Stretch film for manual packaging: types, properties and purpose

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Today, few people think that the packaging of a product is as important as the product itself. The thing is that the safety of products, their appearance and shelf life depend on high-quality packaging. Also, do not forget that competent packaging can be effectively used for marketing purposes. However, there is another type of packaging, the most popular version of which is widely used in supermarkets. This is a stretch film for manual packaging.

Definition

Stretch film is a group of polymers used for packaging materials and has selective adhesive properties. In simple terms, such a film adheres very well to itself when it is packed in several layers, but does not stick to the packaged product at all. Another feature is the ability to stretch without damaging the structure of the material. As a result, the film will return to its original shape some time after packaging is completed.

Dignity

In addition to the above, stretch film also has a number of the following positive characteristics:

• increased resistance to various types of damage;
• transparency, providing visual access to the packaged product;
• barrier properties (protection of content from dirt, moisture and unhindered access by unauthorized persons);
• Reliable fixation of the content, which is especially important when transporting it over long distances;
• attractive price of stretch film (190 m of film per roll will cost you around 250 rubles);
• preserving its characteristics over a wide temperature range.

All these advantages lead to the fact that stretch film is simply an indispensable material in various industries, from food to construction.

Based on this, there are several classifications of material according to various criteria.

Classification by function

According to this classification, stretch film is divided into two types:

1. Food.
2. Technical.

Based on the name, it becomes clear that food stretch film for manual packaging is used in the food industry and everyday life for food packaging. The most surprising thing here is that absolutely any food product can be packed with it, since it has no smell and does not contain any harmful substances. Even prolonged contact with this packaging material will not harm the food in any way. What's more, this transparent stretch film for manual packagingvery convenient to determine the quality of packaged products.

The upgraded version of the cling film is breathable. Its special structure lets oxygen in and expels moisture and carbon dioxide out.

Technical film, in turn, is used for packaging various goods, from building materials to printing products. Compared to food, it is thicker and more durable. Its main purpose is to protect the goods from external factors.

Classification by material

Here you can find three main types of stretch film:

1. Plastic stretch film.
2. PVC stretch film.
3. Polystyrene and EVA stretch film.

The first type is considered the most common, since it is he who is used in the food industry. The width of this type of stretch film ranges from 225 to 450 mm, it can be easily purchased at almost any hardware store or in the construction department of any hypermarket.

The second type of film is also used in the food industry, since polyvinyl chloride passes various gases through itself. Moreover, you can find such a film in various colors.

The last type of film in this classification is represented by the most modern material. It is quite clear that the price of this type of stretch film is higher than usual (more than 300 rubles per roll), but improved performancecharacteristics fully justify the extra financial costs.

Classification by production method

In this case, there are two main technologies for the production of stretch film:

1. Blow extrusion technology.
2. Slot Extrusion Technology.

The first technology produces a durable and strong packaging material that can easily be extended two or three times. It is this film that is considered a universal option for packaging various goods.

The second technology involves the production of a film in the form of a multilayer web, which is further packed into rolls of stretch film for ease of use. Since different layers are responsible for different properties of the product (external - for adhesiveness, internal - for strength), this material has excellent performance characteristics.

Classification by application

According to the latest classification, this material can be divided into the following types:

1. Hand stretch film.
2. Machine stretch film.

The first type is considered the easiest to use, because the stretch film for manual packaging is very convenient to use. The packaging process using this material is completely manual without the use of any special equipment. However, this material is often installed on a stretch film dispenser for better packing convenience.

As for machine stretch film, this materialused for packaging with special devices called pallet wrappers. These machines vary significantly in the way they function, performance and, accordingly, price. Separately, it is worth mentioning here that the speed and quality of packaging significantly depend on whether the stretch film was selected and installed correctly.

Substitutes

Given its superior performance, it's no surprise that stretch film for hand wrapping has several equals. The first of these are stretch hoods, which are actively used in the food industry. Roughly speaking, these are bags that can be stretched to the required size and put on the load. After that, the film is compressed to securely fix the load. It is clear that this method of packaging is only suitable for those goods that are devoid of sharp parts.

The second analogue is represented by polyethylene shrink hoods. They are similar to stretch hoods as both are worn over a load. A distinctive feature of shrink hoods is that heat shrink can be applied to them. After they are already put on, they are significantly compressed under the influence of heaters in order to fix the load as firmly as possible. So this type of packaging is ideal for storing and transporting large and heavy goods. However, this analogue has a significant drawback, expressed by a high price.

Conclusion

Polyethylene is one of the most common materials in many industriesindustry. That is why the stretch film developed on its basis is very popular and is an almost indispensable tool when there is a need to pack something quickly and reliably. There are different types of this packaging material, each of which has its own characteristics, advantages and purpose. Despite the fact that today there are a number of analogues of this material, stretch film does not lose its leading position on all fronts.