Shrink Wrap Film: PVC vs Polyolefin vs Polyethylene – What’s the Difference?

What are the key differences between the main types of shrink wrap film, and which one is the best choice for your packaging needs? This article answers both questions.

What is shrink wrap film?

Shrink wrap film is a clear plastic film used worldwide to package millions of products. It gets its name from the way it behaves: when heat is applied, it softens and shrinks tightly around the product it covers.

All three film types can be extruded with various additives into multilayer films that provide special properties for shelf life or appearance. Shrink film can be converted into flat rolls, bags, wraps, bands and tubes, and it gives packaged goods damage-free protection. If you are not sure you are using the ideal film, compare the characteristics of the three types below:

1. PVC shrink film

Once the most widely used shrink packaging material in the world, PVC is light, inexpensive and versatile. Today, however, it has fallen behind PE and POF for several reasons – mainly the health hazards associated with its production and incineration, and sustainability concerns.

In its rigid form, PVC is durable and used in many fields, including construction projects and household products. In packaging, PVC is used both in rigid form (bubble film, clamshell packs) and in flexible form (shrink film, bags). Polyvinyl chloride is a combination of three elements: carbon, hydrogen and chlorine.

It should be used in well-ventilated areas because of the strong, harmful odours released when it is heated. Because of its chemical composition and the harmful by-products created during its production and decomposition, PVC has been banned in a number of countries.

Brands committed to corporate and social responsibility have followed these countries and banned PVC from their packaging. This is an important consideration if you are planning to use PVC-based packaging or already do. The Walmart Sustainability Playbook, for example, explicitly sets the goal of reducing PVC in packaging for the manufacturers of products sold in its stores.

Key characteristics of PVC shrink film:

Once the most widely used shrink wrapping material in the world.

Reacts strongly to changes in temperature – it becomes brittle when too cold and wrinkles when too hot.

Offers greater resistance to tear propagation, whereas polyolefin offers greater puncture resistance.

If you use PVC film, it is important to apply the highest possible usage and safety standards throughout your supply chain.

Typical uses of PVC shrink film: CDs/DVDs, game and software boxes, and other non-food products.

Not suitable for bundling multiple items, as it becomes more brittle after shrinking.

Leaves carbon deposits on the sealing equipment; proper, regular maintenance is needed for continuous operation.

Emits harmful odours during sealing and heating, so care and adequate ventilation are required.

Offers favourable orientation (shrinks in one direction only) and low shrink force.

Recyclable (under certain conditions).

2. POF shrink film

Polyolefin shrink film is an extremely durable and versatile “premium” shrink film. It has replaced PVC in many applications and is also FDA-approved as a food-safe material. Polyolefin films are available with different properties, such as high tensile strength, or as cross-linked film with outstanding clarity for high-speed packaging processes – which also prevents build-up on the sealing elements of packaging machines.

Thanks to its higher strength, longer rolls can be produced in thinner gauges, which means fewer roll changes and therefore greater efficiency and productivity. Polyolefin shrink film offers excellent puncture resistance and seal strength, so it protects even irregularly shaped products throughout the entire supply chain. POF is available in gauges as thin as 35 gauge (0.35 mil) and is most commonly used in 45, 60, 75 and 100 gauge (1 mil).

The versatility of POF and its relatively low cost across different machines and packaging formats make it ideal for any company producing protective packaging. In some cases POF needs to be perforated for packaging: small holes are added to the film before application so that air can escape during shrinking, resulting in a smooth pack. That is why many suppliers offer pre-perforated shrink film.

Key characteristics of POF shrink film

A premium-quality shrink film, which is why it is known as high-clarity, decorative shrink film.

Made from 100% recyclable materials.

Excellent clarity and a glossy finish make it ideal for consumer goods where appearance matters (children’s toys and other toys, confectionery, books, food and most retail products).

Shrinks quickly and completely when heated, so products leave the shrink tunnel finished and ready.

Durable, versatile and low-cost.

Ideal for bundling multiple products, such as boxes of tissues.

Cross-linked POF is ideal for high-speed applications, as it provides greater strength without compromising clarity, while preventing build-up on the sealing components.

Polyolefin is more expensive but more durable – it is not affected by temperature fluctuations.

Approved by the FDA for food contact.

Excellent tensile strength and elongation.

Pre-perforated POF is available, allowing even shrinkage without air bubbles.

3. PE shrink film

Polyethylene is a type of polyolefin, meaning a film made from a single monomer, created by adding ethylene during polymerisation. PE is used in many kinds of flexible protective packaging, including shrink film and stretch film, each of which makes use of different properties of the material.

PE comes in several forms, the three most common being low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Each is suitable for different industrial applications, but LDPE is the type most commonly used for shrink wrapping.

Compared with other forms of shrink packaging, LDPE offers greater strength and durability, which is particularly important for heavier, larger items such as multipacks of beverages. These packs can also be printed with high-quality graphics while retaining both print quality and the necessary strength.

While POF and PVC are usually limited to a thickness of around 100 gauge, PE can be produced up to 1200 gauge! These thicknesses are used in the marine industry, for example when a boat is shrink wrapped for storage. The drawback of PE is its relatively low shrink rate – typically around 20% – and its clarity is considerably lower than that of the other films.

The difference between shrink film and stretch film

Shrink film and stretch film are often confused because they look very similar, but they perform very differently. When PE is used for shrink wrapping, it is placed loosely over one or more items and then shrinks around them when heat is applied, providing tight, damage-free protection. When PE is used for stretch wrapping, it is formulated differently so that it can stretch around the products, for example as they are wrapped.

The film’s elasticity and its ability to cling to itself create a tight protective layer around the items. Stretch film is typically used to unitise several items on a pallet so that they do not shift during transport. Stretch film usually stretches by 100–300%, while shrink film stretches by only about 50–75% before it breaks.

If you are not sure which type of film is right for your company, ask our experienced specialists for help!

Key characteristics of PE shrink film / stretch film

LDPE (low-density polyethylene) – low melting point, good elongation and strength – generally used for food and meat products, and for stretch wrapping / palletising.

LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene) – thinner than LDPE, just as strong, transparent – used for bulk food, frozen food, prints, food products, bin bags and palletising / stretch wrapping.

HDPE (high-density polyethylene) – one of the most widely used polymers in plastic packaging – USDA/FDA-approved for food contact, lightweight, durable, water-resistant, with poor oxygen resistance – suitable for certain foods, retail products, clothing and stretch wrapping pallets.

Good for lower-end applications and unitising (e.g. 24-packs of water), and for replacing corrugated master cartons for larger quantities.

More expensive, but more durable.

Polyethylene shrink films are recyclable.

Thicker – provides greater stretchability.

Shrinks more during cooling than during heating, so additional cooling may be needed at the end of the packaging process.

Can also be used for large, heavy items such as multipacks of bottled water.

Thicker gauges are also suitable for packaging larger items such as ships and boats.

Summary

Whatever you plan to use shrink and stretch film for, consider which film type best suits your products based on their weight and size. The right packaging material is cost-effective because it protects your products in the long term. Weigh up transit time and shipping costs, availability, and the size and type of packaging materials available.

We offer custom packaging solutions tailored to your needs.