Pallet Film

Order pallet film for packing goods on Euro pallets.

A film for packing pallets, is called stretch film, pallet film or wrapping film. Stretch film is used to wrap pallets in order to secure the goods stored on them. It is called stretch film pallet film because it is mainly used for pallet wrapping. Since the needs in different branches of logistics are different, such films are available in several proven colors, sizes and film thicknesses.
Stretch film can stretch under tension. As a result, it closely conforms to the pallet load. Already pre-stretched pallet films are called shrink films. They shrink under heat so that they fit tightly enough.
The conformable stretch films are also used for safe pallet storage. They are stretchable, weather resistant and tear resistant. Transparent film wrapping prevents loss of individual cartons as well as their contamination or moisture penetration. Since tightly wrapped pallet film webs are relatively puncture resistant, damage to package contents is largely prevented.
Pallet film is also considered a measure of safe pallet storage and accident prevention. Stretch film is used to wrap pallets to prevent individual parts of the load from becoming detached from the composite during transport to the high-load rack with a lift truck.

Additional advantages are offered by the fact that the films are puncture-proof, waterproof, stretchable and tear-resistant. They are also extremely adaptable. They can be used with mechanical hand unwinding or by means of a hand roller. The most used films in the field of logistics are transparent or black.
In addition to film for pallets , which are only stretched during use, there are also pre-stretched films in the trade. These are also tear-resistant and weatherproof, but are not as adaptable. Stretch film for pallets is used by employees in logistics companies to prevent the cargo of a truck or shipping container from getting dirty or falling down. Wrapping the load with film prevents individual cartons being loaded from slipping and jamming.
In fact, the loaded Euro pallets fit next to each other in trucks or containers to the nearest centimeter. Every slipping or tilted package on a poorly secured pallet would be disruptive. It would complicate the loading process and could increase the risk of accidents later on. To make loading containers or high load racks safer, stretch film is used when wrapping pallets. The film wraps stabilize the pallet contents. They also prevent falling or loss of a part of the load and stabilize the whole unit from the pallet and its loading.

Is pallet film suitable for both light and heavy loads?

There is a choice of films made of PE or so-called LDPE films. Most of them are made of tear-resistant and stretchable polyethylene. The abbreviation "LDPE films" refers to the material Low Density Polyethylene, which is used for so-called shrink films. These special films contract when exposed to heat. As a result, they wrap themselves more tightly around the goods being transported. LDPE films are used as pallet films in the food trade because of their properties. They are recyclable, stretchable and robust. Less energy is consumed in their production.
Generally, a distinction is made between hand stretch films, which can be used manually, and pallet films, which enable machine wrapping of Euro pallets. The hand stretch films can get a better handling with a suitable film dispenser. It is easy to determine which film thickness is right for your purposes. Lighter cardboard boxes are wrapped with thinner pallet films with 17 my (microns), heavy ones with more stable films, which have 20 my or 23 my film thickness. In specialized shops you can also find transparent or black stretch films with 28 or 30 my film thickness.

The basic rule for wrapping pallet loads is that pallet films with 17 my are suitable for securing loads with a maximum weight of 500 kilograms.
For loads weighing between 500 and 700 kilograms on the pallet, pallet stretch film with 20 my or 23 my should always be selected. Loads weighing more than 800 kilograms are secured with pallet films of 23 my or 30 my thickness. The pallet height or the pallet contents may determine whether only foot wrapping or additional head wrapping is used. As a rule, the goods are secured by both forms of wrapping.
Stretch wrapping serves on the one hand to protect the cargo, and on the other hand to stabilize the cargo against slipping. Stretching of pallet loads by means of pallet foils also facilitates pallet storage in unroofed courtyards of factories or in parking areas close to ports or in warehouses of a seaport area. Logistics becomes more efficient and safer due to the secured pallet packaging.

The advantages and properties of pallet stretch film

Pallet film made of PE or Low Density Polyethylene is flexible and stretchable as well as tear resistant and puncture proof. As a rule, heavily loaded stretch film pallets are wrapped with several layers of pallet film. This achieves enormous holding forces. Anti-theft protection is also achieved. No carton can get lost during further transport.
For light cargo, the weather-resistant pallet stretch film serves to protect against loss, moisture penetration and contamination. Light cargo requires a smaller number of film wraps. Pallet stretch film is therefore suitable for both heavy loads and light contents. It is easy to operate and can be used both manually and mechanically.
Special equipment is possible, but not available from every supplier.
Other advantages include waterproofing and weather resistance. This means that the wrapped pallets can be temporarily stored on company premises or in a container port, regardless of the weather, without the cargo being damaged by the weather. They are then stored in a heavy-duty rack or stowed in a truck or container for further transport.
Often, weather-resistant and stretchable pallet foils are still made from crude oil. Nowadays, however, pallet foils can also be bio-based and recyclable.

The future belongs to sustainable pallet foils. The waste mountains must be reduced in a timely manner. The resource-intensive film production must be set up in a more environmentally friendly and resource-saving way in the future.
An enormous versatility of pallet foils is already shown by the fact that they are used in many areas of life nowadays. Such films are used for moving, in wholesale and retail trade, for shipping bulky items to a customer or in the field of logistics. They are used for presentation of goods as well as for their protection or marking. The layers of a pallet stretch film adhere to each other. Additional gluing is not necessary.
They can be antistatic, smooth or perforated, food safe or purchased as VCI stretch film. For smaller goods in transit, individual packages or package contents, the more manageable mini stretch film can be used. The most commonly used is transparent. However, sometimes black is also used. A hand stretch film usually has the dimensions 50 cm x 300 m. A hand dispenser can be ordered for this purpose.

