PCR Resin: Giving Life To Post Consumer Waste (PCW) Again

PCR Resin TGSH Thong Guan

Are you aware of the buzz surrounding PCR resin in the packaging supply chain? 

With all the talks about joining in the sustainability movement, one of the ways to close the loop is to use post-consumer recycled materials instead of virgin feedstock in packaging. 

The movement and demand of PCR resin have grown enormously over time. 

The global “Post Consumer Resin (PCR) Market” research report showed that the “Global Post Consumer Resin (PCR) market was valued at USD 30,450 million in 2020.

It is estimated that it will reach USD 42,470 million by the end of 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.7% during 2022-2027”. 

More users and consumers of packaged goods businesses are placing more weight on sustainability, using less energy, and lessening waste. 

Brand owners are also aware that sustainability goals are more important now than ever, as consumers seek out brands focused on the environment.  

In this article, let us learn more about PCR resin and how it plays a role as a #loopcloser to bring you a step closer to your sustainability goals. 

 

What Is PCR Resin & Why It Matters

PCR plastics refer to any plastic material that is made from post-consumer resins. 

Post-consumer recycled (PCR) resin is the recycled product of external waste created by consumers. 

The International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) “Plastics Vocabulary” list, the definition of post-consumer or post-use material as 

“material generated by the end-users of products, that has fulfilled its intended purpose or can no longer be used (including material returned from within the distribution chain).” 

These wastes are called post-consumer waste (PCW), which are not usable anymore because their functionalities have already been destroyed.

They are gathered and sent through a process to produce plastic resin pellets.

These pellets are then turned back into valuable products. 

They are environmentally friendly and a more sustainable option that many manufacturers are beginning to use to support their recycling programs.

It helps decrease the amount of waste sent to landfills and microplastics drifting away into our seas. 

Why does this matter? 

It is because we want to strive towards a sustainable environment of minimal waste where plastics may live useful lives again.

We are moving towards a culture of recyclability and closing the circular loop. 

You should join in the movement too. 

 

What Are The Advantages Of Using Renewable Recycled Material:

Here are some advantages when more recycled material like PCR resin is used in the supply chain and our environment. 

  • Waste reduction – Plastics do not biodegrade and take up to 500 years to decompose in a landfill. Recycling lessens the usage of valuable landfill space and greatly reduces ocean-bound plastic.
  • Energy conservation – When we reuse existing materials, we use significantly less energy compared with the processing of raw, virgin materials.
  • Conservation of precious resources – Using recycled materials protects valuable natural resources like oil, which is limited and non-renewable.
  • Reduce carbon footprint – Manufacturing produces greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide which is harmful to the environment. In addition to its effects on climate change, its toxic smog and air pollution affect our health. Since less energy and raw fossil fuels are required during its compounding process, greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprints are also reduced. 

 

Collecting Unwanted Packaging Waste To Live Useful Lives Again

To reprocess Post Consumer Waste (PCW), Thong Guan collects cleaned and packed waste to be recycled. 

There are two ways that waste is collected.

  1. Plastic packaging waste from “used packaging” that is used to package raw materials received (i.e. resins)
  2. Plastic packaging waste from other suppliers in the supply chain 

Some of these wastes consist of PE sheets, bags, and stretch films. 

We collect these usable consumer waste from suppliers, which usually comes in form of big palletized packs or resin-loaded containers

By recycling these discarded wastes back into the packaging ecosystem, we convert them into valuable raw materials – completing the circle to close the plastic loop.

 

How Does The Process Work and The Valuable Role Of PCR Resins?

In order to convert PCW into PCR plastic resins, Thong Guan follows a series of steps that we carefully follow to ensure quality output.

And that’s vital for quality films and bags production. 

Here are the steps below

  1. Collection and sorting: The process starts with the collection of packaging materials (PE Sheets/Bags/Stretch Films/Stretch Hood) of the raw materials (resins) that comes in from Thong Guan’s plants that will be sorted, compiled and collected
  2. Compression Process – PCW wastes are then compressed into a bale and made ready for transfer
  3. Waste Processing – These PCW wastes will be transferred over to TGSH Plastic Industries for processing 
  4. Flaking – TGSH will start processing these wastes through a flaking process. These PCW waste will be flaked into a silo 
  5. PCR Resins Production – After the PCW waste is flaked, it is converted into PCR resins (Post Consumer Recycled Resins) 
  6. Extrusion Process – PCR Resins are then included in the extrusion process to create newly recycled plastics
  7. PCR Plastics – Extruded plastics are ready and made into PCR based products like garbage bags, ready to live useful lives again. 

