Stretch Film Production: Subtleties of Quality and Efficiency

Stretch film, one of the indispensable products of the packaging industry today, is of great importance in terms of product protection, shipping safety and ease of storage. So, how is this widely used stretch film produced? What are the technical details to be considered in the production of a quality stretch film? In this article, we will discuss the stages of stretch film production and professional production processes.

Streç Film Üretimi

What is Stretch Film?

Stretch film is a flexible and transparent plastic material, usually based on polyethylene (PE). Thanks to its high elasticity, it wraps tightly around objects, protects them from external factors and keeps them together. It is mostly used in the logistics, food, textile, furniture and industrial sectors.

Raw Materials Used in Stretch Film Production

The basic raw material for stretch film production is Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) . This material determines the film's properties such as flexibility, impact resistance and elongation ability. Lubricants, ultraviolet (UV) stabilizers and antistatic additives can also be used in the production process.

Stretch Film Production Process

Stretch film production can be done with two basic technologies:

1. Blown Film Technology (Blowing Method)

In this method, after the plastic granules are melted, they are inflated upwards with an air current in the form of a balloon and cooled to form a film. Advantages:

• More durable structures

• Good performance at low temperatures

• High tensile and tear resistance

2. Cast Film Technology (Casting Method)

The plastic melt is passed through a flat die and cooled rapidly between cooling drums. Advantages:

• More transparent and bright appearance

• Thinner film production

• Fast production opportunity

Factors Affecting Production Quality

• Raw material quality: Low quality granules will cause the film to tear and reduce its adhesion strength.

• Number of layers: Multilayer stretch films have a stronger structure and special usage areas.

• Thickness and tension ratio: Should be determined according to the intended use of the product and the weight of the material to be carried.

Features of Quality Stretch Film

• High extensibility

• Excellent adhesion and wrapping properties

• Strong performance even at low microns

• Resistance to UV rays (especially if used outdoors)

• Homogeneous thickness and edge smoothness

Sustainability and Recycling

Modern manufacturers use recyclable materials and prefer methods that will reduce their carbon footprint in order to develop environmentally friendly stretch films. In addition, some companies can produce quality films with 30-50% recycled raw materials .

Choosing the Right Stretch Film for Efficient Packaging

Stretch film production is a delicate process that requires technical expertise and quality equipment. The technology, raw material selection and quality control processes used by the manufacturer directly affect the performance of the final product. For businesses that want to achieve maximum efficiency in their packaging and logistics processes, working with a reliable stretch film manufacturer is of great importance.