High-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes, commanding a 31.7% share of the $2.61 billion global geomembrane market in 2025, are critical for containment in civil engineering, environmental protection, and industrial applications (Mordor Intelligence, 2025). Valued for their 99.9% impermeability, 95% chemical resistance, and 20–100-year lifespan, HDPE liners are widely used in landfills, aquaculture ponds, mining operations, and water reservoirs (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025). HDPE Geomembrane Price range from $0.50 to $3.50 per square meter ($0.05–$0.33/sq ft), influenced by thickness, raw material quality, and installation complexity (bpmgeomembrane.com, 2025). This guide provides a data-driven analysis of HDPE geomembrane costs, specifications, and purchasing strategies.
1. What is an HDPE Geomembrane?
An HDPE geomembrane is a synthetic, impermeable liner made from high-density polyethylene resin (97.5% polyethylene, 2–3% carbon black, UV stabilizers) designed to prevent liquid or gas migration in containment projects (bpmgeomembrane.com, 2025). With a density of 0.94–0.96 g/cm³, HDPE liners offer superior tensile strength (20–45 kN/m, ASTM D6693) and low permeability (≤10⁻¹¹ cm/s, ASTM D5887), achieving 99.9% seepage prevention (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025). Key features include:
- Thickness: 0.3–3.0 mm (12–120 mil), with 0.75–1.5 mm standard for most applications (earthshields.com, 2025).
- Roll Sizes: 2–10 m wide, 50–300 m long, customizable for projects from 100 sq ft to 500,000 sq ft (bpmgeomembrane.com, 2025).
- Durability: 20–100 years, with 80% strength retention after 1,500 hours of UV exposure (ASTM D4355) (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
- Certifications: GRI-GM13, ISO 9001:2015 ensure 99% quality compliance (earthshields.com, 2025).
- Applications: Landfills (40% market share), aquaculture (20%), mining (25%), water management (15%) (bpmgeomembrane.com, 2025).
- Properties: 95% chemical resistance (ASTM D543), 2.5–4.0 kN puncture resistance (ASTM D4833), and 700% elongation at break (earthshields.com, 2025).
This guide focuses on HDPE geomembrane pricing, offering actionable insights for cost optimization.
2. Factors Affecting HDPE Geomembrane Price
2.1 HDPE Geomembrane Price – Raw Material Quality
Raw materials account for 50% of HDPE geomembrane costs:
- Virgin Resin: $0.50–$2.55/sq ft, offers 50–100-year lifespan, meets GRI-GM13 standards (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
- Recycled Resin: $0.28–$1.00/sq ft, 10–20-year lifespan, 20–30% cheaper but 50% higher maintenance costs (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
- Additives: Carbon black (2.5%), antioxidants, and UV stabilizers add $0.05–$0.15/sq ft for 95% UV and chemical resistance (bpmgeomembrane.com, 2025).
Virgin resin prices rose 8% in Q1 2025 due to crude oil volatility, impacting costs by 30–40% (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
2.2 HDPE Geomembrane Price – Thickness
Thicker liners enhance durability but increase costs:
- 5 mm (20 mil): $0.35–$1.00/m² ($0.03–$0.09/sq ft), suited for small ponds or low-stress applications (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
- 75–1.0 mm (30–40 mil): $0.62–$1.50/m² ($0.06–$0.14/sq ft), standard for aquaculture and irrigation (earthshields.com, 2025).
- 5–2.0 mm (60–80 mil): $1.50–$2.50/m² ($0.14–$0.23/sq ft), used for landfills and mining (bpmgeomembrane.com, 2025).
- 5–3.0 mm (100–120 mil): $2.50–$3.50/m² ($0.23–$0.33/sq ft), for high-pressure industrial applications (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
Each 0.5 mm increase adds $0.20–$0.50/m² due to 20–50% higher resin volume (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
2.3 HDPE Geomembrane Price – Surface Type
- Smooth HDPE: $0.50–$1.50/m², ideal for flat surfaces like ponds (bpmgeomembrane.com, 2025).
- Textured HDPE: $0.60–$1.80/m², 25% higher friction for slopes, reducing slippage by 22% (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
Textured liners cost 10–20% more due to specialized manufacturing (bpmgeomembrane.com, 2025).