 

Why it’s time to start using PCR Resin

As the world moves towards sustainability, introducing recycled materials in your products is inevitable. 

The fight for our environment is not something we can shoulder alone.

Whether it is compliance pressure from the government, consumer preference to go green or your initiative to fight for our environment, Thong Guan strives to innovate to help you minimize your packaging footprint and make good packaging wastes. 

With the growing demands for recycled materials, it is essential to establish a closed collaboration with users in the packaging supply chain.

Together we can achieve sustainability goals as we lean towards PCR resin and loop closing initiatives. 

Would you like to learn more about using recycled materials?

Let us talk about PCR resins and other #loopclosers at info@thongguan.com. 

Closing the Loop with NanoGreen: 30% Recycled Machine Film

recycled machine film NanoGreen

We should all invest in recycled machine film from now onwards.

Plastics are indeed valuable commodities in the packaging ecosystem, but what happens to them post-usage? 

National Geographic found that 91% of plastics are not recycled. In other words, only 9% of materials are recycled. A study in 2018 shows that mass production has created 8.3 billion metric tons of plastics—most of which end up in the trash. 

This is alarming.

As a plastics manufacturer, we strive to close the plastic waste loop. Here are some initiatives that we are doing. 

  • Progressively develop innovative ideas to close the loop. We have recently launched #livegreen to strengthen our commitment towards sustainability through education, innovation, recycling, alternative sourcing and more. 
  • Help our clients to reduce damaged goods and unsaleables, all of which contributes to more wastes, with wrapping optimisation through state-of-the-art simulation test lab, Newton R&D Centre (link to Newton https://newton-centre.my/)
  • Help our customers that will soon face the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) law. Plastic packaging imported to the UK or manufactured in the UK that contains less than 30% recycled plastic will be subject to this new tax.

That is why we have chosen to put recycled materials back into the system so that plastics can live a longer lifespan of their usefulness. 

By recycling, we reduce waste, reduce our carbon footprint, and close the material loop. 

 

Are Recycled Machine Films Effective? 

The issue is not just whether recycled machine films are effective but also when you will need to adopt the closing-the-loop business decisions.

The walls are closing in for those who are still doubtful of going through the recycled content route. 

  • The British government has set the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) law with good reasons to promote sustainability through recycling, and others will most likely follow. 
  • The National Plastics Plan of Australia also accelerated 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging by 2025.
  • Prices of virgin materials have seen to fluctuate due to recent global climate and demand changes. (https://www.thongguan.com/nano-10-micron-what-can-you-do-to-outsmart-the-plastic-resins-price-surge/)
  • It is unsustainable to use single-use plastics because they are made from nonrenewable resources and produce pollution. 

Whatever the reasons, we understand your hesitancy towards recycled films.

Such as, 

  • Are recycled films are as good as virgin films? 
  • Shouldn’t recycled films be cheaper?
  • Is the quality lower?
  • Can recycled machine films still get the job done at the end of the day?

Check out our #RecycledPlastic article series, and you may find more information about it. 

Meanwhile, here is some answer to your questions. 

When we use suitable plastic wastes, clean them thoroughly and processed them in a conducive environment, recycled plastic machine films are surprisingly comparable to conventional stretch films.

Yes, it may take extra work to collect plastic waste for recycling to repurpose it, but it is even more painful if you don’t recycle.  

But more than that, moving towards recycled films is sustainable for the packaging ecosystem. 

Let us show you what the benefits are and why you should embrace recycled materials for films, how it fits into your wrapping process (machine) and how you can test it to have the assurance of safe deliveries. 

 

Let’s Talk About Recycled Machine Film

If you are not new to recycled films, you know that machine film with 30% recycled materials is uncommon for semi-auto wrapping applications. 

Many are still unaware of such green initiatives but will eventually hear more sustainability policies around the world like the UK’s PPT implementation. 

As mentioned, It is important to have films with at least 30% recycled materials because it meets sustainable policies.

Businesses that make and import plastic packaging and consumers who buy goods packaged in plastic in the UK will be affected by plastic packaging that doesn’t contain 30% recycled plastic.

That is why it matters to source films with recycled materials that suit your needs before April 2022. 

Besides avoiding hefty taxes, you are championing “loop closing”, too.

You support and encourage the sustainability movement within the industrial chain and economy loop when you purchase recycled plastic films.

More plastic producers like us, stakeholders and end-users would be more supportive and involved in utilising recycled content in packaging arrangements. 

Recycled content has so much potential to be developed in the packaging industry. Perhaps this little push will help end-users discover alternative green products that can also do the job and protect our precious resources at the same time. 

One of such is our #loopcloser below.

 

Introducing NanoGreen, TG’s First High-Quality Recycled Machine Film 

Made with 30% recycled materials, NanoGreen stretch film is designed to meet your requirements. 

Apart from giving life to waste, our specially formulated film meets your requirements through laborious processes and rigorous testing to ensure they secure your goods, as well as virgin films.   

Even with recycled materials, compromising on pallet load stability is not an option. 

Here are some other points that you can look forward to:

  • Sustainability – Significantly reduces CO2 emissions with 30% recycled content 
  • High Load Containment Force – Higher holding force and allows you to achieve optimum wrap
  • Preserving the safety of your goods – From packing to fulfilment of the order. If you keep your goods safe, you reduce waste from damaged and unsaleable merchandise.
  • Cost-Efficient – Costs for wrapping are relatively comparable to virgin plastic material
  • Ideal without compromise – build sustainability without sacrificing properties of stretch film.
  • No Easy Snapping – Highly consistent film thickness that prevents easy snapping
  • Green – Traceability through green reporting on sustainable goals.

 

Here is a video of NanoGreen in action, a test at Newton R&D Centre on load containment performance.

We’re excited to announce that, when you get NanoGreen from us, in the near future, you will be joining efforts with a recognised Global Recycling Standards (GRS)—ISCC+ accreditation.

Yes, you heard right. We’re taking our closing-the-loop and sustainability initiatives a step further by making our efforts quantifiable.

That’s a plus point: you can show your customers that you are serious about sustainability and participating in a global movement to close the loop. Some of the other brands that have also applied for this accreditation are, e.g. Coca-Cola, Unilever, and Soy Network Switzerland.

How does this film fit into your wrapping process?

NanoGreen performs comparably just like other machine stretch films in the market. 

It covers the aspects of:

  • Excellent stretch force
  • High Anti-tear resistance
  • Outstanding puncture resistance 

The film is suitable for semi-auto machines with an operating range of 200% stretch for 15 um films, which is premium and ideal for most users in the supply chain. 

 

Testing Your Recycled Machine Film Before Delivery

So NanoGreen sounds interesting, but can this recycled plastic film perform on the job? 

Fret not; this is where Newton Research & Development Centre can help ensure this and clear this concern once and for all. 

Newton can test out your film and ensure load stability and optimise your wraps. Peace of mind awaits, no more worries. 

Newton R&D Centre’s popular acceleration and deceleration tests showed us that NanoGreen works on your semi-auto wrappers.

 

Conclusion: We Have Moved Ahead, How About You?

Yes, using recycled machine film sure saves on tax, but more importantly, it promotes sustainability. 

It’s not just about pointing fingers at who should start first, as sustainability is everyone’s responsibility. 

Thong Guan is ready to help you with that. With our premium recycled machine film, we can help tie everything together and support you in reaching your sustainable goals faster.

It’s your move now; let’s close the loop together. 

Contact us at info@thongguan.com and let us show you how. 

Tips and Methods to Reduce Plastic Pollution

plastic bottles

Plastic pollution isn’t new yet it has not stopped endangering wildlife and threatening the ecosystem.

According to UN Environment, around 8 million tons of plastics are deposited in the ocean each year, and this number is expected to reach 90 million tons by 2030. Plastic bags, one of the most common forms of finished plastics, are used for an average of 25 minutes yet it takes between 100 to 500 years to disintegrate.

What’s more, plastic wrap production accounts for 8% of the total oil produced in the world. A major concern is that by 2040, the plastic industry will be valued at a whopping $1.4 trillion, doubling its current value.

