Pallet Stretch Wrap FAQs
When selecting the suitable pallet stretch wrap, questions arise about your load type, application method and shipping requirements. Below you will find some of the most frequently asked questions about stretch wrap, complete with comprehensive answers to help you choose the pallet wrapping solution for your items.
Can continuous manual hand wrapping of pallets cause back injury?
Yes, manually wrapping pallets with poor posture can lead to musculoskeletal injuries, which can result in permanent back damage. According to WorkSafe Australia:Â
- Warehouse workers are over 8 times more likely to suffer back problems compared to other industries.Â
- Around 56% of all workplace injury claims consist of strains and musculoskeletal disorders.Â
- Approximately one-fifth of serious workplace claims involve a back injury.Â
Is stretch wrap recyclable?
Yes, stretch wrap is considered a code 4 LLDPE plastic and is 100% recyclable. It should not be disposed of in the regular recycling bin due to its capacity to jam recycling machinery. It needs to be recycled with other soft plastics, like plastic bags. When kept dry and separate from other contaminants, stretch wrap is a valuable recyclable material.Â
Is stretch wrap made of recycled plastic?
Yes, some types of stretch wrap are made from recycled plastic materials.  Omni Group has developed a pallet wrap made from 30% post-consumer recycled material. This eco-friendly stretch wrap not only helps reduce waste, but it is also fully recyclable, making it a truly sustainable choice. This recycled stretch wrap is available in hand and machine rolls for both types of application.Â
What is the most environmentally sustainable type of stretch wrap?
The most sustainable way to wrap a pallet is by using the minimum amount of stretch wrap needed to sufficiently secure the pallet load. We offer high-performance films that are less than half the thickness of traditional film. Despite using less material, they have superior stretch and puncture resistance. When paired with the Omni Pallet Wrapper's Power-Pre-stretch technology, these films can stretch up to 400%. Additionally, our recycled pallet wrap contains 30% recycled material. It lowers your overall usage and is completely recyclable. Â
What is the difference between blown & cast stretch film?
Both blown and cast pallet wrapping films are used for the same purpose; to secure and contain a load of goods on a pallet. Each type has varying applications, benefits, manufacturing methods and properties.Â
Blown Stretch Wrap:Â Manufactured via a high blowing process that results in a bubble tube which is then flattened into rolls. Blown film has a crisscross molecular structure, lower stretch yield, is tough, tacky, and noisy due to its double-sided stickiness. It appears hazy or cloudy.Â
Cast Stretch Wrap: Produced when molten resin is extruded into layers of film, cooled, and rolled onto cores. Its molecular structure is unidirectional, which allows for stretching of up to 350% when pre-stretched. Cast film is highly clear, and its application is quiet due to the lack of stickiness. Cast films are a lower cost alternative to blown type films. Each type of stretch wrap is available in hand and machine rolls to suit both application methods. They also come in various colours including white, black, red, green, yellow and blue. Â
Blown Stretch Wrap:Â Manufactured via a high blowing process that results in a bubble tube which is then flattened into rolls. Blown film has a crisscross molecular structure, lower stretch yield, is tough, tacky, and noisy due to its double-sided stickiness. It appears hazy or cloudy.Â
Cast Stretch Wrap: Produced when molten resin is extruded into layers of film, cooled, and rolled onto cores. Its molecular structure is unidirectional, which allows for stretching of up to 350% when pre-stretched. Cast film is highly clear, and its application is quiet due to the lack of stickiness. Cast films are a lower cost alternative to blown type films. Each type of stretch wrap is available in hand and machine rolls to suit both application methods. They also come in various colours including white, black, red, green, yellow and blue. Â
Is 'shrink wrap' the same thing as 'stretch wrap'?
