What is Stretch Wrap?

MMP Corporation
Jul 21
3 min read

Updated: Jul 29

What is stretch wrap used for? It's simple in concept. Stretch wrap is a thin sheet of stretchable plastic wrapped around a pallet to secure the products on the pallet during warehousing and shipping operations. However, this simple concept has marked a considerable upgrade in the speed and efficiency of shipping practices.

Pat and Bill Lancaster first created stretch wrap and introduced it to the public at the 1973 Packaging Machinery Manufacturers trade show. They discovered a quick way to secure pallet loads by surrounding them with a single layer of stretchable plastic that could be wrapped by hand or machine.

The plastic wrap appealed to warehouse managers and shippers, who immediately recognized its benefits in preventing product damage and enhancing the speed and efficiency of operations.

A worker hand wraps a pallet with stretch wrap

Reduces Product Damage

Reducing damage to products may be the main selling point of stretch wrap, particularly to warehouse owners and shippers responsible for damage to the products while they’re under their care. They recognize the savings on cargo insurance premiums that can be realized by using stretch wrap in their operations.

Prevents Damage from Dirt, Dust, and Moisture

The non-porous, linear, low-density polyethylene plastic (LLDPE) used in stretch wrap protects un-boxed palletized products from dirt, dust, and moisture damage. Water damage caused by the weather was a significant problem in shipping until the adoption of stretch wrap.

Helps Prevent Injuries to Employees

Pallets of products are typically moved around warehouses and loaded into trucks and rail cars using forklifts and pallet jacks. This movement often causes products on unwrapped pallets to fall and injure nearby workers. Wrapping pallets with stretch plastic provides the tension that keeps products in place and reduces worker injuries.

Improves Inventory Control

As the use of stretch wrap became more widespread, standardized pallet layer stacking configurations were developed that made counting the boxes on a pallet quick and easy.

As the use of RFID scanners expanded, wrapping the pallets in clear stretch wrap allowed the scanners to read the barcodes on boxes, simplifying inventory control.

Makes Shipping and Packaging More Cost-Effective

The simplicity of stretch wrap makes its use cost-effective and efficient. A roll of stretch wrap can be carried by the worker or loaded onto machines that handle the wrapping process. Stretch wraps are also available in various gauges, lengths and colors that suit any application.

Completely Recyclable

Stretch wrap is completely recyclable. Many companies have a recycling bin in their warehouse or shipping docks specifically designated for LLDPE plastic only. This prevents the material from being contaminated by other types of plastic and maintains the purity of recycling operations.

Tamper-resistant

Tightly wrapped pallets are much less likely to be tampered with, reducing product loss and pilferage. The wrapped pallets also plainly show tampering damage and can be investigated for loss. You can also order black stretch wrap from MMP Corporation that masks the contents of pallets for added protection.

What is Stretch Wrap Made Of?

As mentioned above, stretch wrap is made from linear low-density polyethylene plastic (LLDPE). MMP Corporation of Thailand uses the cast extrusion process of this material to create the many varieties of stretch wrap we offer.

This continuous process melts the LLDPE and extrudes it through a flat die onto a chilled roll, where it's quenched and allowed to re-solidify. The process enables the product to have increased clarity and requires less force to stretch. It also increases tear resistance and offers double-sided cling. The cast extrusion process is used for manufacturing both hand and machine stretch wrap. Stretch wrap using the cast extrusion process is also less expensive, making it a popular choice among users.

Proper Storage of Stretch Wrap

Proper storage of stretch wrap rolls is essential to maintaining their quality and usability. Store the rolls in a clean, cool, and dry indoor area. The rolls should also be stored vertically to prevent bending or warping. Keeping them in their original packaging will make it easy to determine the types of stretch wrap for multi-application users.

Explore Stretch Wrap Products from MMP Corporation

MMP Corporation is a leading stretch wrap supplier with a wide variety of stretch wrap products for both hand and machine wrapping. Our products can also be manufactured according to the customer’s OEM sizes. Choose the ones that benefit your operations. Please get in touch with us with any questions you have about our products.

References: