Stretch film, also called wrapping film or shrink film, was initially produced in China using PVC as the base material and DOA as both a plasticizer and a self-adhesive agent.
It was gradually phased out when PE stretch film production began in China in 1994–1995, due to environmental concerns, higher costs (PVC has a higher density than PE and covers less area per unit weight) and poor stretchability.
PE stretch film initially used EVA as a tackifier, but its high cost and odor led to the use of PIB and VLDPE. The base material is mainly LLDPE, including C4, C6, C8 and metallocene polyethylene (MPE).
The film's strong wrapping force and elastic recovery bind products securely into a compact unit. Products remain together even in unfavorable conditions, with no sharp edges or exposed adhesive to cause damage.
Types include PE wrapping film, PE stretch wrapping film, LLDPE stretch wrapping film and slit PE wrapping film.