So how can we reduce plastic pollution? In this post, we highlight major tips and methods to fight the plastic crisis, including Thong Guan Industries Berhad’s LIVE GREEN Goals in helping save mother earth.

1. Replacing Disposable Plastics

From plastic wraps to straws, disposable cutlery, coffee cups, grocery bags and stretch films, over 90% of daily plastic items is used only once before they are disposed of. One can only imagine how many million plastics have ended up in the ocean.

Replacing disposable plastics is one way to minimize such excessive wastages. For instance, everyone should learn to replace disposable plastic items with reusable silverware, shopping bags, travel mugs, etc. before getting more accustomed to this habit.

 

2. Recycling Plastics

So far, around 14% of plastic packaging is recycled all through the world. Instead of disposing of plastic products, reusing or recycling them into useful products should be encouraged.

While some daily plastic items can be easily reused or recycled, certain plastics cannot be recycled at all. The following plastic types can be reused or recycled. You can easily identify a specific kind of plastic by simply checking the number on the bottom of the container.

Look for PET (used for liquid cleaner bottles and most beverages), PP (used for yoghurt, ketchup bottles, plastic cutlery, etc.), HDPE (used for milk, juice, etc.). These plastic types are recyclable and are accepted by most curbside recycling companies.

 

3. Awareness and Sensitization

A lack of awareness and sensitization is also the reason for the plastic crisis. Consumers may not be fully aware of the health and safety hazards involved in plastic use and disposal.

Product standards, labelling requirements, and certifications can be designed to sensitize the public and enable more people to understand the negative impacts of single-use plastics.

Legislation on single-use plastic products can enable the higher use of reusable plastics.

 

4. Buy in Bulk

In addition to replacing disposable wrapping plastics with a reusable alternative, buying items in large quantities can help reduce plastic packaging.

This is amongst the easiest yet most impactful options for reducing plastic pollution. For instance, instead of buying toiletries from one store and hopping into another for the next purchase, consumers can consider buying in bulk.

This can drastically reduce the product-to-packaging ratio of items people tend to buy often.

 

Thong Guan’s Transformative Goals: LIVE GREEN

Going green isn’t simply a ‘trend’ at Thong Guan. It’s a way of life and a path to a more sustainable future. That is why we actively provide efficient solutions for businesses by offering a variety of eco-friendly packaging options.

Thong Guan has been committed to environmental conservation via its fundamental concept of RE:DUCE, RE:USE, and RE:CYCLE. Our green products are created to reduce waste and promote the conservation of natural resources.

We do business in such a way that it creates value for society and the environment. As a result, we continue to push for flexible packaging that can be readily recycled and reused.

Thong Guan is constantly collaborating with its partners to develop new, innovative concepts that support environmental efforts for its clients in the food & beverage, industrial & packaging, transportation & logistics, waste & energy, retail & eCommerce, hygiene & medical, and consumer packaging industries.

Klarity Food Wrap: Food Never Looked So Good

Food Wrap Klarity Thong Guan

Do you know that food wrap has an important role in a buyers decision-making process? 

Shoppers will find any reasons to buy an item if they are attracted to it. 

Yes, there are many, but visual appearances are undeniably one of them. 

Research shows that 93% of consumers are impressed by the visual appearance of a product they intend to buy. (Think back of your latest Tesco, Coles, Fresh Choice, or Walmart purchasing experience). 

Visuals play an essential product-intrinsic sensory cue when setting people’s expectations regarding the likely taste and flavour of food and drink. 

After all, it is only human nature to inspect something before we put a value on it. 

Well, you know what they say about first impressions, right?

However, there is more to just visual appearances when it comes to plastic food packaging.

Food wrap plays an important part in keeping food fresh, safe and odourless before reaching the consumers’ homes. 

Foods that are fresh, safe and look appealing get bought off the shell faster.

Therefore, beyond colours and textures, the quality of the plastic food wrap plays an important role in marketing your products on the shelf too.

Well, we certainly will think twice about buying meat or fresh produce that are filled with water vapours in the packaging. Our imagination has already ruined its taste even before we have the chance to savour it. 

The higher the visibility of the food packaging, the more appealing the product becomes.  

