Stretch film is a packaging material widely used in everyday life, in the field of storage, packaging and delivery of goods, sales and catering, in production, during repairs, etc.
Content:
1. What are the main types of stretch films?
2. What are the benefits of using stretch films?
3. Which fields can stretch films be used in?
4. What are the types of stretch films based on thickness?
5. What are the materials of stretch films?
6. Is stretch film eco-friendly?
1. What are the main types of stretch films?
There are two types of stretch film (wrap) - cling and industrial film.
The main difference is as follows: cling film is intended for food products - for direct contact with food. All other stretch options - machine or manual - are used only in non-food industries for packing boxes, pallets, furniture.
Regular stretch without the prefix "food" cannot be used for food. Also, these two types of films differ in web width, density and material characteristics.
Cling films most often are used in stores for packaging products. In addition, cling film is used in everyday life to preserve the freshness of food and protect cooked dishes from weathering.
The main characteristics of cling film:
· High level of stretching - from 70 to 300% (after stretching, the original shape can be restored).
· Transparency, thanks to which there is a visual access to the products.
· Resistance to electromagnetic waves, high and low temperatures, which makes it possible to use the film in a freezer and other conditions.
· Impermeability- provides a reliable barrier and protection against bacteria, which retains all the useful properties and freshness of food for a long time.
· Moisture and air impermeability.
· Resistance to acids, alkalis, etc.
· Vapor resistance. This property reduces the likelihood of mold and slime, which is especially important when packaging products with a high amount of moisture - such as meat, sausages, cottage cheese and many others.
Industrial stretch is intended for packaging of non-food products, and it is impermeable. It doesn't let air through.
This stretch film is suitable for protecting any items, regardless of their size and shape. Plus, it does not require much space, allows you to store more things. For example, you can pack items for long-term storage. With stretch, you can carefully pack items that are subject to long-term storage such as shoes, toys, bags, etc.
The film is also suitable for protecting furniture and appliances during repairment. It is not always possible to take out the furniture and household appliances from the apartment during repair work. In order not to stain them with construction dust, you can use cheap stretch.
Installation of greenhouses and mini-greenhouses. The film is cheaper than conventional polyethylene and is less prone to tearing. Polyethylene tears easily in windy weather and is not able to withstand hail. Stretch is not afraid of the wind, as it stretches. In terms of light transmission, it is not inferior to ordinary PE film, it is safe for plants.
Industrial stretch films are designed for automatic wrapping.
2. What are the benefits of using stretch films?
Here are some main benefits of using stretch films:
Product protection. This is the basic function and advantage of stretch film rolls. The product is wrapped in stretch film to protect it from environmental influences such as dirt, dust and moisture. It helps keep cargo clean and dry while still being clearly visible.
Product damage is decreased. Stretch films give you the ability to safely wrap your shipment and make it stable, reducing the possibility of product shifting during delivery.
Recyclable. Most stretch films are environmentally friendly and 100% recyclable. If you keep it clean, you can easily recycle it. A stretch roll completely wraps and bundles your parcels and luggage.
Best of all, you can also cover the product with an opaque stretch film. A clear stretch film allows the scanning system to read it without any problem.
Reasonable cost. Stretch film and the equipment required to use it are less expensive than alternatives, which can result in significant inventory savings.
3. Which fields can stretch films be used in?
Stretch film is widely used in warehouses, for packing groceries, ready meals, frozen products and protecting furniture during transportation or repair, etc. This is a valuable material that protects packaged goods from moisture, dust and scratches, and also allows you to control the condition of the content.
In addition to warehouses, shops, logistics and mail, stretch film is widely used in everyday life. For example, for packing clothes when moving or storing until the season, as well as wrapping sandwiches for a snack at work.
Stretch film is also used in medicine, cosmetology, and in hairdressing - in hair coloring.
Stretch wrap is an extremely thin, stretchable plastic film that is frequently created from polyethylene. It is utilized to lock and secure goods to a pallet. Stretch-wrap can also be recycled, but make sure soft plastics are accepted at your recycling facility (recycling centre).
According to the packaging method two methods can be used to apply stretch wrap: manually, and automatically. However, managing loads manually is time consuming, physically demanding, and can lead to repetitive strain injuries in some cases.
4. What are the types of stretch films based on thickness?
Main areas of application of stretch film depends on the thickness of the canvases, measured in micrometers (µm). 1 µm = 0.001 mm, for comparison, a human hair is about 40 µm thick. Based on this, the film can be divided into several types:
3-11 microns - cling film. A very thin canvas that does not contain glue or other substances harmful to health. It is used for packaging food products, protecting them from dust and moisture, and also preventing fat, sauce, etc. from leaking out. The film stretches well, but it tears and pierces quite easily.
13-25 microns - pallet or packaging film. The most common and popular type of film used for packaging all kinds of goods. With its help, both manual and machine packaging is possible.
25-60 microns - building film. It is used for packing heavy and bulky goods, helping to avoid their shifting in rows on a pallet when moving. It is also used for organizing greenhouses and in private households and as a temporary replacement for glass in windows during construction or repair.
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5. What are the materials of stretch films?
Main materials of stretch films are:
Polyethylene. The non-toxic material allows the film to be used in the food industry and everyday life for packaging food, medicines, personal care products, etc.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Elastic and durable material with good adhesion and a high level of smoothness. It is used to protect the transport packaging of goods and the wrapping of pallets. Direct contact of such a film with products for internal consumption is undesirable, since it often contains chemical additives that increase the adhesiveness of the web for better adhesion of the winding layers.
Polystyrene and copolymers (EVA). Reliable material with low transparency and high density - it fixes heavy loads on the pallet well and prevents rows from shifting in the pallet. Often EVA film is made entirely from recycled materials or has it in its composition.
6. Is stretch film eco-friendly?
Although stretch films are useful in many industries, the eco-friendliness of stretch films is determined by several factors. Stretch film that can be recycled helps to reduce waste and the demand for new plastic materials. Stretch film can be contaminated because of its size and form, and not all recycling facilities accept it. Therefore, efficient recycling depends on appropriate recycling infrastructure and customer awareness.
Stretch film production requires energy, mainly in the form of fossil fuels. This contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, further exacerbating environmental problems.
Stretch film can be replaced with more environmentally friendly options. For instance, several businesses have created bio-based films using sugarcane or cornstarch as renewable resources. These alternatives offer more sustainable options because they are biodegradable, compostable, or recyclable.
In summary, stretch wrap has become a crucial tool in various industries because it can safely and effectively wrap and protect items. Its flexibility, durability and cost efficiency make it a good choice for your packaging needs. However, it is important to consider environmental impact, minimize waste and seek sustainable alternatives to encourage greener approaches in the long run.
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