Industry News

Stretch film is a highly stretchable plastic film that is wrapped around items. The elastic recovery keeps the items tightly bound. In contrast, shrink wrap is applied loosely around an item and shrinks tightly with heat. While it is similar to plastic food wrap, it is not usually made of material rated as safe for food contact.

It is frequently used to secure pallet loads to one another but also may be used for bundling smaller items. Types of stretch film include bundling stretch film, hand stretch film, extended core stretch film, machine stretch film and static dissipative film.

Most standard stretch film will degrade within several months of UV exposure. The degradation of stretch film is visible featuring, chalking, yellowing, discoloration, and ultimately decomposition. Unless your stretch film has a UV inhibitor additive, it will degrade in less than a year with continuous sun exposure.