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Know your stretch wrap: what is ‘blown’ and ‘cast’ wrap and what’s the difference?

16/4/23
Stretch wraps (both blown and cast) are used to contain and protect products on a pallet during transit and storage. While both perform the same function, there are multiple strengths, colours and lengths to suit different applications.
Stretch Wrap is manufactured via two different methods using different resin technology, giving the film different properties and performance levels. They are commonly referred to as blown and cast.


What is blown stretch wrap? 
Blown stretch films are manufactured by forcing molten resin through a circular die, creating a bubble tube that is blown more than 10 metres high. The bubble is then flattened and produced into rolls of film. The molecular structure of blown film is two-way (or criss-crossed), so that when tensioned, it locks in firmly. It has a much lower stretch yield compared to cast films. Blown stretch film is known to be tough, and tacky and has a hazy or cloudy-looking surface. The double-sided tack makes it a noisy product to use compared to cast films.


Australia is one of the few countries remaining to use blown film for stretch wrap. Elsewhere in the world, blown extruded plastic is mainly used for rolls of protective film, starting at thicknesses of 50 microns, up to 200 microns.

The Omni range of Blown Stretch Wrap
Omni Group stocks conventional blown wrap hand and machine rolls.
These are all available in clear and coloured in black, white and red, with hand rolls available in black.
         
What is cast stretch wrap?
Our cast stretch films are created by molten resin fed through a large extruder that then creates layers of film to the desired thickness (microns), then cooled creating multiple layers of thin film. This multi-layered film is then rolled onto cores. The molecular structure of cast film is one-directional, running down the length of the film. When stretched through a pre-stretch pallet wrapper, it has a very high stretch yield of up to *350%. Cast stretch film has high clarity and is quiet in its application.

The Omni range of Cast Stretch Wrap
● *Euro machine wrap rolls available in clear.
● Elite hand and machine wrap rolls available in clear.
● Masterwrap hand and machine rolls available in clear.
● Conventional cast hand and machine wrap rolls available in clear.
● Coloured cast machine wrap rolls available in black, white and red.
● Hand rolls are available in various colours, including yellow, green and blue as well as black as a standard. 
*Euro wrap has the capability to stretch at 350%.

What is a ‘pre-stretched’ pallet wrapping film?
Pre-stretched film (or wrap) is used to reduce the need to pull extra tension whilst applying the film to a pallet. For this reason, the hand rolls are recognized and supported as a desired film for OH&S purposes. Used correctly, pre-stretch hand film will reduce back strain when hand-wrapping pallets. Omni Dynamic Wrap is pre-stretched in production, prior to it being transferred onto cores. Specifically suited for packaging lighter weight products that tend to move around on the pallet whilst the wrap is being stretched for containment.

The Omni range of pre-stretched film
● Omni Elite Wrap Rolled Edge Pre-Stretched Wrap – Machine
● Omni Elite Wrap Rolled Edge Pre-Stretched Wrap – Hand

Omni Rolled Edge Wrap:
● No tensioning is required when applying to pallets using our exclusive Elite Glide Hand Stretch Wrap dispenser.
● User-friendly – Easy to handle and apply.
● Reduced film usage.
● Load integrity strength and grip secure loads effectively to the pallet.

Know your stretch wrap: what is ‘blown’ and ‘cast’ wrap and what’s the difference?

16/4/23
Pallet wrapping films (both blown and cast) are used to contain and protect products on a pallet during transit and storage. While both perform the same function, there are multiple strengths, colours and lengths to suit different applications. Stretch Wrap is manufactured via two different methods using different resin technology, giving the film different properties and performance levels. They are commonly referred to as blown and cast.


What is blown stretch wrap? 
Blown pallet wrapping films are manufactured by forcing molten resin through a circular die, creating a bubble tube that is blown more than 10 metres high. The bubble is then flattened and produced into rolls of film. The molecular structure of blown film is two-way (or criss-crossed) so that when tensioned, it locks in firmly. It has a much lower stretch yield compared to cast films. Blown pallet wrap is known to be tough, and tacky and has a hazy or cloudy-looking surface. The double-sided tack makes it a noisy product to use compared to cast films.

Omni produces blown films in hand and machine rolls for both pallet wrapping methods. 


What is cast stretch wrap?
Our cast pallet wrapping is created by molten resin fed through a large extruder that then creates layers of film to the desired thickness (microns), then cooled creating multiple layers of thin film. This multi-layered film is then rolled onto cores. The molecular structure of cast film is one-directional, running down the length of the film. When stretched through a pre-stretch pallet wrapper, it has a very high stretch yield of up to 350%. The cast-type stretch film has high clarity and is quiet in its application.

Omni produces cast films in hand and machine rolls to suit both pallet wrapping applications. This range includes;

What is a ‘pre-stretched’ pallet wrapping film?
Pre-stretched film is used to reduce the need to pull extra tension whilst applying the film to a pallet. For this reason, the hand rolls are recognized and supported as a desired film for OH&S purposes. Used correctly, pre-stretch hand film will reduce back strain when hand-wrapping pallets. Specifically suited for packaging lighter weight products that tend to move around on the pallet whilst the wrap is being stretched for containment.

The Elite Wrap 'Rolled Edge' range are pre-stretched films. This pallet wrap is made in hand and machine rolls for both wrapping methods. 

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