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Active stretch film is a film with added value over the traditional stretch film through the inclusion of specific functional additives such as UVI, antifog, antimicrobial, and others. They help improve product shelf life.
They come with the following types:
Antimicrobial stretch film
This type of active film contains antibacterial compounds in its polymer matrix. Antimicrobial stretch film remains unaffected by ambient temperature in the supply chain and does not require refrigeration, eliminating the need for a cold chain in storage and transport of foods.
UV-resistant stretch films
These are made with UV blockers that limit the penetration of UV radiation by up to 99%. This, in turn, helps retard food degradation and spoilage by limiting the photosensitive reactions that come in either fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat. It also prolongs the life cycle of packaged goods, reducing the need for frequent repackaging.
Italian active stretch film
These are manufactured with high-gloss, brilliant colors, thus giving an elegant and stylish finish to the protective features of packaging. In addition to that, they come with UV and antimicrobial protection, further enhancing their aesthetic value and improving shelf life.
Antifog packaging film
Fogging refers to moisture condensation on the film, forming opaque droplets that obscure the contents of the package. They consist of special additives that absorb the same moisture and reduce its surface tension, causing it to spread and evaporate. These films are especially useful when packaging items with high water content, such as meat and fruits.
Revolutionizing protection of goods in transit
The most common place where active stretch films are applied is in the food production industry. This is due to the hygiene, shelf life, and spoilage concerns involved. Goods like meats, fish, poultry, and fresh produce sensitive to microbial contamination are well protected by antimicrobial film. UV-resistant stretch film prolongs the freshness of perishable goods by blocking harmful UV rays. Antifog films ensure the contents are visible, eliminating obscurity. They are used in warehouses and distribution centers to hold stable pallet loads and protect the attached units from damage during transport and handling.
Packaging and branding
Active films, such as those with brilliant gloss and vibrant colors, as in the Italian active stretch film, offer great aesthetic value and branding opportunities. This is important since many compete on the shelves for consumer attention. In the retail sector, for example, fog-free film improves the consumer experience by enhancing product visibility. Active stretch films have also been useful in non-food industries for containing products as diverse as chemicals, electronics, and paper products where durable protection was required. It was found that added functionality also translated into cost savings through reduced spoilage and lower return on claims from damaged goods.
Green solutions for sustainable packaging
Active stretch films packaging innovations have seen them move towards environmental sustainability. For instance, some manufacturers are incorporating post-consumer recycled materials (PCR) into their film, thus reducing waste in landfills and requiring less virgin plastic. Moreover, advances in biopolymers are making it possible to create stretch films that are more biodegradable and not fossil-based. With active additives increasing film usefulness and functionality, these films encourage their reuse and recycling to reduce plastic pollution. This holistic approach also aligns with the sustainability goals of most businesses today and consumer expectations.
Key features
The addition of functional ingredients distinguishes them from conventional ones and creates added benefits. For instance, antimicrobial additives can inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold on the film and extend the shelf life of perishable foods. UV inhibitors protect products from harmful rays of the sun that cause fading, spoilage, or color changes. Antifog agents eliminate moisture condensing on the film surface that obscures product visibility.
The thickness of active stretch films normally varies between 50 and 150 gauge. That is 0.0126 to 0.0381 centimeters or 1.26 to 3.81 millimeters. This standard thickness range stretches to durability and flexibility in equal measures. These films can conform tightly to packaged goods, making them harder to tear during rough handling.
Manufacturing polymers used include linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). They provide high tensile strength and elongation, such that they can be stretched to many times their original size without breaking.
How to install
The film is stretched by a wrapping machine around pallets or individual products until the load is encapsulated with multiple film layers. The film tension is adjustable for tighter or looser wraps depending on the load stability required.
Maintenance and repair
Stretch film has to be recycled after use to reduce plastic waste. Other than that, no major maintenance requirements exist. It is worthy to note, however, that films which have been exposed to extreme weather, high levels of humidity, or physical damage should be discarded, as they will no longer offer the necessary protection to goods.
Transportation and storage
Store active stretch film in dry conditions away from direct sunlight and extreme heat. This helps prevent film degradation. Upon proper storage, the films have a virtually unlimited shelf life. During transportation, care must be taken to avoid puncturing or tearing the film, as this may affect its protective qualities.
The following guidelines must be considered to select the best active stretch film.
Functionality
The 'active' additives in the film determine the added advantages of these films. Consider antimicrobial, UV protection, and antifog features, for example, to help choose the film that best serves the product's specific needs. An antimicrobial stretch wrap is the best for perishable foods, while UV-resistant wraps hold outdoor furniture in the shade to protect them from sun damage.
Gauge and thickness
This goes to say that higher gauge films are thicker and, therefore, stronger, offering better protection against punctures and tears. In contrast, lower gauge films are lighter and easier to handle but still offer a fair mix of stretch and cling required in securely wrapping products. Evaluate the load's weight, shape, and fragility to help determine the proper thickness. A heavier load, for instance, needs thicker films to securely wrap around it.
Load stability
Consider whether the film achieves the required level of pallet load stability. Tighter tension control through the machine can achieve a more stable load when wrapping unstable or irregularly shaped loads.
Machine vs. hand stretch film
Active stretch films come engineered to be compatible with wrapping machines for automatic and semiautomatic wrapping solutions. There are also films designed for manual, hand-operated dispensers. The choice between machine and hand films depends largely on wrapping requirements: Active films are lighter and quicker to apply when loads are small and light, while machine films are for larger loads in industrial environments.
Environmental considerations
One of the key stretch film selection criteria has to do with sustainability. Some films contain recycled content or are themselves recyclable or biodegradable.
Often referred to as cling or cargo wrap, it's a highly flexible plastic film used to securely wrap items, whether for storage, ship, or moving. It helps protect them from dust, dirt, moisture, and even outer physical damage.
The functional additives in active stretch films distinguish them from ordinary ones and increase added benefits. For instance, antimicrobial additives can inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold on the film and extend the shelf life of perishable foods. UV inhibitors protect products from harmful rays of the sun that cause fading, spoilage, or color changes. Puncture resistance, gloss finish, and enhanced durability are just some advantages active stretch films bring over others.
Thanks to intermolecular forces, called molecular adhesion, stretch films tightly wrap around products and cling to themselves. It holds the load together and prevents individual items, cases, or boxes from moving or shifting during storage or shipping.
While most active stretch films are made from polyethylene and are not biodegradable, many manufacturers now incorporate sustainable solutions such as bio-based polymers and post-consumer recycled content into the films. These, however, are truly separate and unique from the ordinary cling wrap one is likely to come across.
Beyond ordinary stretch films, active films boast benefits that include extending the shelf life of packaged goods, improving product freshness through antimicrobial effects, increasing visual appeal with enhanced clarity and gloss, providing better security with tighter wraps, and reducing spoilage and waste.
