Polyolefin Shrink Film (POF Film)

POF Shrink Film (Polyolefin)

The POF Shrink Film (also known as shrink wrap or shrink plastic) is a popular film used for packaging general products. It’s especially suitable for consumer goods, cosmetics, and any kind of product exported to foreign countries that have strict chemical regulations affecting human health. This type of plastic is non-toxic and features a soft, sticky texture. Its clarity and brilliance make it perfect for clearly viewing the product inside, such as when wrapping cosmetic boxes, food containers, books, CD cases, and it’s recyclable, maximizing utility at a cost-effective price.

Distinctive Features of POF Shrink Film

• The film is thin, clear, and softly flexible.
• It’s strong, not fragile, and consistently shrinks when exposed to heat. This film can shrink more than 75% upon heating.
• It’s sticky and elastic, ensuring a tight seal even in colder environments.
• Odorless, free from contaminants, and non-toxic (Non Toxic).
• Can be recycled, ensuring maximum utility at a budget-friendly cost.

POF Shrink Film Production Formats

• Single sheet rolls.
• Double folded side rolls.
• Tubular rolls.
• Bags (both open-ended and single open-ended types).
• Can be printed with up to 8 colors.
• Produced in thicknesses ranging from 10 – 50 microns.
• Available in widths ranging from 100 – 1500 millimeters.

How many types of POF shrink films are there?

There are four types of POF shrink films available in the market:

1. 1. POF Shrink Film Regular: This is the standard shrink film commonly used to package products to protect the product surface. The film itself doesn’t have particularly notable properties; it’s thin, clear, and environmentally friendly. Suitable for general packaging such as cosmetic boxes, food supplement boxes, books, yogurt, sour milk, and so on.

   2. POF Shrink Film Cross-Linked: Next is the POF shrink film that undergoes a cross-linking process, which enhances the film’s strength and durability. It doesn’t tear easily, retains its shrinking properties, and is still thin and clear. Suitable for products with unique shapes like balls.

   3. POF Shrink Film High Performance: This POF shrink film has a high slip quality suitable for high-speed shrink packing machines. It has strong sealing marks, making it appropriate for semi-finished noodle products.

   4. POF Shrink Film Anti-Fog: Lastly, this POF shrink film is specially formulated to prevent fog or condensation from forming on the product, especially for fresh food items like vegetables, fruits, meats, and frozen ready-to-eat meals.

Benefits of using POF shrink films for your business

• It’s a versatile packaging material. POF shrink films can be used for a wide range of products, including food, drinks, cosmetics, and electronics.
• The film’s thickness, width, and length can be customized by the manufacturer, making it suitable for businesses and brands.
• POF shrink films are highly transparent, allowing consumers to easily view the product inside, which is a significant selling point for businesses wanting their customers to see the product before purchasing.
• They are durable and resistant, preventing tears, punctures, and other damages. It can effectively protect products during transport and storage.
• It can package products in various ways, especially when sealed with heat, ensuring the product inside remains fresh and retains its quality.
• Protects products from various factors like moisture, dust, and other contaminants.
• More affordable than other packaging materials, thus saving costs for the business.
• POF shrink films are a highly beneficial packaging solution for businesses. With its versatile properties, it can effectively protect the products inside, creating a good impression on consumers, aiding in their purchasing decisions. Most importantly, it offers a cost-effective investment compared to other materials, undoubtedly providing valuable returns for your business.

