Industrial Shrink Film Applications: Six Typical Uses and How to Choose

Industrial shrink film applications at a glance

Shrink film is often confused with other films. Strictly speaking, shrink film is a heat-shrinkable film used mostly for packaging and for protection against water. The film many people call cling film is not a shrink film but a stretch film. Today, shrink film is part of everyday life, both in industry and among consumers. In this article, we present its many applications.

What is shrink film made of?

Shrink film can be made from polyethylene, polyolefin, polypropylene or PVC. Polyethylene film needs a higher temperature to shrink than PVC. Polyolefin shrink film is more flexible and seals better.

Although the raw materials differ, all shrink films have one thing in common: they undergo heat treatment, because these materials start to shrink at a specific temperature.

Typical industrial uses of shrink film

1. Shrink film for packaging

Its purpose is to seal products completely, usually by machine. Shrink film is used not only for finished goods but also for packaging vegetables and fruit – to name the best-known example, cucumbers, where besides the aesthetic purpose it also greatly extends the product’s shelf life.

2. Multipack packaging

It is used to bundle soft drink and mineral water PET bottles, milk cartons, beer cans and other products into multipacks.

3. Heat-shrink tubing

Special tubular shrink film is used to protect cables and wires: it is shrunk onto the wire to protect it.

4. Shrink sleeves

This type of shrink film is usually applied to bottle necks, in various colours and with printed text.

5. Cap seal film

Medicines and vitamins often use cap seal film; its presence proves that the product has not yet been opened.

6. Industrial shrink film

This film is called industrial mainly because it is used to wrap larger objects – not to protect household items, but, for example, to winterise statues and boats or to secure products on pallets. For the latter, the shrink hood is an excellent choice.

What is shrink film often confused with?

Some films resemble shrink film in one property or another, which is why they are often mixed up with it:

Stretch film – this also fits tightly around products, but it is applied by wrapping, e.g. around pallets, rather than by shrinking.

Properties of shrink film

At Parainesis, you can choose from a wide range of shrink films:

Can be made from both virgin and recycled plastic

Can be transparent or through-coloured

Water- and chemical-resistant

Tasteless and odourless

Antistatic

Available on rolls or as sheets

Not harmful to health

Withstands low temperatures

How to choose shrink film

First, look at the size of the product to be packed (weight and dimensions), as this affects the choice of raw material. Polyethylene is recommended for heavier products.

It may also matter how many products need to be packed per hour, as the sheet version is not suitable for large volumes.

Shipping can also influence the choice of film, because the mode of transport determines what the product will be exposed to on the way and how long it will be in transit.