Selecting the appropriate material in the packaging industry is of utmost importance in regard to product consistency, product life on the shelf, and compliance with regulations. One of the best available options that is becoming widely used among packaging manufacturers, distributors, and food brands alike is Polyolefin shrink film, or POF shrink film.
This guide will address what packaging professionals need to know about polyolefin shrink film. This includes what polyolefin shrink film for food packaging consists of, the advantages it offers, common applications for the packaging films, compliance factors to consider, and why it remains a crucial investment for the future of food packaging.
What Is Polyolefin Shrink Film?
Polyolefin shrink film (POF) is a type of premium, multi-layer shrink film, consisting of a combination of the materials polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). These materials can be co-processed in various multi-layer co-extruded processes to create a premium shrink film that possesses strength, flexibility, clarity, and shrinks tightly around products when heat is applied.
Why Polyolefin Shrink Film Is Ideal For Food Packaging?
The food packaging industry specifies many different materials, not only for a protective medium, but also to provide hygiene, barrier protection, shelf appeal, and regulatory compliance. Polyolefin shrink film offers an advantage in all the above areas.
- Food Safe and Compliant: POF is free of any harmful plasticizers and or chlorine-based compounds, and is compliant with FDA and EU regulations for food contact.
- Optically Good: High clarity provides better visibility and will appeal to the human eye when a consumer walks into a retail environment looking for visual stimuli.
- Shelf Life Extension: The film provides an exceptional barrier to moisture and oxygen, therefore allowing for an extended shelf life and product flavor.
- Conformity with No Complications: The uniform expansion of POF as it shrinks provides a snug, tamper-evident seal that allows for product evaluation to maintain the integrity of the product.
Key Benefits of Polyolefin Shrink Film for Food Packaging
There are many functional and commercial benefits of Food packaging with polyolefin shrink film:
1. High Clarity and Gloss
POF films provide high clarity and gloss to the product, which adds judgment to the product’s appearance when displayed on retail shelves. This poses a significant benefit to food brands and merchandise that wish to articulate freshness and quality.
2. High Mechanical Strength
The polyolefin shrink film gauge is thinner but contains outstanding puncture resistance and tear strength. With this mechanical performance, there will be less risk of film failure when handled, shipped, and displayed, which will be favorable for many row packaging distributors and logistics.
3. Excellent Temperature Performance
POF films have reliability for various storage and shipping conditions. They maintain integrity in cold storage, freezer, and ambient environments, making POF suitable for frozen, chilled, and shelf-stable food.
4. Compatibility with High-Speed Packaging
Modern food-packaging lines require materials that conform to automated processes. Polyolefin shrink films move through high-speed shrink tunnels and sealers with ease, which helps productivity grow with less downtime.
5. Eco-Friendliness and Recyclability
POF films are becoming more attractive to today’s customers not only because they are more sustainable, but because they do not generate hazardous gases in their production like PVC films, and they will be recyclable in many markets.
6. Versatility Across Food Applications
Polyolefin shrink film is compatible with virtually any food application, allowing a distributor to service multi-line customers with the same substrate. Polyolefin can be used on items like baked goods, snacks, frozen meals, and multipacks.
Applications Of Polyolefin Shrink Film In The Food Industry
The versatile polyolefin shrink film’s functionality as a food packaging material makes it an effective option in multiple aspects of the food industry.
- Bakery Products: Breads, cakes, muffins, and pastries do well with the clarity of the polyolefin shrink film and ensuing freshness.
- Confectionery: Chocolates, candy, and sweets use POF due to its tamper seal and upscale look.
- Frozen Foods: Meals, meats, and vegetables are preserved with cold chain conditions.
- Dairy & Beverages: Cheese, yogurt, and multi-pack drink containers benefit from polyolefin’s flexible seal with secure freshness.
- Prepared Meals: POF provides leakage-proof packaging while extending the aggregated shelf life of prepared food products.
- Multipack Bundling: The bundles are used for club packs and promotional bundles without losing any product visibility.
How To Choose The Right Polyolefin Shrink Film For Food Packaging?
When choosing the right POF shrink film, be sure to factor in your application. The points below should be noted:
- Gauge thickness: Lighter gauges (12-15 microns) are typically suitable for smaller items, while heavier films (19-25 microns) are best for larger or bulkier items
- Shrink Ratio: A Balanced shrink ratio will achieve tight conformity without distortion
- Sealing Features: The film must be assessed for compatibility with the sealing method of the packaging line
- Barrier performance: Barrier performance for both moisture and oxygen flow is dependent on the shelf life of the packaged item
- Printability: If you expect you print some branding or product information, check with your vendor to see if the films would have the ability to print graphics or high graphic quality.
Why Choose Bagla Group For Polyolefin Shrink Film?
Bagla Group aims to deliver high-performance polyolefin shrink film for food packaging solutions that move packaging forward.
- 7 Layer Co-Extrusion Technology: Provides optical clarity, barrier properties, and mechanical properties.
- Monthly Production Capacity of 500 Tons: High-volume, consistent supply and consistent quality every time.
- State-of-the-art extrusion machines: Improvements in efficiency, precision, and performance of the overall film performance.
- Customized Solutions: Capability to make films for very specific, unique packaging needs.
- Trusted By 20+ Markets: Servicing the leading global food brands, distributors, and OEMs with a packing solution.
Conclusion
Polyolefin shrink film continues to be the consumer food packaging of choice with a commitment to safety, functionality, sustainability, and aesthetics. Polyolefin shrink film is uniform in clarity, strong mechanical full strength, sustainable, compliant options, and versatility. Polyolefin shrink film really is the best solution to consider for packaging professionals and distributors who are looking to create the greatest value for their consumers.
Polyolefin shrink film is always the preferred protective packaging for category products like bagged baked goods, frozen entrees, multipack beverages, or single packs of food, because it provides the best in overall packaging performance, while providing premium-looking packaging in a food packaging world that consumer expect to see for their packaging solution. Packaging performance can only improve by working with an experienced global packaging partner like Bagla Group.
FAQs
Is Polyolefin Shrink Film Suitable For Direct Food Contact?
Yes, POF shrink film is FDA approved and does not contain harmful chemicals — it is therefore safe for direct contact with food.
Can POF Shrink Film be used as packaging for frozen food?
Yes, definitely. POF films work especially well in cold chain conditions and maintain their characteristics when frozen.
What Is The Appropriate Thickness For Food Packaging Applications?
For most food products, 12–19 microns is the best thickness. For heavier products, you may require a thicker gauge, up to 25 microns.
Does polyolefin shrink film allow for printing and branding?
Yes. POF films have very good printability, which means the graphics produced can look very high quality, assisting with branded visibility and food compliance labeling.
How Do Polyolefin Shrink Films Compare To PVC In cost?
While slightly more expensive to start, POF offers better performance, compliance, and sustainability overall – and provides a cost advantage in the long run.
