The ethylene polymerization activities of low-temperature plasma-activated CrOx/SiO2 catalysts prepared from two different types of precursor are compared. Chromium(III) acetate wet impregnated onto high surface area silica is found to yield polyethylene, while chromium(III) acetylacetonate dry blended with silica does not. This is despite both precursors exhibiting good catalytic activity following conventional thermal activation.