Posted 26 Sun

The Birth of Stretch Films: Revolutionising Load Stabilisation

The Birth of Stretch Films: Revolutionising Load Stabilisation

 

As global trade expanded in the 1960s, industries such as FMCG faced the challenge of transporting products efficiently across continents.

A crucial need emerged: securing palletised goods for safe and effective transportation.

Before stretch film, businesses relied on inefficient methods: loading individual boxes onto trucks, securing loads with metal strapping, or using shrink bags.

All these methods were costly, labour-intensive, and time-consuming.

In 1972, a breakthrough occurred—stretch film was introduced as a revolutionary packaging solution.

This innovation quickly became an industry staple across manufacturing, e-commerce, agriculture, food and beverage, and other sectors.

Stretch film offers numerous benefits:

  • Cost-effective for load unitisation

  • Reduces shipping damage

  • Shields products from dust and moisture

  • Improves handling efficiency

  • Adapts to various load shapes and surfaces

  • UVI films protect against UV exposure

  • Opaque films enhance security by concealing valuable products

The Evolution of Stretch Films

Stretch film has dramatically transformed the packaging industry, continuously evolving to meet market demands.

The Early Days of Stretch Film

Initially, businesses struggled with inefficient load stabilisation techniques:

  • Manual loading: Prone to damage and errors

  • Metal strapping: Laborious and could damage goods

  • Shrink bags: Required heat application, increasing cost and complexity

The introduction of stretch film in the early 1970s marked a turning point in packaging efficiency.

Manual Stretch Film

Early stretch films were applied manually, requiring significant effort to wrap and secure loads.

  • Labour-intensive: Workers had to apply film manually, leading to fatigue

  • Time-consuming: Slowed down operations and increased costs

  • Limited protection: Early films lacked the strength for optimal load unitisation

Early Benefits

Despite its limitations, stretch film quickly became a preferred alternative:

  • Improved load stability

  • Cost-effective compared to traditional methods

  • Versatile for various industries

Evolution and Innovation

As demand grew, stretch film technology advanced:

  • Machine stretch film: Automated applications boosted efficiency - Machine stretch film was designed to overcome labor and time challenges. It is used with automated stretch-wrapping machines, which, with advancements in the U.S. at the time, significantly enhanced the speed and efficiency of the wrapping process.

  • Material advancements: LLDPE improved elasticity and durability - Advancements in plastic materials, especially the development of LLDPE (Linear Low-Density Polyethylene), offered greater elasticity and durability than traditional LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene). This improvement resulted from technological progress and innovations in resin development by chemical companies.

  • Enhanced protection: Newer films offered superior load stabilisation - Modern films feature enhanced properties, providing superior protection and load unitization to keep products stable and secure.

The Impact

The introduction of stretch film revolutionized the packaging industry, improving efficiency while enhancing the safety and security of goods during transit.  

As a result, it quickly became an industry standard across sectors such as manufacturing, e-commerce, agriculture, and food and beverage.  

Today, the impact of early stretch film innovations continues to shape modern packaging solutions. The challenges of the 1960s and 1970s led to the development of advanced materials, automation, and eco-friendly alternatives that define today’s packaging landscape.

Simplifying Stretch Film

Stretch films vary based on three key factors, with advancements making them more efficient and sustainable.

1. Material

Stretch film is typically made from polyethylene resin with various additives for enhanced performance.

Traditionally, LDPE and LLDPE were used:

  • LDPE: Strong but lacks elasticity

  • LLDPE: More flexible and durable, now the industry standard

Most stretch films are derived from non-renewable crude oil and are rarely recycled, contributing to environmental concerns.

MPS Packaging Australia is committed to sustainability, offering eco-friendly stretch films that maintain high performance while reducing environmental impact.

2. Gauge Rating

Gauge rating determines film thickness, influencing durability and cost.

  • Films range from 10µm to 40µm

  • Lower gauge suits lighter loads, while heavier loads require higher gauge films

  • Higher gauge films are more expensive due to increased material use

MPS Packaging Australia promotes downgauging without compromising strength. Our high-performance films reduce material usage while maintaining load integrity, cutting costs and minimising environmental impact.

3. Number of Layers

Increased layering enhances film attributes, balancing strength and cost-efficiency.

Traditionally, heavier gauge films were used for stability, but multilayer films now provide superior puncture and tear resistance at a lower cost.

MPS Packaging Australia offers multilayer stretch films that deliver excellent load security with reduced material usage, optimising efficiency for businesses.

Engineering Excellence: Advancing Stretch Film Innovation

Modern manufacturing technology ensures consistent, high-quality stretch films. A key breakthrough is nanotechnology stretch films, which use multiple nano-scale polymer layers to create stronger and more flexible films.

Advantages of nano stretch films:

  • Stronger and more flexible than standard multilayer films

  • Requires less film for load security, reducing plastic waste

  • Improved cling and stretch properties for easier application

MPS Packaging Australia leads the market with innovative stretch films, offering advanced solutions tailored to diverse industry needs.

The Journey of Innovation: From Early Stretch Films to Nanotechnology

The evolution of stretch film has been driven by a commitment to continuous improvement and sustainability.

  • Manual films introduced basic protection but were labour-intensive

  • Machine stretch films revolutionised efficiency

  • High-performance specialty films improved durability and cost-effectiveness

  • Nanotechnology films enhanced strength while reducing material waste

MPS Packaging Australia stays at the forefront of innovation, offering a wide range of stretch film solutions that balance performance, sustainability, and cost-efficiency.