What to consider when buying to save costs?

In the area of logistics, it is important not to save in the wrong place. When wrapping pallets, use films that are not too thin or too heavy. In addition, do not make so many wraps on a pallet load that the waste mountain grows as a result. Experienced logistics employees know exactly how many layers are required for different pallet loads.
Cost-conscious work is also done when good quality pallet films are purchased. In this case, one can rely on an excellent cost-benefit ratio and a low complaint rate. Cheap suppliers usually lack quality. Nowadays, the qualitative properties of pallet films also include the recyclability of stretch films.
Stretching heavy pallet loads should be done with film thicknesses that are 23 my, 28 or 30 my. Of these, less wrapping is required and pallet wrapping is still secure. Efficient film use saves costs. The type of film should be chosen to suit the intended use.

Securing pallets with stretch film: How does pallet wrapping with film work?

Before wrapping and securing the pallet contents, it should be ensured that the loading has been done properly. The carton size should be uniform. Smaller and lighter cartons belong on top. If they are properly loaded, they can then be easily stretched over. The film for pallets can be stretched and can thus be placed tightly around the cargo. A distinction must be made between homogeneous loads with cartons of the same size and heterogeneous loads.
Homogeneous loads result in a smooth-edged cuboid. This is easy to stretch around. Heterogeneous pallet loads consist of transport goods of different sizes or shapes. However, there are also Euro pallets which have a different shape than the standardized ones. This makes the stretch wrapping more difficult. But since this pallet stretch wrap is adaptable and stretchable, the load of different size and different shape packages can still be secured well.
You can choose between foot wrapping and head wrapping. In the case of foot wrapping, the film starts to be stretched at the bottom of the pallet. The pallet is wrapped with several layers towards the top. In this way, it is firmly connected to the load. The individual layers of foil must be tightly stretched. They partially overlap each other. The head wrapping is made at the top of the load. It secures the packages at the top. A few wraps are usually sufficient here.

To achieve optimum cargo securing, it is essential to stretch loaded pallets properly with pallet film. Insufficient, poorly executed or insufficiently tight wrapping of the load using an unsuitable film can have fatal consequences during loading. Manual wrapping of the pallet must be as accurate as mechanical wrapping.
Pallet film can be stretched during use, but pre-stretched pallet film cannot. It is much more conformable. Pallet foils already pre-stretched at the factory are used as they are. They are less flexible and conformable. Film stretching also saves money by reducing material consumption. At the same time, load security is improved. As a rule, no hand dispenser is used for unrolling and re-stretching, but the employee holds a roll of film for pallets in his hand.
Using vast amounts of film is not one bit safer when stabilizing cargo. Rather, high quality film and correctly executed wrapping technique are the essence of safe pallet wrapping. The pallet stretch film must be stretched only immediately before its use. Only then does it have sufficient restoring force. If it were stretched too much in advance, the restoring force would be lost.
Loading a truck would then be associated with higher risks. Pallet storage would also involve higher risks of accidents - especially when transporting to a high-bay warehouse. Inadequate securing measures would not be able to stabilize the pallet load sufficiently.
Proper manual stretch wrapping can be summarized in five steps.

In the first step of manual stretch wrapping, the pallet film is unwound one meter from the roll. The film end is then knotted at the pallet foot. At least half of the pallet foot should be wrapped.

Then, depending on the weight of the load, the pallet foot is wrapped at least five times and no more than 12 times. This establishes the so-called foot wrapping. In this way, all parts are securely joined together using the cross-wrapping technique.

Now the pallet film is continued upwards, overlapping with the previous stretch film web. The overlap of the webs should be about 50 to 60 percent.

To create the final head wrap, the pallet load is wrapped around the top about three times.

Then the film is spiraled down again. In front of the last film web, it is torn off and painted on by hand. This sucks in the end of the film. It acts as secure as a glue.

Our products to guarantee the optimal pallet protection

Our assortment is well sorted. We offer black pallet films, transparent pallet films, mini stretch films as well as sets of stretch films and matching hand dispensers to optimize packaging. Pallet stretch film in black color with film dimensions 50 x 300 cm can be found on the same subpage of our website as the transparent one.
Both film colors are available in film thicknesses of 17 my, 20 my and 23 my. A matching hand dispenser can be ordered. It is delivered together with a roll of pallet film and is a starter set. The 50 x 300 cm stretch film is slightly more expensive in black than in transparent. Every buyer can save by using our favorable multiple offers. The price for one meter of film is significantly reduced.
For packing smaller quantities, our offer of a set of 10 rolls of mini stretch film in combination with a hand dispenser is available. You can also order the 10 rolls of mini-stretch film together with 5 or 10 hand dispensers or without them at all.

This film is transparent. Its dimensions are 100 x 150 cm. Thus, it proves to be flexible for many uses in the household as well as in handicraft businesses or in the service sector.
Another of our offers concerns a set of a hand dispenser with stretch film in the format 50 cm x 300 m in the film thickness 23 my. This set is also a starter set with 300 meters of transparent stretchable pallet film. The film matching the hand dispenser can then be reordered in black or transparent in small or large quantities. If, in addition to the 23 my film thickness, less thick stretch films are also required, these can be used with the same hand dispenser.
In addition, we offer a pair of sliding sleeves as an unwinding aid for manually unwound stretch films. Our sliding sleeves ensure better unwinding. They prevent heat development and protect hands from injuries. The sliding sleeves are simply inserted into both ends of the stretch film roll. They then allow you to work quickly and efficiently without any additional aids or hand dispensers.
When things need to move faster, this simplified method of wrapping a pallet is very welcome. Wrapping a carton can be done very quickly, even without a hand dispenser.