2.4 HDPE Geomembrane Price – Order Volume
Bulk orders reduce costs:
- Small Orders (<1,000 m²): $0.80–$3.50/m², higher per-unit costs (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
- Medium Orders (1,000–10,000 m²): $0.62–$2.50/m², 10–15% savings (bpmgeomembrane.com, 2025).
- Large Orders (>10,000 m²): $0.50–$1.50/m², 20–30% discounts (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
A 10,000 m² order of 1.0 mm HDPE at $0.62/m² costs $6,200, saving 20% vs. a 1,000 m² order at $0.78/m² ($7,800) (bpmgeomembrane.com, 2025).
2.5 HDPE Geomembrane Price – Installation Complexity
Installation costs $0.20–$3.00/sq ft ($2–$32/m²), comprising 30–50% of total expenses:
- Site Preparation: $0.10–$0.50/sq ft for clearing rocks and roots (homeguide.com, 2023).
- Geotextile Underlay: $0.15–$0.50/sq ft, reducing punctures by 95% (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
- Welding/Seaming: $0.05–$0.15/sq ft, ensuring 99% seam integrity (ASTM D6392) (bpmgeomembrane.com, 2025).
- Labor: $25–$30/hour, with 5–10 days for 10,000 m² projects (homeguide.com, 2023).
Rocky or sloped sites increase labor by 15–20% (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
2.6 HDPE Geomembrane Price – Supplier and Regional Variations
Trusted suppliers like BPM Geosynthetics and EarthShield charge 10–20% premiums for 95% reliability and GRI-GM13 compliance. Prices vary by region:
- China (BPM, EarthShield): $0.50–$3.50/m², lower labor costs ($2–$5/hour) (bpmgeomembrane.com, 2025).
- S. (Layfield, Solmax): $0.80–$5.00/m², higher shipping and labor ($15–$25/hour) (layfieldgroup.com, 2023).
- India (Mipatex): $0.30–$1.50/m², competitive due to local production (mipaindustries.co.in, 2025).
Geopolitical tensions and shipping delays may raise prices by 5% in 2025 (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
2.7 HDPE Geomembrane Price – Additional Costs
- Shipping: $200–$1,000 for 1,000–10,000 m² via LTL freight (bpmgeomembrane.com, 2025).
- Maintenance: $0.10–$0.50/m² annually for inspections, saving $1,000–$10,000 in repairs (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
- Taxes and Duties: 5–15%, varying by region (dir.indiamart.com, 2025).
3. HDPE Geomembrane Price Ranges in 2025
Small-Scale Projects (100–1,000 m²)
- Price Range: $80–$3,500 (materials: $50–$1,500; installation: $30–$2,000)
- Examples: BPM 0.5 mm HDPE (100 m², $35–$100), Mipatex 0.75 mm HDPE (500 m², $310–$750).
- Applications: Small fish ponds, garden reservoirs, wastewater lagoons.
- Specs: 0.5–0.75 mm, smooth HDPE, 10–20-year lifespan, 90% chemical resistance.
- Pros: 15% lower cost, easy installation, 95% impermeability.
- Cons: Limited to shallow applications (<3 ft) (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025; mipaindustries.co.in, 2025).
Medium-Scale Projects (1,000–10,000 m²)
- Price Range: $620–$25,000 (materials: $620–$15,000; installation: $200–$10,000)
- Examples: BPM 1.0 mm HDPE (5,000 m², $3,100–$7,500), EarthShield 1.5 mm HDPE (10,000 m², $15,000–$25,000).
- Applications: Aquaculture ponds, irrigation canals, small landfills.
- Specs: 0.75–1.5 mm, smooth or textured HDPE, 20–50-year lifespan, 95% UV resistance.
- Pros: 95% leak-proof, handles 3–6 ft depths, 98% uptime.
- Cons: Higher seaming costs for textured liners (bpmgeomembrane.com, 2025; earthshields.com, 2025).