 

But the Common Problem With Plastic Wrap Packing is Choice

However, packers and hypermarkets often face a common issue when it comes to wrapping food. 

Do you choose between high clarity plastic food wraps or tinted film?  

Since colours play an important role in internal sorting and consumer buying, having tinted film does help to boost the value and perception of the item. 

However, tinted films do not mean high transparency. 

High transparent films are not too appealing as they lack colour – affecting the aesthetics of the food item because of its rawness or shelf-life conditions. 

Wouldn’t it be nice if there is a way to combine both features? 

 

The Power Of Klarity: An Amazing Food Wrap That Makes Your Food Look So Good! 

With a combination of colour tinted films and high transparency, we have created a way to get the best of both worlds. 

Thong Guan has created an innovative plastic food wrap that aesthetically appeals to curious onlookers and is highly visible! Since it’s so transparent, it is excellent for your branding too! 

Unlike conventional blown films, Klarity is made through cast technology and has over 90% transparency—it’s so clear your food never looked this good. 

It comes in two coloured tints:

  • Green for fruits & vegetables produces 
  • Blue for meat & poultry products

Even production work will be easier too! 

With the high-gloss, blue and green-tinted food wraps, your team’s productivity will increase in discerning the wrap for the correct application. 

Klarity is made from PVC and the many benefits of it. 

Don’t worry about freshness. 

A Life Cycle Assessment carried out by LCE has shown how PVC cling films help reduce food waste and reduce plastics environmental effects. Besides its functional, technical, and ecological performance, PVC helps to extend food’s useful life. It helps minimise food waste and losses at retail and consumer levels. 

It comes with a good grip for your wrapping that will keep your food fresh and safe longer.

Here are reasons why Klarity is your choice plastic food wrap:

  • High gloss & clarity (>90% transparency) – designed through cast technology
  • Aesthetically pleasing & excellent for branding
  • Keeps your food safe & fresh – especially meats and greens
  • High permeability – Keeps foods fresh and 
  • No unsightly condensation that causes bacteria and microorganism growths
  • Tinted for fast identification & application
  • Easy dispensing for productivity
  • Excellent cling for secure wrapping
  • Transparent – you can see your branding right through to its paper core
  • Reduces consumption and waste of materials – efficient use of natural resources
  • Food grade compliance – FDA & EU Standards

What Makes Klarity a Different Class of Plastic Wrap Packaging?

So what makes us unique? 

  1. High-Clarity: It’s visually appealing! Klarity is first in the market for tinted food films with high clarity for branding & quality sensitivity (so clear you can even see right to the paper core)
  2. Enhancements: Aesthetic is one thing, but we can tweak your film to go beyond looks. Ask us how we can customise it to make it better for you. 
  3. Better Mechanical Properties: Unlike traditional blown film, we use cast technology that brings out its superior properties. With this, we can give you improved cling too, which helps you keep your foods safe, secured, intact and ready to be consumed by your users.

 

A Food Wrap That Is Eco-Friendly And Sustainable

Since Klarity is a PVC based cling film, it is 100% recyclable too! 90% of PVC is being recycled both internally and externally. How cool is that? 

A new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study also confirms that PVC cling films can preserve food and contribute to avoiding food waste. 

With this, users are also in line with the guides and priorities of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

You can play a part too to ensure plastic packaging can co-exist with a safe and green world- plus reach your sustainability goals too. 

 

Klarity: Food Never Looked So Good

With Klarity food wrap, you don’t have to choose between clarity or tint anymore. You can have the best of both worlds—and reach your sustainable goals too! 

Having high transparency and tinted food wrap films will benefit your customers and help speed up internal sortings at the same time. 

Need more clarity? It’s time to have a conversation at info@thongguan.com.

Food Wrap Klarity Thong Guan

Myths About Stretch Film: Thinner Equals Better?

Myths About Stretch film

The rising myths about stretch films and the misconceptions on choosing the right film tend to confuse many. As a result, the benefits of stretch films becomes rather vague. 

So let us look at some common myths about stretch film and what really matters to distributors and brand owners. 

Stretch-film is highly in demand. Markets have risen from 250 million pounds per year to 500 million pounds between 1985 and 1990. It then swelled to 1 billion pounds, from 1990 to 1995. 

