Shrink wrap vs stretch film – what’s the story?

Alexa, what’s the difference between shrink wrap and stretch film? If you've ever asked your smart speaker this question, you're not alone! While the two terms sound familiar and often confusing, the difference between the materials is significant. In this blog, we outline the key properties of shrink wrap and stretch film, how they're used in packaging and their suitability for different applications.

What Is shrink wrap?

Although you've probably heard the phrase before, what does 'shrink wrapped' actually mean? Simply put, shrink wrap or shrink film is a polymer plastic that shrinks around a product when heat is applied in a shrink wrapping machine. This enables the film to fit tightly around a product to package and protect it securely.

What type of plastic is shrink wrap?

Shrink wrap is mostly made from 100% LDPE or LDPE with co-polymers, the film required will depend on the process and finish required. For direct food contact and display items most companies tend to favour polyolefin (a strong, food-safe, versatile material) that helps to extend shelf life of products and offers excellent visual performance. Polyethylene (LDPE) will on the other hand be mostly used for transportation or collation packs with its excellent strength and durability qualities.

At YPS, we're partnered with the global leader in flexible film technology, Bolloré, to bring BRC-certified, fully recyclable polyolefin shrink wrap to the UK market. Our shrink wrap can contain 30% recycled content and is fully food contact approved. Moreover we are part of the OPRL-recycling logo scheme and our films are approved “recycle at store”, in line with local authority recycling services. We also supply bio-based films, which many eco-conscious buyers prefer.

What does shrink wrap do for products?

Now that you know what it is, what’s shrink wrap’s purpose? It’s versatile, durable, and low cost - providing strength without compromising aesthetics. This flexible packaging material has several other benefits, including holding several items firmly together for shipping, protecting products against weathering or dirt, and simply providing an attractive, glossy, or bespoke printed appearance for consumer products.

When used on food, there are also excellent benefits on shelf life, which helps to reduce food waste while ensuring a significant reduction in plastics thanks to thin film technology. All of course with the option of 30% recycled content and fully recyclable OPRL approved.

What is shrink wrap used for?

Shrink wrap is an ideal material for almost any product and packaging application. Our food-contact certified films are uniquely designed to enhance and protect food products, including OXBTEC, a recyclable barrier film that’s the thinnest on the market and particularly useful for wrapping poultry.

Whether you’re giving meat products a ‘second skin’, giving the fruit a polished ‘anti fog’ appearance, or capping pizzas, all of our food-dedicated Bolfresh® shrinkable films are fully BRC accredited, from manufacturing right through to storage and distribution. Our market-leading Lidtec®  lidding film is also excellent for fish and other Modified Atmosphere Packaging applications.

It's important to understand that not all shapes and sizes are easily shrink wrapped. For those unique situations, there’s cross-linked shrink film. Compared to standard polyolefin films, these films are created with extra strength and durability to wrap products that easily distort and to prevent punctures.

For high-shine, high-clarity, wrinkle-free finishes, our versatile presentation shrink films are guaranteed to turn heads. We used our thinnest 9-micron BTT +90 polyolefin shrink film to wrap the world’s widest-ever cereal multipack by Nestlé (18 boxes totalling 3.5 metres), using a Hugo Beck Flexo X side sealer to get the job done at maximum efficiency.

 What is stretch film?

Stretch film, or pallet wrap, is typically used to secure products stacked together on a pallet to ensure safe transportation and storage. Applied very differently to shrink film, stretch film is stretched to its maximum capacity around a load by hand or with a stretch wrapping machine, clinging to its adhesive surface as it’s wound around.

What does stretch film do for products?

Stretch film provides stable shipping and easier handling of products by creating tension to maintain the shape and format of bundled structures. By utilising high-tensile substrates like our DVS ‘Extreme-Stretch Stretch Film, businesses can also apply this wrapping technique to super-wide pallets. All our stretch wrap film products are fully recyclable to LDPE level 4, and several can also be supplied with a minimum of 30% recycled content if preferred.

What is stretch film used for?

Our 30% PCW Multi-purpose Stretch Film has complete food-safe traceability and BRC accreditation to boot for food products. Our RS Multi-purpose Stretch Film also has complete food-safe traceability and BRC accreditation for food product-saleable in a range of widths, microns, and stretch ratios to suit any application or warehouse operation.

If the product requires airflow during transit, our Atmosphera Breathable Stretch Film prevents the build-up of mildew, condensation, rust, and bacteria. Thinner, lighter, and made from recycled content, our Pre-stretched Stretch Film is also suitable for chilled applications and especially desirable for organisations looking to comply with reduce-and-recycle goals.

With more than four decades of experience in shrink film supply and fully recyclable stretch wrap, YPS is synonymous with quality, expertise, and excellence. We offer a complete end-to-end service with next-day film delivery and a convenient call-off facility. Get in touch for more information on our wrapping solutions, or book a trial at our showroom to see our machinery and materials in action.