How to Choose the Right Stretch Film

Packaging plays a crucial role in the global supply chain, protecting goods from the point of manufacture to the end consumer. Despite advances in materials and methods, several challenges continue to impact the efficiency and reliability of packaging solutions.

One of the most common issues is damage during transport, which can occur due to external impacts, vibration, or environmental factors like moisture and temperature changes. This damage affects the product integrity and leads to significant losses through product returns and replacements.

This article will explore how integrating stretch film and desiccants can address these challenges and enhance packaging solutions across various industries. Stretch film provides excellent protection and stability for palletized goods, while desiccants control the humidity, which can compromise product integrity. This combination improves product safety, reduces waste, and aligns with growing environmental sustainability goals.

Understanding the Materials

Stretch Film

Stretch film, primarily made from linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), is essential for securing products during transport and storage. Its primary properties include high elasticity, significant tear resistance, and clarity.

Stretch film adheres to itself once wrapped around items, providing a tight and secure hold without the need for adhesive tapes or straps. Stretch films are extensively used in various industries to stabilize and protect products on pallets against dust, moisture, and other environmental factors during shipping and storage. There are several types of stretch film based on application methods and specific needs:

1. Hand Stretch Film: Designed for manual application, this film is available in smaller rolls that are easy to handle, making it suitable for low-volume packaging operations.
2. Machine Stretch Film: Used with automated machines for high-volume packaging, this type offers greater load stability and efficiency in application.
3. Pre-stretched Film: Already stretched close to its ultimate break point, this film requires less energy to apply and reduces material usage, enhancing sustainability.

Desiccants

Desiccants absorb moisture from the surrounding environment, thereby reducing humidity and preventing moisture-related damage. They are crucial in packaging to protect moisture-sensitive products, extend shelf life, and maintain product quality.

Desiccants are selected based on the specific moisture sensitivity of the products, the expected conditions during shipping and storage, and regulatory requirements related to food and pharmaceutical products.

They are typically packaged in porous materials like sachets, allowing them to absorb moisture while remaining contained and preventing direct contact with the packaged product. Common types of desiccants used in packaging include:

1. Silica Gel: Made from silicon dioxide, silica gel is popular due to its high moisture absorption capacity and is often found in sachet form.
2. Clay: A natural, inexpensive desiccant that works effectively within normal temperature ranges and is typically used in sachet form.
3. Calcium Oxide: Highly effective for removing large amounts of moisture. It is used in applications requiring very low humidity levels.

Benefits of Integrating Stretch Film and Desiccants

Enhanced Protection: Integrating stretch film and desiccants in packaging systems significantly enhances product protection against physical and moisture damage.

Stretch film provides a secure wrap that stabilizes products on pallets, reducing movement and the risk of impact damage during transport. Additionally, it acts as a barrier against dust, dirt, and minor water splashes. Desiccants complement this protection by actively controlling the internal humidity levels within the packaging environment.

They absorb moisture that could otherwise condense and harm the products, particularly in temperature fluctuations. This dual approach is particularly beneficial for sensitive items such as electronic components, pharmaceuticals, and foods, ensuring they arrive at their destination in optimal condition.

Cost Efficiency: Combining stretch film and desiccants can lead to cost savings for businesses. This combination reduces the product damage and spoilage rate during shipping and storage, decreasing the frequency of returns and the need for replacements.

Fewer damaged goods not only translate to lower operational costs but also enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty. Moreover, the efficient use of resources like stretch film and desiccants minimizes waste, leading to further financial savings in terms of material costs and waste management.

Sustainability Aspects: The environmental impact of packaging materials is a growing concern, and integrating eco-friendly stretch films and natural desiccants offers a path towards more sustainable packaging solutions. Biodegradable stretch films made from plant-based materials, such as PLA (polylactic acid), and recyclable stretch films reduce the use of fossil fuel-based plastics and the carbon footprint of packaging.

Similarly, using natural desiccants like starch-based gels or clay provides effective moisture control without the environmental burden associated with synthetic chemical desiccants. These sustainable materials can be broken down or recycled more efficiently than their conventional counterparts, reducing landfill waste and promoting a circular economy in the packaging industry.

Packaging Design Considerations

Choosing suitable stretch film and desiccants is critical to achieving optimal packaging performance. Factors such as load type, weight, and shipping conditions should be considered when selecting a stretch film.

A more robust, high-performance stretch film is suitable for heavier and irregularly shaped loads, whereas lighter, more uniform loads might only require a standard or pre-stretched film.

The choice of desiccant largely depends on the product’s moisture sensitivity, the expected exposure to humidity, and the duration of shipment and storage. Silica gel is versatile for many products, while more aggressive moisture control might require calcium oxide.

Environmental conditions such as temperature fluctuations, humidity levels, and the likelihood of water exposure should also influence material choices. For example, integrating a higher absorption desiccant and a more durable stretch film in tropical climates can prevent condensation and protect against heat.

Packaging Techniques

Incorporating desiccants with stretch film in packaging designs requires innovative approaches to ensure effectiveness and efficiency. One technique is placing desiccant packets directly inside shrink-wrapped or stretch-wrapped packages to absorb moisture from the air trapped during the wrapping process.

Another method involves using desiccant films, composite materials that incorporate desiccant substances within the stretch film. This integrated solution saves space and simplifies the packaging process by combining moisture protection and physical stability in one step.

Additionally, for products susceptible to moisture, using desiccant mats or pads that sit beneath or around the product before being stretch-wrapped can provide an extra layer of moisture absorption, which is particularly useful in food packaging and pharmaceuticals.

Customization and Scalability

Customization and scalability are essential for practically implementing stretch film and desiccant integration across different scales of operation and product types. Small-scale operations might benefit from manual stretch film application and simple desiccant packet insertion, which provides flexibility without the need for substantial equipment investment.

For larger operations, automated packaging systems that apply stretch film and dispense desiccants simultaneously can significantly increase efficiency and consistency in packaging. The design of the packaging system should also consider the product’s shape, size, and packaging requirements.

Custom-sized films and specifically formulated desiccants can be developed to accommodate unique product dimensions or unusually high moisture sensitivity. By tailoring the integration of these materials to the specific needs of the product and scale of operations, companies can optimize their packaging process to maximize protection, minimize cost, and adhere to environmental standards.

Conclusion

The integration of stretch film and desiccants into packaging systems offers a robust solution for enhancing product protection, improving cost efficiency, and adhering to environmental sustainability goals. By leveraging the strength and versatility of stretch film alongside the moisture-absorbing capabilities of desiccants, companies can ensure that their products remain secure, dry, and intact from warehouse to delivery.

Stream Peak International, a global supplier of desiccants, operates desiccant bag factories that hold ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, confirming our adherence to stringent quality and environmental management standards. Our in-house QA lab plays a crucial role in maintaining consistent product quality. This setup not only supports comprehensive internal quality assurance protocols but also allows for innovation and adaptation to meet the changing demands of various industries.