Stretch Wrap & Pallet Wrap

Pallet wrap, also called stretch film, is commonly used for wrapping items that are loaded on to a pallet.

The elastic and stretchy nature of the film means items wrapped in it are tightly bound together. This provides effective load containment during storage and transit.

Pallet wrap can also provide protection against dust, moisture and environmental fluctuations.

There are three main types of stretch film that you’ll come across:

Blown Stretch Film

Blown stretch films are made using a circular die that extrudes bubble of film. Additives are used to provide high cling and good load stabilisation attributes.

Characteristics of blown stretch wrap:

• Milkier or dull film appearance
• High cling on both sides of the film
• Excellent puncture resistance
• Bi-directional tear resistance

Cast Stretch Film

Cast stretch films are made using a flat die and can be produced with multiple layers. They have a smooth surface with excellent gloss, strength and cling without additives.

Characteristics of cast stretch wrap:

• Clear and glossy film
• High transparency
• Film has cling on one side only
• Lower noise when being unwound
• Superior tear resistance

Pre-Stretched Film

Pre-stretched film involves stretching the film during manufacture. This can help improve film strength, load stability and even the amount of film needed to wrap goods.

Characteristics of pre-stretch film:

• Good yield
• Very strong film
• Good for fast wrapping, so often used with pallet wrappers

These types of stretch film may be further categorised by how they’re applied, such as hand stretch film or machine film.

You may also find that certain pallet wraps are defined by their core size or type. For example, hand applied pallet wrap may have an extended core or a flush core.

Using stretch wrap has lots of benefits. They include:

• Preventing product damage
• Securing products and effective load containment
• Ensuring the safe movement of goods
• Minimising tampering
• Protecting goods from dust, moisture and dirt
• Protecting items stored outdoors from UV rays or corrosion, depending on the film

Yes, you can recycle pallet wrap and stretch film. In fact, many stretch films now contain recycled content.

If you’re looking to recycle your pallet wrap, you should check locally to find the best place to do so.

Stretch film is made from linear low-density polyethylene (LDPE) resins.

Depending on the manufacturing process, some stretch films can also be made with pigments in the film to colour it. Plus, some stretch wrap is manufactured using special additives to offer UV protection or anti-corrosion properties.

The technique you use to properly apply stretch wrap depends on if you’re applying it by hand or with a pallet wrapping machine.

Tips for properly applying stretch wrap by hand include:

• Placing the inside of the film on the pallet surface
• Securing the film to the pallet before wrapping by tying it to the pallet base
• Ensuring the film covers the base of the pallet and the bottom layer of the load
• Wrapping the base of the load twice to secure it
• Overlapping film by 30-50% while wrapping

When using a pallet wrapper, the proper application method will vary from machine to machine.

The average cost of stretch wrap fluctuates, just like any product you buy. Factors like the cost of raw materials, material availability and supply and demand all influence how much pallet wrap costs.

At Macfarlane Packaging, our pallet wrap is priced per unit (per roll) and per pack (usually six rolls per pack for standard size rolls, but this can differ).

No, stretch film and cling film are not the same.

Both are types of plastic films, but they do not serve the same function.

Stretch film is used for securing and stabilising palletised goods, while cling film is used for food storage and preparation.

Shrink wrap and stretch wrap are phrases that are often used interchangeably when referring to material used to wrap pallets.

However, shrink wrap and stretch wrap are not the same; while they are both plastic packaging materials, they are applied differently and can have distinct functions.

Stretch wrap, also known as pallet wrap or stretch film, is made of plastic and is highly elastic. It clings to itself due to its elasticity. Stretch wrap is stretched and pulled tightly during application, securing items together and providing stability. It does not require heat to shrink it. Stretch wrap is primarily used for securing and stabilising loads on pallets for transportation or storage. It prevents items from shifting, falling, or getting damaged during transit.

Shrink wrap is typically made of plastic, such as polyethylene or polyolefin. It is used to tightly encase products or bundles. Shrink wrap applied in a loose form and then heated to shrink and conform tightly around the items. The shrinking process involves applying heat using a heat gun or a shrink tunnel. As the film heats, it contracts and conforms tightly around the product, creating a snug, protective covering. Shrink wrap can be used to cover pallets, but it is commonly used for wrapping and bundling smaller items, including food, toiletries and more!

In summary, the key difference is that shrink wrap relies on heat to shrink and conform, while stretch wrap relies on tension to secure and stabilise loads.

The difference between blown stretch film and cast stretch film is the way they’re made.

Blown stretch wrap is made when molten plastic resin is extruded vertically through a circular die. This creates a bubble and the air in the bubble slowly cools the film. The film is then flattened and made into tubes or cut to make rolls of stretch wrap.

Blown stretch film isn’t as clear as cast film. However, it has excellent puncture resistant and can offer high holding power. You may be able to identify blown stretch wrap by the high noise it produced when unwound.

Cast stretch wrap is manufactured when molten plastic resin is extruded horizontally through a flat die to create a sheet of material. The material is then passed over chilled rollers, which cool the film rapidly before trimming and rolling.

Cast stretch film is usually very clear and has good puncture resistance. It’s also low noise when it’s unwound from a roll.