Polyethylene - (PE500 HMWPE) - Pressed & Planed Sheet

HMWPE (High Molecular Weight Polyethylene or PE500) is a durable, low-friction material with excellent impact and abrasion resistance. Food-compliant, it's used in chopping boards and suits industrial, engineering, and food-grade applications. Available in natural, black and a range of colours. 

Key Features and Benefits

• Food-Safe Compliance: Compliant with food safety agency (FSA) standards and European Union (EU) regulations, suitable for food-related applications.
• Low Coefficient of Friction: Reduces wear and tear, ideal for sliding and moving parts in machinery.
• Very Low Moisture Absorption: Ensures dimensional stability and durability even in humid environments.
• Excellent Impact Strength: Highly resistant to damage from impacts, ideal for heavy-duty applications.
• Wide Temperature Range (-60°C to +80°C): Performs reliably in both extremely cold and hot environments.
• Harder Wearing Than PE300: Offers superior wear resistance for demanding industrial applications.
• Available in Various Colours: Customizable to suit different design needs and aesthetic preferences.
• Good Low Temperature Resistance: Maintains performance in cold environments, making it ideal for freezer applications.

Typical Applications of Polyethylene HMWPE (PE500)

• Food Chopping Boards – PE500 is food-safe, non-porous, and highly resistant to bacteria, making it ideal for durable and hygienic chopping boards used in commercial kitchens and food processing.
• Leisure Equipment – With excellent impact strength and wear resistance, PE500 is widely used in playgrounds, sports facilities, and amusement parks for durable, low-friction components.
• Conveyor Systems – Its low coefficient of friction and high wear resistance make PE500 perfect for conveyor guides, wear strips, and impact-resistant machine components.
• Dairy Industry – PE500’s food-grade compliance, chemical resistance, and easy-to-clean surface make it an essential material for dairy processing and parlour boards.
• Ice Rinks – Due to its excellent sliding properties and resistance to low temperatures, PE500 is used for ice rink kickboards, barriers, and synthetic skating surfaces.

Colour uses and applications

• Natural: The neutral shade of natural HMWPE is ideal for engineering applications where performance is the priority. It is commonly used in industrial machinery parts, custom fabrication projects, and environments where the material's functional properties are more important than its appearance.
• Black: Black HMWPE is known for its durability and resistance to UV radiation, making it perfect for outdoor and heavy-duty applications. It’s widely used in industrial applications, chemical handling, and parts exposed to harsh environments, where its strength and resistance to wear are critical.
• Blue: Blue HMWPE is often used in food processing environments, as it provides a clear contrast for spotting contamination or debris. It is commonly used in food-grade applications such as cutting boards and equipment, as well as in colour-coded systems for easier maintenance and safety compliance.
• Green: Green HMWPE is typically used in agricultural machinery and equipment, as well as in eco-friendly products. It is also used for colour-coded applications in industrial settings, where differentiating between parts and materials is important for organization and efficiency.
• Red: Red HMWPE is widely used in safety-related applications due to its high visibility. It is commonly found in construction environments, signage, and components that need to stand out, helping to clearly mark warning areas or identify key machinery parts.
• Yellow: Yellow HMWPE is highly visible, making it suitable for applications requiring caution or attention. It is often used in safety-related products, such as hazard signage, protective barriers, and in industrial environments where visibility and safety are top priorities.

Specific gravity 0.95 

With a specific gravity of 0.95, PE500 is lighter than water, offering buoyancy and making it ideal for weight-sensitive applications in packaging, boat construction, and transport.

Manufacturing Process – Pressed and Planed

The HMWPE (PE500) sheets are produced through a compression molding process, where high molecular weight polyethylene is heated and pressed into molds to create sheets of precise thickness and uniform quality. After pressing, the sheets are planed to achieve a smooth, precise surface finish. This process ensures:

• Enhanced material strength 
• Uniform thickness and density 
• Smooth, precision surface 

This manufacturing process results in a high-performance material with exceptional strength, chemical resistance, and durability, making PE500 well-suited for demanding industrial, engineering, and food-safe applications.

Cut to Size Bespoke Fabrication Services

Our cut to size service allows you to purchase PE500 Sheets in the exact dimensions you need, without having to buy full, manufactured sheet sizes. We don’t charge for cutting standard shapes and sizes listed on our website.

For more customised projects, we also offer bespoke fabrication services, including:

• CNC Laser Cutting – For precise and intricate designs.
• CNC Routing – Ideal for complex shapes and large-scale projects.
• Engraving – Perfect for personalised or technical detailing.
• Additional options – Such as drilled holes, rounded corners, and edge polishing for a professional finish.

Sustainability and Recycling

PE500 sheets can only be recycled through specialised processes. However, its durability and extended lifespan reduce the need for frequent replacements, making it a more sustainable choice for long-term industrial applications 

We provide a fast delivery service throughout the UK using recognised Couriers such as Royal Mail, DHL, and Parcel Force.

Delivery prices are calculated based on the length of the longest side of the material ordered i.e. the delivery price of a panel measuring 1500mm x 1000mm would be based on the 1500mm dimension. Only one delivery charge is charged per order regardless of how many items are ordered.

UK Delivery costs

Standard delivery for all accessories is £7.95, or £12.95 for Express delivery.

All prices listed include VAT.

Delivery Times

Our guidelines for delivery times are listed below:

• Standard delivery (3-5 working days)
• Express delivery (2-3 working days)

Express Delivery

If you require faster delivery you may wish to consider choosing our Express Delivery option at the checkout. Express Delivery orders are prioritised over standard orders and delivered using a recognised nationwide courier.

Next Day Delivery

Next Day delivery is not available via our website due to the volume and bespoke nature of orders we receive on a daily basis. However, if you need to place an order and require Next Day delivery please contact us – we will make every effort to meet your requirements and deadlines.

European/EU Delivery

We have temporarily disabled European delivery for orders placed through our website whilst we make changes to ensure that the correct rate of EU VAT is being charged. Our team can however manually process orders so please contact us if you require delivery to the European Union.

Remote Areas

Due to the nature of the ”made to measure” products we supply, we provide delivery prices at a standard rate and reserve the right to cancel an order should it become economically unviable to fulfill the order. In these extremely rare circumstances, the customer will be contacted first to discuss alternative options.

When delivering to some locations we can incur increased Courier delivery costs. Should delivery be required to one of the locations listed below a remote area supplement will be automatically added to the price of delivery during the checkout process.

All prices listed include VAT.

Examples of delivery locations which may incur a remote area supplement are:

• Channel Islands
• Isle of Man
• Isles of Scilly
• Isle of Wight
• Scottish Islands
• Scottish Highlands
• Remote areas of Scotland
• Northern Ireland

If you require delivery to one of these areas please get in touch to discuss your order.

Third-Party Deliveries

Some products are dispatched directly from the manufacturer and delivered by a third-party courier. If applicable, this is clearly stated on each Product page under the 'Delivery' tab/section.