Advantages and applications of shrink film

Advantages and applications of shrink film

What is shrink film and what are its characteristics? What applications is it used for? What types are there?

Heat-shrinkable film for packaging is widely used, particularly in the food industry, but not exclusively. It is very practical due to its properties – mainly its high flexibility. It perfectly protects products from moisture, dirt and other harmful factors.

What is shrink film?

It is a film that easily adapts to the shape and size of packaged items, thanks to its high elasticity. It protects the load from moisture and dirt and from slipping off the pallet. It is traditionally sold in rolls. It is used for food packaging (particularly in the catering and confectionery sectors) because it is non-toxic. It is best suited for packaging meat, cold cuts and cheese. The film is environmentally friendly and can be recycled. It is quite durable.

A low temperature, i.e. 80-120 degrees, is used to seal the shrink film. It reduces its volume when exposed to low temperature, thus protecting the products even better. It prevents premature spoilage of food – it protects from air.

What are the characteristics of shrink film?

Shrink film is flexible – it adapts to the shape of all protected products, while making it easier to identify the contents. It has protective properties – it protects against moisture, dust, dirt and harmful atmospheric agents. It is made of polyethylene with a thickness of 120 microns.

To ensure better stability of the load, the bottom part of the film should be folded up under the four corners of the pallet. To do this, it can be lifted on a support. Shrinking should be started from the bottom of the pallet, maintaining a fixed distance of 300 mm and shrinking each side of the load in turn from bottom to top and finally the top of the pallet. The minimum height of the hood should be: height of load + ½ width + 140 mm.

Shrink film gun

Theshrink film gun is useful when packing bulky goods. It is equipped with power regulation and is safe – the gas supply is cut off in the event of hose damage. It is a piece of equipment that makes work considerably easier and more efficient. As it is lightweight, it is comfortable to work with.

Types of shrink film

Shrink film is available in the following forms: tapes, half-sleeves and sleeves. The width varies from 10 to 100 cm, the circumference from 20 to 200 cm and the thickness from 30-100 microns. They are usually sold in rolls.

Shrink sleeves are used to make shrink bags and sacks. Half-sleeves are used to make shrink bags and as packaging for loose products.

Shrink sleeves

Shrinksleeves are protective film hoods ideally suited for securing heavy pallet loads. They stabilise the load during storage and transport. They are transparent, so the contents are visible. They have waterproof properties, so they can be used to protect the load from moisture and dirt. They do not require tedious wrapping as in the case of roll film.

Application of heat-shrinkable film

Shrink film is used primarily in the food industry, but not exclusively. It is commonly used for packaging food in bottles, cartons and jars. In the form of shrink hoods, it is used on pallet packaging lines with ceramics, glass and building materials (cement, hollow blocks, bricks, etc.). In this case, the use of shrink hoods is recommended. Pallets with building materials protected in this way can be stored outdoors. The shrink film prevents the materials from moving and falling apart.

It is used for the bulk packaging of irregularly shaped goods (e.g. furniture, cans). It can be used for packing bulky items (machinery, vehicles). It is used in aviation (securing gliders), armaments (securing military vehicles), sailing (securing boats, yachts and sailboats), for securing caravans and shipping various items. It is also used for securing individual goods to pallets.

You can read more about the accessories necessary for every warehouse in the article
Warehouse equipment, and about accessories and equipment for convenient and efficient palletisation here: Essential palletising equipment.