THE HIGH DENSITY STORY

Ever wondered why two gallons of milk can go into a very thin plastic grocery sack?  That was not possible before a class of resins were developed known as high molecular weight (HMW) high density polyethylene (HDPE) or high density for short.  High density polyethylene provides superior strength and impact resistance at very thin gauges. Typically, a high density film can match a low density film in strength at about 60% of the gauge. For example, a low density 1.0 mil film would perform much like a high density .6 mil film.

Owing to its thinner gauge, high density film can be rolled into longer rolls (typically double the standard roll lengths) which results in:

1. Less changeover in the field, thereby reducing the cost of application

2. Less material to dispose of at the end of the crop

3. Fewer rolls needed resulting in less freight, storage and handling

EMBOSSING

All of Hilex films are embossed. Embossing came into popularity in Florida about 25 years ago. Due to dramatic temperature variations, any polyethylene will tend to expand and contract. Embossing which is a permanent pattern indentation in the surface of the film, absorbs the plastic's expansion and contraction. Embossing enables the film to stay tight on the bed in temperature variation. This protects young plants from chaffing and protects the plastic from blowing up in extremely windy conditions.

COLORS

Different colors of film provide different benefits. Hilex offers a full line of colored mulches and has been instrumental in the development of several new technologies. Overall, the most common colors of mulch film are black, white, and white-over-black. Hilex offers all of these and several other options including silver-over-black, clear, and red. The following is a brief description of the advantages of each color:

	Black Economical, provides weed control, warms soil
	White Coolest of all colors
	White-Over-Black Cooler than black, yet prevents more weed growth than white
	Silver-Over-Black Reduces population of certain insects, weed inhibitor
	Clear Solarizes soil killing many soil-borne diseases without fumigants
	Red Increases yield in certain vegetables

HILEX PRODUCT SPECS

Range of Widths up to 72”

Typical Range of Gauges .4 mil - 1.0 mil

Colors Offered— Black, White, White-Over-Black, Silver-Over-Black, Clear, Red

Typical Length of Rolls 4800' - 10,000'