When the world was first introduced to stretch film during the 1970s, it was an extremely cost-effective shipping solution, especially when compared to corrugated and strapping. With time, the packaging Vancouver film business has witnessed numerous technological improvements that have decreased both expenses and the total amount of plastic material that goes into the waste stream. Being wary of these changes would assist with making sure firms keep the costs per load effectively low.
Thin Films
Latest improvements in processes and materials have facilitated the introduction of high-performance and thinner stretch wrap films that feel and function like thicker traditional rolls. Stretch wrap machinery improvements have helped buyers benefit from these films. When applied properly, these high-performance wraps decrease the total cost-per-load by minimizing the amount of film required for a pallet. Pre-stretch, 250 percent levels, are becoming the norm; 63g material is pushing aside 80g material – with zero loss of abrasion resistance or containment. Based on the application, thinner films are being routinely used too.
Correct Film Application
Goods damaged during transit would nullify any profits made by spending little on product packaging. To control expenditure, buying decisions are usually price-per-roll-based instead of the total cost, resulting in a load that’s properly secured and enhancements in the entire wrapping process. Does your firm have enforced and hard-coded stretch wrapping norms? Is your stretch wrapper’s setting controlled by you? Is there a defined procedure to evaluate load containment? Is the loads’ appearance monitored routinely? Do you know the reasons why you are employing the stretch wrapping procedure? If you answered these questions in the negative, you are probably doing things wrong.
Sustainability and High Performance
There are three universally accepted sustainability laws: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Since reusing a stretch film is not possible once its cut off the pallets, material reduction continues to be the ideal “green” choice. Machine film weighing close to 800 million pounds is produced every year. An average of 0.5 pounds per pallet will equate to almost 1.6 billion wrapped pallets. If you consider the average 2 pounds pallet weight during the 1980s, the modern machine film industry will equate 3.2 billion pounds all by itself. Similar gauge deductions have occurred in hand wrap. The regular 100 gauge wrap from the 1980s has stepped aside for 47 gauge, thereby bringing down the amount of waste material heading to the waste stream by 50 percent. Besides these events, film recycling is increasingly becoming widespread. The recycled stretch film material’s high stabilization has permitted several extrusions with zero property loss. As per the 2007 ACC paper, stretch film’s recycling rate is more than 50 percent.
Summary
With the multitude of industry changes and several product options available, one can understand why people are having a difficult time choosing the right film for their needs. This is why associating with a supplier firm that can provide you with proper and correct analysis of your entire wrapping method has become a lot more important than before. Moreover, besides film type, devoting time and effort toward variables, which include shipping and storage conditions, machine-type, load-type and condition, pre-stretch levels, tension settings and total revolutions, would make sure all loads are secured properly using the least amount of plastic – and that your firm consistently maintains minimal costs for every effectively shipped load.