No, shrink wrap and stretch wrap are designed for different purposes. Shrink wrap is a heat-activated film made from materials like LDPE, PVC, and polyolefin. It wraps around products of various shapes and sizes, requiring heat to mould the film to the object. On the other hand, stretch wrap is a thinner plastic that stretches around a pallet to secure the load and does not require heat.Â
What is pallet shrink film? Pallet shrink film is a type of shrink wrap that's heat-activated and made from LDPE plastic. It conforms closely to the object it's covering by the application of heat, typically using a gas heat gun. This film comes in varying thicknesses and can also be custom-made to fit specific client needs, including shrink bags and tubing for different pallet sizes.Â
What is Stretch Wrap? Pallet sretch wrap is a thin, elastic plastic film used to wrap pallets and secure the load for storage or transport. Unlike shrink wrap, it does not require heat and can be applied using hand stretch dispensers or pallet wrapping machines. Stretch wrap comes in varied types, thicknesses, colours, and strengths, with specialised versions like ventilated pallet wrap that allows for air circulation.Â
What is pallet shrink film? Pallet shrink film is a type of shrink wrap that's heat-activated and made from LDPE plastic. It conforms closely to the object it's covering by the application of heat, typically using a gas heat gun. This film comes in varying thicknesses and can also be custom-made to fit specific client needs, including shrink bags and tubing for different pallet sizes.Â
What is Stretch Wrap? Pallet sretch wrap is a thin, elastic plastic film used to wrap pallets and secure the load for storage or transport. Unlike shrink wrap, it does not require heat and can be applied using hand stretch dispensers or pallet wrapping machines. Stretch wrap comes in varied types, thicknesses, colours, and strengths, with specialised versions like ventilated pallet wrap that allows for air circulation.Â
What does stretch wrap 'neck down' mean?
'Neck down' refers to the narrowing of the film's width after being stretched. This reduction is more noticeable when the film is pre-stretched. The unique rubber roller system on the Omni pallet wrappers can prevent significant necking down, allowing the film to be pre-stretched up to 400% with minimal width reduction.Â
What are the advantages of using coloured stretch wrap?
Coloured stretch wrap can be used for easy pallet identification and has many benefits:Â
- Categorise different pallet loads for transport and distribution.Â
- Provide security for high-value products using opaque colours like white or black films to obscure the contents.Â
- Protect heat sensitive products with white stretch wrap, as it does not attract heat.Â
- Isolate products by using specific colours for returns, sizing, or quality assurance.Â
- Improve brand recognition by using corporate colours. Â
Is thicker stretch wrap stronger?
Thicker stretch wrap isn't necessarily stronger. Omni has pioneered high-performance films that are less than half the micron thickness of traditional stretch wrap. This greatly improves stretch yield and puncture resistance. Omni’s PerformX stretch wrap is 5um thick and includes three 30um reinforcement strips which minimising breakages.Â
What is the maximum stretch yield of Omni pallet wrap?
Stretch wrap yield depends on the type and grade of the film being used, and the power pre-stretch function of the pallet wrapping machine. Producing a high stretch yield improves film usage and improves load containment. When using Omni pallet wrappers and stretch wrap together, users can achieve a 400% stretch yield. If a 2000m roll of film is stretched to 400%, it will extend over 10000m. As a result, you can wrap more pallets with less film and still maintain strength and protection.Â
What makes reinforcement strips in stretch wrap beneficial?
Reinforcement strips prevent small punctures from becoming a larger. Traditional films are more susceptible to rips and tears which can result in wrapping delays and wastage. The reinforcement strips found in PerformX stretch wrap will restrict tearing for a more reliable pallet wrapping experience. Â Â Â
How does reinforced stretch wrap improve load security?
Omni's reinforced stretch wrap has a 60% greater holding force than a conventional 23um film. The superior strength found in reinforced stretch wrap means fewer rotations are needed to secure a load securely. Therefore, the amount of stretch wrap needed per pallet is reduced by 50%, guaranteeing lower costs. Reinforcement strips prevent small punctures from becoming a larger. Traditional films are more susceptible to rips and tears which can result in wrapping delays and wastage. The reinforcement strips found in PerformX stretch wrap will restrict tearing for a more reliable pallet wrapping experience.   Â
If you have further questions about stretch wrap, please contact our team, and we'll be happy to assist you in making the best choice for your pallet wrapping needs.