Shrink-wrapping significantly reduces the amount of product spoilage during transport, storage and sale. The attractive, transparent wrap allows the goods to be displayed whilst ensuring they remain fresh. Many types of food products have become available for sale precisely because of this film wrapping. By using this protection in combination with disposable trays, it has become possible to display the following in open display cases:
- confectionery;
- sliced meat and cheese;
- fruit and vegetable platters;
- bakery goods;
- fish;
- ready-to-cook meals;
- other products.
Shrink film not only creates a protective barrier but also securely holds the product in place within a box or on a tray. Using specialised machinery, the shrink wrap is briefly exposed to hot air and tightly conforms to the product, taking on its shape. Once cooled, the result is the familiar transparent packaging that reliably protects the contents from potential damage during transit or on the shelf. This process is known as heat-shrinking.
Heat-shrink wrap for food packaging: types and characteristics
Packaging in this way allows products to be packed either individually or as a complete set. The wrap holds a group of goods together perfectly, which facilitates the transport of the cargo. Among the most popular heat-shrinkable film packaging for food products are:
- PVC (polyvinyl chloride);
- POF (polyolefin);
- PE (polyethylene).
Each of these performs its intended purpose excellently, thanks to its specific characteristics and properties. The basic characteristics of heat-shrink films are:
- degree of shrinkage and tension;
- thickness and dimensions;
- shrinkage temperature;
- density;
- tensile strength.
The shrinkage coefficient indicates the percentage reduction in dimensions after heat shrinkage. The stress generated during heating depends on the thickness of the shrink film, the material, the temperature and the heating time. The lower the heating temperature during shrinkage, the longer the packaging process takes. Even after shrinkage, the film material retains sufficient strength to fit snugly around the product without compromising the integrity of the packaging.
Heat-shrink film for packaging from reliable manufacturers, such as our partners Propack (Turkey) and PVRan (Israel), has high mechanical and technical properties. Thanks to strict adherence to the formulation and manufacturing technology, uniform properties are achieved across the entire web.
Advantages of using heat-shrinkable PVC wrap
PVC wrap is the most widely used heat-shrinkable film material for food packaging. And this is no coincidence. The combination of qualities and properties of this material allows products to stay fresh for longer, protects them from unauthorised access, and makes it easy to display products on the shelf. This is particularly relevant for self-service aisles, where some products simply cannot be displayed without such film.
Heat-shrink wrap for packaging from Eventus Group Ltd meets all the requirements of strict sanitary and hygiene standards for the food industry and is approved for direct contact with foodstuffs. The use of this type of packaging offers a number of advantages.
- Transparent and glossy, it looks aesthetically pleasing and effectively highlights the freshness and appeal of the products.
- The use of PVC wrap extends shelf life, thanks to its gas-permeable properties. This allows the product to retain moisture whilst preventing the growth of mould and fungus.
- PVC packaging wrap has high resistance to fats. This quality is indispensable when packaging products with a high fat content.
- The material preserves the colour and taste of the contents, preventing the absorption of foreign odours.
- It holds the product securely in place (on the backing) and protects against minor mechanical damage.
- The packaging protects the goods from contamination, moisture, weathering, unwanted contact and tampering.
- Goods packaged using heat shrinkage are convenient to store, warehouse and transport.
- High-quality, thin yet durable PVC film significantly reduces packaging costs.
Further advantages of this practical, versatile material include ease of use and compatibility with all types of heat-shrink equipment.
Heat-shrink PVC wrap from leading manufacturers is available in our catalogue.
