virtue of its good flatness and printing performance, excellent thermal stability and low shrinkage. With its good flatness and printing performance, excellent thermal stability and low shrinkage, MDOPE film can now be used as printing film for eight-side sealed bags, nozzle bags, zipper bags, etc.
MDOPE vs Traditional Composite Films: Performance & Sustainability Comparison
(Data sources: ExxonMobil’s 2023 Material Progress Report, Lida Packaging’s production trials)
| Property | MDOPE Film(e.g
, ExxonMobil HD PE+MDO) |
BOPET/PE Composite | Aluminum Laminate | Winning Margin |
| Recyclability | 100% in PE streams | Non-recyclable | Non-recyclable | +100% vs composites |
| Tensile Strength | 150 Mpa(Lida PK8012 grade) | 90-110 MPa | 60-80 MPa | +36% vs BOPET/PE |
| Oxygen Barrier(OTR) | 8 cc/m²/day (with EVOH coating) | 5 cc/m²/day | <1 cc/m²/day | 60% of aluminum performance |
| Moisture Barrier(WVTR) | 1.5 g/m²/day | 0.7 g/m²/day | 0.1 g/m²/day | 2.1x BOPET/PE |
| Carbon Footprint | 1.8 kg CO₂e/kg (ExxonMobil data) | 2.9 kg CO₂e/kg | 3.5 kg CO₂e/kg | 38% reduction vs composites |
| Production Speed | 180 m/min (Lida’s MDO line) | 120 m/min | 80 m/min | +50% vs BOPET/PE |
| Plastic Tax Savings | €0 (100% compliant) | €560/ton (EU tax) | €800/ton (EU tax) | Full exemption |
| Shelf Life Extension | +20% vs standard PE | Baseline | +50% vs standard PE | Competitive for most applications |
Technical Footnotes:
1) Test conditions: 23℃, 50% RH
2) MDOPE performance retention rate containing 30% recycled materials > 95%
3) Data based on Lida Packaging’s 2023 aseptic packaging trials
PE/PE:
| Surface Layer | Application |
| MDOPE | Stand up pouch, flat bag |
| HWPE | Flat bottom pouch, spout pouch, big bag |
| Internal layer | Thickness | Feature |
| LDPE | 40-140 | Good water resistance, moisture-proof and humidity-proof; but poor airtightness, poor barrier to oxygen and odor of contents. Suitable for regular items such as potato chips, pet food and other packaging. |
| PCR PE
GPS PE |
40 | Recyclable materials containing recycled content |
| EVOH-PE | 50/65 | Good water resistance, excellent oxygen barrier and gas barrier; suitable for customers with high requirements for packaging airtightness. |
| APE | 50 | Barrier properties are similar to those of EVOH, so it can be used as a substitute for EVOH-PE when customers do not require APE. |
Application Notes:
1. It is recommended to do horizontal tear opening
2. Try to use an ordinary zipper form, not recommended with easy to tear zipper.
3. Try to hit the easy-tear line
4. PE//PE structure of the bag body flatness is worse than other materials
Q: Can MDOPE match aluminum foil’s barrier properties?
A: Our EVOH-coated MDOPE achieves <1 cc/m²/day O₂ transmission – suitable for oxygen-sensitive products.
Q: What’s the minimum order quantity?
A: We support trial runs from 500kg for custom developments.
Q: How does MDOPE perform in existing recycling systems?
A: Compatible with LDPE/LLDPE streams in EU/UK/North American recycling infrastructure.