SPESIFICATION POLYOLEFIN SHRINK FILM
TEST ITEM	UNIT	STM TEST	SPEC	TYPICAL VALUES
Thickness	Micron	D654	+/-3	9	10	12	15	19	25	30	40	60
Density	g/cm³	Digital Balance	0.90 – 0.92	0.92
Tensile
Tensile Strength (MD)	N/mm²	D882	≥	110	115	115	110	110	95	75	80	150
Tensile Strength (TD)			≥	115	110	110	105	105	90	77	60	154
Elongation (MD)	%		≥	95	100	115	120	125	130	131	187	262
Elongation (TD)			≥	90	95	110	115	115	125	122	175	244
Tear
MD	g	D1922	≥	6.5	8.5	10.5	14.5	17.5	23.5	30.5	35	61
TD			≥	6.2	9.5	10.0	13.5	16.0	23.0	29.0	32	58
Seal Strength
MD/Hot Wire Seal	N/mm	F88	≥	0.6	0.75	0.65	0.81	1.03	1.25	1.28	2.0	2.0
TD/Hot Wire Seal			≥	0.65	0.75	0.68	0.86	1.06	1.3	1.4	2.0	2.0
COF (Film & Film)
Dynamic		D1894	0.1 – 0.25	0.11	0.12	0.13	0.22	0.22	0.23	0.23	0.22	0.20
Static			0.1 – 0.25	0.13	0.13	0.13	0.23	0.24	0.24	0.23	0.21	0.21
Optics
Haze		D1003	≥ 2.0	3.2	3.5	2.2	2.6	3.2	3.9	3.2	3.1	3.0
Clarity		D1746	≥ 90	98.5	98.0	98.5	98.0	97.0	95.0	93.0	92.0	90.0
Gloss @ 45 Deg		D2457	≥ 70	82	82	85.5	87.0	83.5	81.5	78.0	75.0	91.0
Barrier
Oxygen Transmission Rate	cc/m² / day	D3985	≥	14400	11800	11300	10800	7200	5400	4500	4508	4506
Water Vapor Transmission Rate	gm/m² / day	F1249	≥	55	48	45.5	38.5	26.5	22.5	20.5	20.5	20.5

POF ANTISTATIC FILM

With antistatic additive to protect ESD sensitive contents from electrostatic fields and electrostatic discharges(ESD)

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Plastic is currently the main medium for packaging because it is lightweight and affordable. Previously, PVC was the go-to material of choice but that is no longer the case today.

Advancements in science and awareness towards socio-environmental health led to the creation of polyolefin shrink film. Now POF is the most popular shrink wrapping plastic used across a vast range of industries. Why? The reasons are many.

What is POF shrink film? 

It is a type of translucent film or polymer plastic sheet that has become the preferred choice for packaging both edible and non-edible goods in the manufacturing sector.

The name “shrink film” was created because plastic shrinks tightly over whatever it is covering when heat is applied to it. Thus, “shrink wrapping” using shrink film.

POF shrink film is made from POF which stands for polyolefin. In the past, PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) film was widely used for shrink wrapping but it is slowly being replaced by POF shrink film.

What is POF?

Polyolefin is actually a group of hydrocarbons, i.e. compounds containing hydrogen [H] and carbon [C] atoms. It is often derived from natural gas or from low-molecular-weight constituents of petroleum.

As a thermoplastic, the polyolefin is popular because it is extremely easy to mould, to shape and can be reshaped over and over again simply by repeating the heating, moulding and cooling process. POF also has several other good qualities which makes it safer than PVC.

There are two main types of POF – polyethylene and polypropylene. These are further subdivided into several grades for different applications.

What is POF shrink film used for?

Polyolefin shrink film is used for almost every kind of application. Essentially, it is used to protect and package a single product, or to bundle multiple products together.

It is particularly favoured for packaging less rigid items such as foodstuff, stationery, cards and electronic items, just to name a few.

Qualities of POF shrink film

The following are the extensive qualities that make POF shrink film a popular packaging material worldwide:

• Anti-fog
• Durable
• Versatile
• Seal-strength 
•  Fairly low-cost
• Tear-resistance
• Low shrink force
• Puncture-resistance
•  Wide range of gauges
•  Excellent tensile-strength
• Can be pre-perforated – no air pockets
• Can be made from 100% recyclable material
• Clarity and glossiness – makes for excellent shelf appearance
• Stable – not as affected by temperature changes compared with PVC
• FDA-approved food-safe material – suitable for the Food & Beverage industry
• Ability to shrink quickly and completely – shrinks when heated resulting in a finished good as soon as it comes out of the shrink tunnel)

Polyolefin is also available with different characteristics, including cross-linked wrap which provides high-tensile strength and incredible clarity for high-speed packaging applications, as well as prevents buildup on sealing components of your packaging machinery. 

