STRETCH FILM

The main use of stretch film is to secure and stabilize loads. It is used to wrap goods on pallets, preventing them from shifting during transport. It protects them from tipping over, mechanical damage, and moisture. As a versatile material, it is also used for collective packaging or protecting individual products from dirt and moisture. Additionally, different colours of film can be used to differentiate products in a warehouse.

Stretch film is made from polyethylene granulate (LLDPE), which allows for high stretchability, making it an ideal material for wrapping and securing loads. It is resistant to punctures, tears, and stress. Stretch film adheres to itself, eliminating the need for additional adhesives or tapes. It protects goods from moisture, dust, dirt, and light exposure to UV rays.

Stretch film is made of plastic, so it should be disposed of in the yellow bin designated for plastic and metal waste.

The most common colours of stretch film are clear, black, and blue. The choice of colour depends on specific needs, such as load protection, identification, or aesthetic considerations. Clear film allows for quick identification of the load’s contents, black film protects against UV rays and prevents identification of contents, while coloured films can be used for aesthetic reasons or for load coding.

Stretch film is made from linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), which is a type of plastic. The primary material is polyethylene granulate (LLDPE), and other additives depend on the type of film and the manufacturer. These can include UV stabilizers, dyes, antistatic agents, and adhesion modifiers.

Microns are a unit of length used for measurements in the micro and nanoscale. In manufacturing and packaging, such as stretch film or food wrap, thickness is often expressed in microns (e.g., 20 µm). 1 micron = 1 µm = 0.001 mm = 10⁻⁶ meter (one millionth of a meter).

Black and coloured stretch film is used to protect against UV radiation, cover contents (e.g., to prevent theft), or for pallet coding. Transparent (colourless) stretch film, on the other hand, makes it easier to quickly identify the contents of packages.

It depends on the load you need to secure with the film. Standard values range from 12 µm to 35 µm. Thinner films (12–17 µm) are used for light loads, while thicker films (20–35 µm) are used for heavy or sharp loads. The thickness of the film affects the price (the thicker, the more expensive), so it is worth conducting tests in the warehouse to select the most cost-effective option that will still be sufficient to properly secure the goods.

Net weight and gross weight are important distinctions when it comes to stretch film. Make sure to verify how much film is actually on the roll. Some offers list the gross weight (including the core), while others list the net weight (the weight of the film itself). Failing to verify this information may result in comparing prices for two different products.