Large-Scale Projects (>10,000 m²)
- Price Range: $5,000–$35,000+ (materials: $5,000–$25,000; installation: $2,000–$10,000+)
- Examples: BPM 1.5 mm HDPE (50,000 m², $31,000–$75,000), Solmax 2.0 mm HDPE (100,000 m², $62,000–$120,000).
- Applications: Landfills, mining tailings, large reservoirs.
- Specs: 1.5–3.0 mm, textured HDPE, 50–100-year lifespan, 99.9% seepage control.
- Pros: 98% durability, handles >6 ft depths, 20–30% bulk savings.
- Cons: High shipping and welding costs (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025; alibaba.com, 2025).
4. Spotlight: BPM Geosynthetics
Location: Shandong, China
Overview: Founded in 2007, BPM Geosynthetics operates a 16,000 m² ISO 9001:2015-certified facility, producing 100,000+ HDPE geomembranes annually for 86+ countries. Their $2 million R&D investment ensures 95% GRI-GM13 compliance, achieving 98% customer satisfaction (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
Key Products:
- 5 mm Smooth HDPE: 100–10,000 m², $0.35–$1.00/m², 20-year warranty.
- 0 mm Textured HDPE: 1,000–50,000 m², $0.62–$1.50/m², 30-year warranty.
- 5 mm Smooth HDPE: 10,000–100,000 m², $1.50–$2.50/m², 50-year warranty.
Performance Metrics: 640 N puncture resistance, <1×10⁻¹³ cm/s permeability, 20–100-year lifespan.
Sustainability: 15% recycled resin reduces emissions by 10% (Grand View Research, 2024).
Case Study: In 2024, BPM supplied 500 1.0 mm HDPE liners for Malaysian aquaculture ponds (5,000 m² each), costing $3,100–$7,500 each, achieving 95% water retention and 15% cost savings ($750,000 project) (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
Why Choose BPM?: Custom sizes (2–10 m widths), 20–30% bulk discounts, 20-day shipping, and 24/7 support ensure 95% reliability.
5. How to Choose the Right HDPE Geomembrane
5.1 Step 1: Define Project Requirements
- Application: Aquaculture needs fish-safe 0.75–1.0 mm HDPE (BPM, Mipatex). Landfills require 1.5–2.0 mm for 99.9% leachate control (Solmax). Mining suits textured 1.5–3.0 mm for slopes (EarthShield) (bpmgeomembrane.com, 2025).
- Depth: Shallow ponds (<3 ft) use 0.5–0.75 mm; deep reservoirs (>6 ft) need 1.5–3.0 mm (earthshields.com, 2025).
- Budget: Small projects favor recycled resin ($0.28–$1.00/sq ft); critical projects require virgin resin ($0.50–$2.55/sq ft) (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
5.2 Step 2: Evaluate Specifications
- Thickness: 0.75–1.5 mm for medium projects, 1.5–3.0 mm for high-stress applications (bpmgeomembrane.com, 2025).
- Surface: Smooth for flat surfaces, textured for slopes with 25% higher friction (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
- Certifications: GRI-GM13, ISO 9001 ensure 99% quality (earthshields.com, 2025).
- Properties: 95% chemical resistance, 80% UV retention, 640 N puncture resistance (bpmgeomembrane.com, 2025).
5.3 Step 3: Assess Build Quality
- Puncture Resistance: 2.5–4.0 kN (ASTM D4833) reduces punctures by 95% (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
- Seaming: Hot wedge welding (ASTM D6392) achieves 99% seam strength (bpmgeomembrane.com, 2025).
- Testing: Pre-delivery testing by BPM ensures <1% defect rates (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
5.4 Step 4: Plan Installation
- Professional Installation: $0.20–$3.00/sq ft ensures 90% reliability (homeguide.com, 2023).
- Geotextile Underlay: $0.15–$0.50/sq ft extends lifespan by 20–30% (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
- Warranties: 20–50 years for virgin HDPE, 10–20 years for recycled (bpmgeomembrane.com, 2025).
6. Cost Breakdown of HDPE Geomembranes
Material Costs
- 5 mm Smooth HDPE: $0.35–$1.00/m² ($0.03–$0.09/sq ft) (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
- 0 mm Textured HDPE: $0.62–$1.50/m² ($0.06–$0.14/sq ft) (bpmgeomembrane.com, 2025).