As POF shrink film easily bends to low temperatures, it does not deform, bend or collapse thin, flimsy or delicate products. This quality also provides excellent protection for irregular-shaped items.

Common terms related to shrink wrapping

• Gauge – a measurement used to describe film thickness
• Shrink force – (shrink energy) the amount of force that the shrink film will exert on your product
• Tear resistance – the ability of a film to resist tear with forced exertion on the film
• Shrink tunnel – equipment that uses a chamber to produce heat with a continuous conveyor running through the chamber
• Centerfold shrink film – film that has been folded in half lengthways to make wrapping easier and quicker
• Crow’s feet – wrinkles diverging out from a finished package’s corners
• Dog ears – triangular projections of unshrunk film at the corners of complete packages (common in packages wrapped with PVC shrink wrap)
• Impulse sealer – a sealer using a heating element that is pulsed with voltage during the sealing process to mend polymer materials together
• L-Bar sealer – a sealer where the sealing surface is in the shape of a backward “L”
• Lap seal – making a seal using two layers of shrink film lapped over each other
• Machine direction – the direction the film is manufactured and moves through the sealing equipment
• Memory – the ability of a shrink film to maintain characteristics after sealing
• Optics – the visual properties of a shrink or stretch film

Thickness conversion chart

POF is available in various thicknesses, from as low as 35-gauge (0.35 mil) up to 100 (1 mil) gauge. Sometimes, the term “micron” or “mil” is used instead to indicate thickness. Here is a thickness conversion chart for easier reference.

1 Gauge = One-hundredth of a Mil

100 Gauge = One Mil Thickness

1 Gauge = 0.254 Microns

100 Gauge = 25.4 Microns

1 Mil = one-thousandth of an Inch

1 Mil = 25.4 Microns

Industries that use shrink wrap

Food: It is one of the largest industries that commonly use shrink wrap. Wrapping in shrink film helps to remove oxygen contact from the food and can reduce waste.

Printing & Paper Products: Many companies in this industry use shrink wrap to protect their products and goods as well as to detect and deter tampering.

Pharmaceuticals: Shrink wrap is used to help seal caps and detect tampering.

Hardware & Housewares: Shrink wrap is commonly used to deter and detect tampering as well as bundle multiple products together.

Electronics: The electronics industry commonly uses shrink tubing and shrink wrap.

Miscellaneous: There are a variety of other industries and uses for shrink wrap. The marine industry, for example, commonly uses shrink wrap to winterize boats and protect them from environmental elements.

Games & Sporting Goods: Manufacturers, resellers, wholesalers, and retailers use shrink wrap for wrapping a variety of goods and products. PVC shrink wrap is frequently used for these items.

Differences between “shrink wrap” and “stretch wrap” 

Differences between PVC and POF

To the non-discerning, a PVC shrink film and POF shrink film may be the same. However, there are vast differences which have made POF the favoured material over PVC.

PVC stands for Polyvinyl Chloride. PVC shrink film was most commonly used until several years ago when it got replaced by polyolefin (POF) shrink wrap. There are a few reasons for this.

1. Common drawbacks of PVC Shrink Wrap – sealing strength, storage issues

The plasticizer in PVC Shrink becomes brittle in cold conditions and wrinkles under hot conditions, thus compromising the strength of the seal and the plastic.

Polyolefin shrink wrap also does not have any plasticizers, so the temperature is not an issue. Polyolefin can be stored in a wide range of temperatures and does not harden or soften in different environments like PVC shrink film.

2. Harmful sealing by-products

PVC shrink wrap also releases small quantities of hydrogen chloride into the air and carbon deposits onto the sealer. Proper ventilation is required when sealing PVC shrink wrap.

Polyolefin shrink film produces fewer odors when sealed because its material does not have any chlorine. Therefore, the film does not produce HydroChloric gas as a by-product.