Today, the film market is forecast to increase 1.4% yearly to 2.8 billion pounds – valued at USD4.1 billion – in 2024, and that is just in the US alone. 

Despite its growth, many are still trying to understand how stretch film works and the best ways to reduce packaging costs to gain more at the bottom line. 

Typically, these are some of the common myths about stretch film distributors and end-users are facing:

  • Thicker means stronger 
  • Thinner multilayered films are better
  • Cheap stretch films reduce costing and save you money 
  • Thickness defines quality
  • Hand-wrapping is cheaper than Machine wrapping

We covered an article on the 8 Myths About Stretch Films that everyone should know about to highlight these common misunderstandings. 

Though these are commonly debunked misconceptions, many still think thinner multilayered films “should be better.” 

More layers means better holding force and protection right? 

Wrong. Let’s uncover more below.


Uncovering Myths About Stretch Films: Is Thinner Better?

Whether thinner is better or not differs. 

It depends on the situation. 

Does the load need more revolutions of wrap or will thicker films help optimize your wraps? 

The truth is wrapping your product with thin multilayered film does not mean better protection for your goods. 

For optimal wrapping, you need to use the right film with the right wrapping method for your load. 

What about the number of layers within the stretch film itself? 

The stretch film market is constantly innovating. 

There is a shift towards multi-layer co-extruded film creations. These films are designed to further improve technical properties such as tear and puncture resistance levels.

But multi-layered films doesn’t mean nano films. They are micron thin and highly elastic to wrap objects and hold them in place on pallets.

The convergence of polymer science, machine technology, and application advancement has led to significant downgauging opportunities.

Thinner gauge films are amazing! They have the same benefits, do the job just as well, and even help save costs too. 


But What Is Nano Stretch Film? 

They are made from thin plastic layers of material spanning from a fraction of a nanometer to several micrometres of multilayered stretch films.

The principal advantage of nano stretch film is that it allows a pallet’s thickness to be reduced while retaining a strong holding force.

However, not ALL films are the same and there are still some myths about stretch films in the market. 

Here are three common myths and the truths behind it


1. Maximum stretch means maximum performance

Unfortunately, maximum stretch ratios do not equal minimum cost or maximum performance. Rather than an increased stretch level, its pallet stability ensures the most cost-effective pallet. 


2. The more layers, the better

Thin multi-layer stretch films are not always superior to other film types. However, they perform well if you produce them properly (with the right materials, production, and process).

With the right process, the production process is always smooth and the pallet loads are always steady. The key to controlling costs is consistency.


3. It is always better to use thin films

Using thin films is great, but it does not always ensure pallet stability. A stable load on a pallet requires the same weight as thin and thick films.

Because thicker film requires fewer wraps, pallets require fewer wrappings. The thicker the film, the lesser the risk of damage. However, this requires extra film consumption and more production time too.


This is why Thong Guan emphasises quality over layers. 

We have invested heavily in stretch films research, innovation and a top-notch testing lab to help you achieve optimum wrapping.  


Here are Some Features of Our Multilayered Stretch Film 

  • Thin but tough: Nano stretch film is thin but tougher at the same time. It has an excellent holding and containment force for pallet load stability.
  • Adaptable. It can be easily adapted to match wrapping machines.
  • Since you use less stretch film, you can reduce your cost per load.
  • Excellent durability against puncture and tearing the perforation
  • Since its thin, less shelf space needed
  • Excellent holding force (when correct wrappers’ settings).
  • Eco-friendly: Consumes less film 


Myths About Stretch Film Busted: What Are The Benefits Of Multilayered Film To Users? 

  • Businesses throughout the value chain can benefit from this new leap in technology. Multilayered technologies can have an additional productivity boost and offer greater flexibility.
  • Brand owners benefit from source reduction in packaging materials. Operations are more productive. More packaging impressions are produced per roll of film. 
  • Retailers experience better consumer attention with attractive high-clarity packaging.

Our Nano Series has helped businesses save effort and gain more speed on their packaging. You get better protection due to greater holding force and less downtime due to consistency during wrapping. These are “invisible” costs that you now don’t have to worry about. 

We know it would greatly help distributors, manufacturers, and logistics businesses with everyday wrapping processes so precious goods are safe, secure, and protected. 