- 5 mm Smooth HDPE: $1.50–$2.50/m² ($0.14–$0.23/sq ft) (earthshields.com, 2025).
- 0 mm Textured HDPE: $2.00–$3.50/m² ($0.19–$0.33/sq ft) (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
Installation Costs
- Site Preparation: $0.10–$0.50/sq ft ($1.08–$5.38/m²) (homeguide.com, 2023).
- Geotextile Underlay: $0.15–$0.50/sq ft ($1.62–$5.38/m²) (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
- Welding/Seaming: $0.05–$0.15/sq ft ($0.54–$1.62/m²) (bpmgeomembrane.com, 2025).
- Labor: $0.20–$3.00/sq ft ($2.15–$32.29/m²), 5–10 days for 10,000 m² (homeguide.com, 2023).
Additional Costs
- Shipping: $200–$1,000 for 1,000–10,000 m² (bpmgeomembrane.com, 2025).
- Maintenance: $0.10–$0.50/m² annually for inspections and repairs (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
- Taxes and Duties: 5–15% (dir.indiamart.com, 2025).
7. Comparison Table: HDPE Geomembrane Prices and Specs
Thickness (mm) | Surface | Supplier | Price/m² | Lifespan | Key Features |
0.5 | Smooth | BPM Geosynthetics | $0.35–$1.00 | 10–20 years | Fish-safe, 90% chemical resistance |
1.0 | Textured | EarthShield | $0.62–$1.50 | 20–50 years | 25% higher friction, GRI-GM13 |
1.5 | Smooth | Mipatex | $1.50–$2.50 | 30–100 years | 640 N puncture resistance, UV-resistant |
2.0 | Textured | Solmax | $2.00–$3.50 | 50–100 years | 99.9% seepage control, landfill-grade |
8. Case Studies
BPM Geosynthetics: Malaysian Aquaculture
In 2024, BPM supplied 500 1.0 mm HDPE liners for 5,000 m² fish ponds in Malaysia, costing $3,100–$7,500 each. The liners achieved 95% water retention, boosting fish yields by 15% and saving 20% on water costs ($750,000 project) (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
EarthShield: South African Mining
In 2024, EarthShield provided 200 1.5 mm textured HDPE liners for 10,000 m² mining tailings in South Africa, costing $6,200–$18,000 each. The liners reduced slippage by 22%, saving 18% on installation ($1 million project) (earthshields.com, 2025).
Mipatex: Indian Irrigation
In 2024, Mipatex supplied 1,000 0.75 mm HDPE liners for 2,000 m² irrigation canals in Rajasthan, costing $1,240–$3,000 each. The liners achieved 90% water retention, saving 20% on costs ($500,000 project) (mipaindustries.co.in, 2025).
9. Benefits of HDPE Geomembranes
Impermeability
HDPE liners achieve 99.9% seepage prevention (<1×10⁻¹³ cm/s), reducing water loss by 20% in ponds and 99.9% leachate seepage in landfills (bpmgeomembrane.com, 2025).
Durability
With 20–100-year lifespans and 95% chemical resistance, HDPE liners save 40% on replacements vs. PVC (5–15 years) (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
Environmental Safety
Fish-safe and non-toxic, HDPE prevents soil and groundwater contamination, improving water quality by 20% (earthshields.com, 2025).
Cost-Effectiveness
Priced 20–30% lower than concrete ($50–$130/m²), HDPE reduces material costs by 15–25% (bpmgeosynthetics.com, 2025).
10. Conclusion
HDPE geomembrane prices in 2025 range from $0.50 to $3.50 per square meter ($0.05–$0.33/sq ft), driven by thickness, raw material quality, and installation. Suppliers like BPM Geosynthetics ($0.35–$2.50/m²) GRI-GM13-compliant liners for aquaculture, landfills, and mining. By selecting virgin resin, optimizing thickness (0.75–1.5 mm for most projects), and leveraging bulk discounts, buyers can save 15–25% while ensuring 99.9% seepage control. Contact BPM Geomembrane for custom quotes to enhance your containment projects.