Pallet wrap (which is also known as stretch film and stretch wrap) is a polythene stretchable film which is used to wrap around items. Although used predominantly to wrap items that are on a pallet, it can also be used for wrapping and collating smaller items. Pallet wrap is manufactured from linear low-density polyethylene (LLPDE). Hexene and/or Octeneare are also added during the manufacturing process which gives the film its highly stretchable properties.

Traditionally, pallet wrap is used to hand wrap an item, but there is also pallet wrap available for use with pallet wrapping machines. Pallet wrap can also be manufactured in blown or cast varieties.  Blown is manufactured to the highest specification which means it is a more costly item; the manufacturing process is also time consuming. The cast is manufactured to a quicker manufacturing time, but the quality is not as good as blown

Pallet wrap has several uses which are beneficial to the purchaser. Firstly, it greatly improves the stability of a load on a pallet; this applies when the boxes are a uniform size and also when mixed sizes and weights are used. This in itself leads to improved handling and storage of pallets, both in vehicles and in warehouses. The polyethylene material will also help to reduce the amount of dust and moisture affecting the products that are being wrapped. Finally, the tightly wrapped pallet will also prevent pilfering from occurring, as you would have to rip the polythene to be able to remove any of the items on the pallet. Ripped pallet wrap would suggest that a pallet has been potentially tampered with and security checks could begin to ascertain whether theft has occurred.

The most commonly used plastic wrap is hand pallet wrap. This product is selected when the user wishes to wrap the pallet by hand. The strength of the pallet wrap is measured in microns, ranging from 8 micron up to 34 micron. By far the most popular micron strengths purchased are 17 micron and 20 micron. Both are excellent for most specifications, but if your loads are heavy, it is recommended that you use at least 20 micron film. When applying hand pallet wrap it is greatly beneficial to use a pallet wrap dispenser. There are several types of pallet wrap dispensers available ranging from budget plastic up to high quality metal.

There is also a variation of hand pallet wrap which is supplied with an extended core. This enables the user to grip the ends of the core by hand and therefore it does not require a pallet wrap dispenser.

If you do not wish for your products to be seen once they have been pallet wrapped, we recommend that you purchase black security pallet wrap. The black colour not only stops the items being seen but it also provides UV light protection. Black pallet wrap is available in both 17 micron and 25 micron films. If you are sending heavy electrical items, it is recommended you use the 25 micron pallet wrap.