Stretch Film Suppliers & Manufacturers

Stretch film types, construction, and specifications

Stretch film (also called stretch wrap or pallet wrap) is a highly stretchable plastic film — predominantly linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) — used to wrap and stabilise unit loads on pallets for transport and warehouse storage. Stretch film is wound around the pallet load under tension, and the film's elastic recovery keeps the load tightly bound. Key stretch film types and parameters: hand stretch film — manual application by a warehouse operative wrapping a roll around the pallet; typically supplied on a core roll 450–500mm wide in 17–25 micron gauge; standard roll length 150–300 metres. Machine stretch film (pallet wrapping machine film) — applied by a rotary pallet wrapper or turntable stretch wrapper; typically 500mm wide, 17–25 micron, supplied in longer rolls (300–500 metres) at higher elongation for machine pre-stretch. Pre-stretched film — film that has already been machine-stretched to near its maximum elongation before rewinding, so that the film applies minimal tension during wrapping — used where fragile loads must not be compressed by wrapping tension. Cast stretch film — the dominant film type — produced by extruding the LLDPE melt through a flat die and cooling on a chill roll; provides excellent clarity, quiet unwinding, and consistent gauge. Blown stretch film — produced by the blown film extrusion process; provides higher puncture resistance and higher cling than cast film — preferred for wrapping irregular-shaped loads, sharp-edged products, or high-value loads requiring maximum puncture resistance; noisier to unwind than cast film. Nano-layer stretch film — a multi-layer cast film using 5–11 layer co-extrusion to achieve higher performance at thinner gauge — enabling gauge reduction (from 20 micron to 14–17 micron) while maintaining performance, reducing plastic weight and cost.