While there are many thin-layered stretch films available, we strive to formulate the best materials that can enhance elongation, propagation, and puncture properties to benefit our customers. 

Garbage in, garbage out – cheap material equals cheap quality, resulting in damages, breaks, and additional costs. 

With good quality multilayered films, you will enjoy performance, consistency, and the advantages of using thin film with the benefits thick films give. 


Do More With Less: Breaking Myths About Stretch Films

The desire to do more with less is now a possibility. 

With flexible stretch films with multiplayer properties, thicker does not necessarily mean stronger anymore. 

Films can now be made thinner yet tougher to keep your loads safe.

Do you still believe that all thinner multilayered films are better?

Then, it’s time for a chat.

Let us show you, with data, how nano films can be superior for your load containment needs.

Contact us at info@thongguan.com for more info or to enquire more today.

What are the Differences Between Shrink Wrapping vs. Vacuum Sealing?

shrink film on water bottles

shrink film on water bottles

Shrink wrap (also known as stretch film, shrink seal or stretch wrap) is a versatile polymer material used for the packaging of finished goods.

Vacuum seal, on the other hand, is a method of packaging that removes air from the package before sealing. Both shrink wrap and vacuum packaging are popular packaging techniques in the plastic industry.

However, shrink bags and vacuum pouches should not be confused as they have a similar appearance.

In this post, we are pleased to list the differences and the similarities between shrink wrapping and vacuum packaging.

 

Shrink Wrap vs Vacuum Seal: What are the Differences?

It is important to know the differences between shrink wrap and vacuum sealing. Here, we outline three notable differences. They are:

 

1. Absence of oxygen

This is one of the most obvious differences between these two types of packaging. Vacuum packaging uses an air nozzle to remove all or the majority of air or oxygen from a package before creating a tight seal.

The absence of oxygen is needed to naturally preserve consumable products and increase the shelf life of food products.

On the other hand, shrink wrapping requires heating the wrapping to create a tight seal which eventually traps air and oxygen inside it.

The conformed look of the shrink seal appears to be absent of oxygen, which isn’t correct. However, the package is not completely sealed from external elements.

This is because small vent holes are created within the shrink wrap to allow air to escape the package.

 

2. The kind of machinery used

Both shrink wrapping and vacuum sealing use heat sealing. However, the machinery used to carry out this process during production is entirely different.

For shrink wrapping, the machine used helps to heat the entire package to create the seal. Contrarily, only the sealed part requires heat for vacuum sealing.

Both shrink wrapping and vacuum sealing machines are not freely substitutable.

 

3. Thickness of materials

Stretch wrap and vacuum sealing use flexible packaging to enclose the packaged product. In vacuum packaging, the flexible packaging rolls or bags are much thicker than those used in shrink packaging.

Vacuum bags are typically four times thicker than most materials used for shrink packaging.

 

Shrink Wrap vs Vacuum Seal: What are the Similarities?

After learning the differences between shrink wrapping and vacuum packaging, it is important to also note the similarities between these two types of packaging.

The appearance of vacuum seal and shrink wraps are quite similar, which can lead to the misconception that they are the same. Check out these four similarities.

 

a. Transparent packaging

You are probably familiar with the glossy shrink films used to package bottles. Vacuum pouches and shrink bags use clear bags or plastic polymer film during packaging.

This allows the consumer to see the product inside the packaging. Although there are exceptions, the majority of heat shrink and vacuum packaged products use a clear film.

 

b. Used for food packaging

Both vacuum packaging and stretch film are often used for packaging foods and consumable items.

 

c. Heat sealing

Both types of packaging use heat sealing to enclose the product within the packaging. The open ends of the packages are sealed after inserting the product.

When heat is applied, both packaging shrinks tightly over whatever it is covering.

 

d. Conformed finish

In both types of packaging, an exterior film is used to conform to the shape of the product being packaged.

 

Final Thoughts

This post explains the similarities and differences between shrink wrapping and vacuum sealing.

Don’t let the similarities confuse you, both shrink wrapping and vacuum packaging are two different types of packaging handled by different pallet wrapping machines.

Ultimately, the primary difference between vacuum packaging and shrink wrapping is that vacuum pouches are perfect for meats, vegetables, and other perishable food items while shrink wrapping is ideal for water bottles, DVDs, and other non-food items.