3. Health and safety concerns

When PVC is heated, it releases HydroChloric gas. For this reason, PVC poses a danger to the health of factory workers during production and the public during incineration or decomposition. 

Many countries have banned the use of PVC. Brands that hold high regard for corporate and social responsibility have also banned PVC in their product packaging. This is an important consideration for brands. Some stores have limited products that use PVC packaging, such as Walmart.

4. Maintenance cost

PVC leaves carbon deposits on the sealer. This causes regular maintenance in order for the sealer to operate consistently.

 Recommendations for POF shrink wrap usage

Tools and machinery for POF shrink wrapping

Typical tools are heat guns, L-Bar sealers, I-Bar Sealers and shrink tunnels. When using shrink wrap, a heating instrument will be needed to shrink the film. Certain machinery may be required depending on the desired application.

Can a hairdryer replace a shrink wrap heat gun?

No, a heat gun is recommended for a professional look.

Does a shrink wrap machine cut and seal the shrink wrap at the same time?

Yes, most of them do. Once sealed and cut, the scraps can be peeled away, and heat can be applied to the shrink wrap. The heat will reduce the size of the shrink wrap film and help to conform it to the product.

What gauge of shrink wrap do I need?

It depends on the weight of the product. The heavier the product, the bigger the gauge.

How much shrink film is needed?

Measuring for shrink film is relatively simple, but is determined by the type of shrink product you intend on using. See below for measurement formulas for every kind of film. Remember, if the exact size needed is not available, go to the next size up. All of our shrink film has a shrink rate of at least 30%.

There is a wide variety of POF shrink film in the market. Each brand or type has a different shrink rate. The size of film needed for sealing a product depends on the shrink rate of the film, but there are a few formulas for measuring in general.

Centerfold Shrink Film Measurement Formula

Width + Depth x 2 x 1.1÷2 = Centerfold Film Width Needed

Shrink Bag Measurement Formula

For bag width: Width + Depth x 2 x 1.1÷2 = Centerfold Film Width Needed

For bag length: Width + (Depth +2 inches) x 2 x 1.1÷2 = Centerfold Film Width Needed

Shrink Tubing Measurement Formula

For squared objects: Width + Depth x 2 x 1.1÷2 = Centerfold Film Width Needed

(but most people use tubing for cylindrical purposes)

For circular objects: Circumference x 2 x 1.1÷2 = Tubing Width Needed

Conclusion

When deciding on the best type of shrink wrap for your product, the cost is definitely a huge factor. Nonetheless, the cost of POF shrink wrap has become very competitive due to increased production to fulfill a worldwide demand.

The long list of positive qualities of polyolefin shrink wrap and its safety factor also explains why it is the best choice for food, beverage and consumer product packaging.

Cost of the HSA and environmental factors in the production process and POF becomes a better option than POV at any time.

Local and global consumers are also increasingly aware of the environmental and health impacts of their buying activities. This has forced big brands to be cautious of packaging material for their products. If POV shrink wrap is safe for wrapping edible items, it is safe for non-edible items and the environment. 

Sources:

WILEY-VCH. Polyolefin Reaction Engineering. First Edition. Joa˜o B. P. Soares and Timothy F. L. McKenna. © 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA. Published 2012 by Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA (Print) Available on: https://application.wiley-vch.de/books/sample/3527317104_c01.pdf   [Accessed on 25 June 2020]

Encyclopaedia Britannica. Polyolefin. (Online) Available at: https://www.britannica.com/science/polyolefin  [Accessed on 25 June 2020]

US Packaging & Wrapping LLC. Shrink Film 101. (Online) Available at: (https://uspackagingandwrapping.com/shrink-film-101.html)  [Accessed on 25 June 2020]

US Packaging & Wrapping LLC. 5 January 2017. Sustainable Packaging: The Walmart Sustainability Playbook. (Online) Available at: https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/walmart-sustainability-playbook  [Accessed on 25 June 2020]

United States Plastic Corp. What is the difference between a stretch wrap and shrink wrap? (Online) Available at: https://www.usplastic.com/knowledgebase/article.aspx?contentkey=957  [Accessed on 25 June 2020]