What is Stretch Film or Stretch Wrap?

It’s fair to assume that most packages you receive have been wrapped in stretch film, also called stretch wrap, at some point in transit. This plastic film secures boxes to pallets, protecting them as they move from point A to point B.

Stretch film may look like heavy-duty plastic wrap, but it’s engineered for much more. It’s made from linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), designed with elasticity and “stretch memory” to hold palletized products tightly. It protects against dust, moisture, and shifting during transport—and comes in multiple gauges, colors, and formulations.

Choosing the Right Film

Selecting the correct stretch film depends on several factors:

Load Profile:

A: Uniform, stable loads with no protrusions.
B: Semi-stable loads with edges extending up to two inches.
C: Irregular or unstable loads with protrusions over two inches.

1. Current Process: Efficiency matters. Many companies use more wrap than needed. Modern resin technology allows you to use fewer layers while maintaining strength and reducing waste.

2. Load Force (or Force to Load): The film’s gauge (thickness) affects strength and stretch memory. Heavier loads may need thicker, puncture-resistant film; lighter loads can use thinner gauges to cut plastic usage.

3. Volume & Equipment: Small operations (fewer than 20 pallets per day) can use hand wrap. Larger operations benefit from semi-automatic or fully automatic machines to improve consistency and lower labor costs.

4. Storage & Shipment: Consider where wrapped pallets are stored and how they’ll be shipped. Outdoor or long-haul transport may require UV protection or higher-gauge film for impact resistance.

With the right film and application process, you can balance protection, sustainability, and cost efficiency.

The Benefits of Stretch Film

Stretch film offers a range of benefits across logistics and supply chain operations.

1. Increased Efficiency: Unitizing products onto pallets saves time and reduces labor strain. Workers move entire pallet loads instead of individual boxes, cutting down handling time and injury risk.

2. Product Protection: Stretch wrap shields shipments from dirt, dust, moisture, and UV exposure. It also discourages tampering and theft—opaque films even conceal valuable products.

3. Inventory Control: Unitizing goods helps track inventory more accurately and reduces the chance of product separation or loss.

4. Versatility Stretch film comes in many options—clear, tinted, UVI-resistant, or ventilated—to suit various storage environments and load types.

5. Cost Efficiency: Compared to strapping or shrink wrapping, stretch wrap is economical and minimizes material waste. Case studies show companies reducing film usage by up to 25% annually while eliminating product damage.

6. Sustainability: Many films are recyclable, and cleaner post-use film can be repurposed into new rolls. Using less film overall also means less waste in the first place.

Common Types of Stretch Wrap Machines and Equipment

Choosing the right equipment depends on your packaging volume, load profile, and labor availability.

1. Manual Wrapping: Best for low-volume operations (under 10 pallets daily). Operators wrap pallets by hand—simple, but labor intensive.

2. Semi-Automatic Wrappers: Operators start and finish the process, but the machine handles the wrapping itself. Available in three main configurations:

 • High Profile: For forklift use, with elevated turntables.
 • Low Profile: Easier to load with ramps.
 • Rotary Arm: Wraps stationary loads, ideal for heavy or unstable pallets.

3. Fully Automatic Systems: These systems load, wrap, and unload pallets without operator input.

4. Floor Automatics: Compact and cost-effective for warehouse use.

5. Conveyorized Automatics: Integrated into production lines for high-volume operations.

Automatic systems can dramatically improve throughput and consistency—sometimes proving worthwhile even for mid-sized operations experiencing labor shortages.

The Rise of PCR Stretch Film

As sustainability becomes a higher priority in packaging, post-consumer recycled (PCR) stretch film is leading the charge.

What is PCR Stretch Film?
PCR stretch film is made using recycled plastic recovered from consumer use—such as recycled stretch wrap, bags, and packaging materials. Group O offers stretch films with up to 30% PCR content, maintaining the same strength and clarity as traditional virgin resin film.

Environmental and Cost Advantages
Through testing and field research, Group O has demonstrated that 30% PCR stretch film can be cost-neutral—or even cost-saving—compared to virgin film.

That’s because new multi-layer film technologies allow for:

 • Reduced material usage without compromising load containment.
 • Lower film weight per pallet, translating to material savings.
 • Comparable performance, maintaining product safety and security.

Performance in Practice
PCR stretch film performs on par with conventional options in most applications. It stretches, clings, and protects with the same reliability—while significantly lowering your operation’s environmental footprint.

Sustainability Impact
Switching to PCR stretch film contributes directly to sustainability goals, including:

 • Reduced virgin plastic consumption.
 • Lower Scope 3 emissions.
 • Support for circular economy initiatives.

Learn more about Group O’s research-backed PCR stretch film and sustainable packaging solutions here.

Whether you wrap two pallets or 200 pallets a day, finding the right stretch wrap equipment is essential to ensure successful business operations. Contact us today to optimize your stretch film program.