In the coming years, the Flexible Packaging Assn reports that the flexible packaging segment is only to continue to grow - to the tune of about 3.8% measuring up to approximately $28.2 billion!  With that number indicative of the amount of product being shipped, how are you ensuring that your packaging costs are not also increasing?

Manufacturers stretch wrap products in order to transport their merchandise from Point A to Point B in "as made" condition, at the lowest, most effective cost. Evaluation of the current stretch film usage can make all the difference in implementing the most cost effective practices.

Why is stretch film evaluation so important?

  • Damage reduction
  • Reduction of the Wrapping cycle time
  • Commodity reduction
  • Improved sustainability
  • Improved productivity and efficiency

What does a properly contained pallet look like? Are you using stretch film effectively?

Criteria for Stretch Film Evaluations:

Some of the most commonly used verbiage utilized when talking about stretch film is listed below. You may hear these words when assessing how much "bang for your buck" you're receiving with your current stretch wrapping method.

1. Pre-Stretch = Yield

**Pre-Stretch is the amount of stretch achieved in the equipment's pre-stretch rollers.

2. Force-to-Load = Containment

**The force to load measures the holding force of the film to the load to maintain its integrity.  Containment force must be consistent from top to bottom creating a single package or unit.  Any inconsistencies will cause the load to shift.

3. Cut and Weight = Cost Per Load

**This is exactly what it sounds like. This involves cutting the film off and weighing it normally via a digital scale. It is the only way to gauge what you are paying per load.


Determine Wrapping Standards and Savings:

Very few customers have established standards on how to wrap their products and even if there is a standard set, very few customers are wrapping to that standard. Although customers are promised film savings, most are not getting the savings that they should.


Lowest Cost Effectively Shipped:

1. Thicker Film                                         1. Lower Film Costs

2. Higher Force to Load             =        2. Improved Productivity

3. Fewer Revolutions                              3. Lower Labor Costs


Methods to Achieve "Lowest Total Cost":

Reduce Wraps - The objective of modifying the wrap pattern  is to reduce the number of film revolutions without decreasing load containment. This technique offers the added benefit of decreasing the wrapping cycle time.

Down Gauge - A very high performance film is required to successfully implement this cost reduction technique. Film must provide the best levels of stretch, puncture resistance, cling and holding force in order for down-gauging to be possible. With the right film, down-gauging can greatly minimize film usage.

Up Gauge - The objective of up-gauging is to improve film utilization by increasing the pre-stretch percentage on the stretch wrapper. Up-gauging prevents the film from tearing at the new pre-stretch settings.

Pre-Stretched Film - Pre-stretched films are stretched close to their ultimate breaking point prior to being wound onto rolls. This means that the film does not require as much stretching energy as the standard stretch film to accomplish the same wrapping force. Pre-stretched film consumption can be one half of that of traditional stretch films, allowing for vast cost savings.