Description
Shrink polyethylene film is a heat-shrink packaging material used across the food, beverage, and consumer goods industries to bundle multiple products together into a single retail or distribution unit. When exposed to heat in a shrink tunnel, the film tightens around the product bundle, creating a firm, tidy, tamper-evident package that is stable for transport and storage. The film is used on its own for plain shrink bundling, or in combination with a printed paper sleeve inserted around the product group before shrinking, giving the combined pack both structural integrity and branded decorative graphics.
NovoPacks supplies shrink PE film in formulations suited to the range of heat-shrink bundling and multipacking applications found across the European food, beverage, household, and personal care sectors. The film is available in layflat tubing and centrefold formats for both side-seal and sleeve-seal wrapping formats, as well as in single-wound roll form for L-seal and other overwrap formats.
Shrink Properties and Process Compatibility
The key technical properties of shrink PE film for bundling are the shrink percentage at the tunnel temperature used, the shrink force (which determines how tightly the film grips the product), and the seal strength. Shrink percentage in the machine direction and transverse direction are specified separately – most bundling applications use film with balanced bidirectional shrink to achieve an even, wrinkle-free pack appearance. Shrink temperatures for PE film are typically in the range of 130 to 180 degrees Celsius in a standard hot-air tunnel.
The film is compatible with standard L-seal, side-seal, and sleeve-seal shrink packaging machines used across the European food and beverage industry. Thickness ranges from 35 to 80 microns for most multipacking applications, with thicker gauges used for heavier or larger product bundles such as beverage can trays and bulky household product packs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between shrink film and stretch film?
Stretch film is applied under tension – it is stretched around a load and held in position by its elastic recovery. It does not require heat to function. Shrink film starts as a larger sheet or sleeve and contracts when heat is applied in a shrink tunnel, conforming tightly to the shape of the product or bundle. Shrink film is used for single-product overwrapping and multipacking, while stretch film is primarily used for pallet load securing.
Can shrink PE film be used with a paper sleeve for branded multipacks?
Yes. The paper-sleeve-and-shrink-film combination is a well-established technique for creating branded retail multipacks, particularly in the beverage, tinned food, and household product categories. A printed paper sleeve is placed around the product group, and the shrink film is then applied over the top. When heat is applied, the film shrinks to grip both the products and the sleeve, holding the branded graphics firmly in place without adhesive. This gives a clean, professional retail appearance at a competitive cost.
What tunnel temperature is needed for polyethylene shrink film?
Hot-air shrink tunnels for PE film typically operate between 130 and 180 degrees Celsius, with exact settings depending on film gauge, line speed, product mass, and tunnel length. PE film shrinks at lower temperatures than polyolefin (POF) film and is suitable for products that are sensitive to high heat exposure. Your shrink tunnel supplier or NovoPacks can advise on the appropriate tunnel settings for your specific film grade and product.
What thicknesses of shrink PE film are available?
Shrink PE film for bundling applications is available from around 35 microns for lightweight product multipacks up to 80 or 100 microns for heavy beverage or industrial product bundles. Thicker film provides greater tear resistance and can handle heavier bundle weights, but requires slightly more heat energy and longer tunnel dwell time. NovoPacks can recommend the appropriate gauge for your product weight and bundle format.
Is PE shrink film food-safe?
Food contact PE shrink film is available and complies with EU Regulation (EC) No 10/2011 on plastic materials intended to contact food. Please specify your food contact requirement when enquiring. For indirect food contact applications where the film wraps a secondary package rather than the food product directly, standard grades are typically used without full food contact certification.