Stretch film packaging is essential for food preservation, cargo transport, and agriculture. BestY Pack has specialized in stretch film for 12 years, shipping over 5,000 tons annually to more than 30 countries. We understand how material needs vary by application. Choosing different materials can play various roles in the tightness, sealing, and safety of stretch film packaging. Hot-selling stretch films include PE and PVC materials.
Next, we will compare PE and PVC stretch films. We will look at material, performance, price, and applications. This will help you choose the right film for your needs.
What is PE stretch film?
PE stretch film is made from polyethylene, a flexible and budget-friendly plastic. It’s well known for its strong packaging and ability to resist temperature changes. It wraps tightly around the goods and holds its grip for a long time. In actual use, the bundling force remains strong for more than 3 months.
This stretch film is widely used for shipping and storing large goods, including scrap furniture and pallet packaging.
What is PVC stretch film?
PVC stretch film is made from polyvinyl chloride. This film is stiffer than PE film, but plasticizers can make it pliable. PVC stretch film has high tensile strength, yet it lacks the flexibility of PE stretch film.
This stretch film is great for everyday and delicate packaging. It is commonly used in supermarkets for fresh produce and deli items. Its high transparency lets customers clearly see the products.
PE Stretch Film vs. PVC Stretch Film: Comprehensive Comparison
Differences Between PE and PVC Stretch Film Materials
PE stretch film: PE stretch film is made of polyethylene. Polyethylene has three main types: low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). PE has a pure carbon-hydrogen structure. It is non-toxic and odorless. When burned, it produces only water and carbon dioxide. Plus, it’s easier to recycle.
PVC Stretch Film: PVC stretch film is made of polyvinyl chloride. The production process formula can be adjusted to create films with exclusive properties. Ordinary PVC contains DEHP and other plasticizers (up to 40%). The EU REACH regulation has restricted its food contact applications. Incineration produces HCl and dioxins. When burned, it releases toxic gases that are harmful to humans and the environment.
Performance Differences
Optical properties:
PE stretch film: Transparent and bright, it clearly shows the product status. It is convenient for checking the product and distinguishing the package. PE stretch film can be semi-transparent (depending on the type of PE) and withstands 6 months outdoors without yellowing or becoming brittle—commonly used by farmers as silage wrap.
PVC stretch film: relatively higher transparency, clearer, and more transparent than PE. More suitable for professional scenes that need to display products, such as retail, cultural, and creative products, or display window glass. PVC material has poor UV resistance. When encountering UV rays, PVC’s performance will decline.
Barrier performance:
PE stretch film: PE is a non-polar resin, OTR 50~70 (cm³/m²/24hr/atm). The barrier property is relatively not as strong as PVC. It works well in places with low permeability needs. This includes dry storage, homes, logistics, and transportation.
PVC stretch film: PVC belongs to the polar resin; the barrier is extremely strong. It effectively locks in moisture and oxygen, keeping fresh meat moist with minimal drip and bright red color, preventing oxidation and spoilage. It is more suitable for use as food packaging, such as food cling film and fresh cling film.
Mechanical properties:
PE stretch film: Strong and durable, its core advantages are puncture resistance and strong stretch. It can wrap palletized goods with sharp edges. It stretches smoothly without puncturing—even sharp-edged goods won’t poke through. Ideal for bundling furniture and hardware in logistics.
PVC stretch film: hard texture, poor stretchability, and easy to become brittle at low temperatures. The advantage is strong tear resistance, making it difficult to tear after molding.
Thermal properties:
PE stretch film: PE material stays stable in high heat. Its low melting point is usually between 112 and 135℃. At -20℃, it still remains flexible, ensuring no breakage during winter transport in northern regions. It is not easy to break. Strong heat shrinkage and stretching can shrink tightly wrapped products when heated to prevent shifting.
PVC stretch film: PVC stretch film has a narrower usable temperature range than PE. However, the melting point of PVC is lower, usually 78–108℃. Therefore, it is not suitable for use in higher temperature environments. PVC can adapt to more temperature scenarios.
Chemical performance:
PE stretch film: it is more stable and less likely to melt under high temperatures. Composed of only carbon and hydrogen, it is relatively more eco-friendly. It is not easy to produce chemical toxins. Corrosion resistance is also stronger. In transportation, it can better protect the goods from other materials damage and corrosion.
PVC stretch film: not suitable for working in too high a temperature. It will release toxic substances when it encounters high temperatures. The hydrogen chloride gas released is harmful to the human body and poses a threat to the environment. Chemical stability is relatively poor.
Other properties:
PVC stretch film is also more self-adhesive than PE stretch film. Self-adhesive, winding 2-3 circles can be fixed; unpacking is also easy to tear without leaving glue marks. It can fix the goods firmly in transportation.
Price:
Our stretch film is priced according to material and customized quantity. We can provide you with customized production services; you need to send us an inquiry. Explain your film application needs in detail, and we will respond to you quickly.
PE stretch film is more versatile and relatively cost-effective. It is more cost-effective for mass production applications.
Applications
PE stretch film and PVC stretch film are different in nature and have slightly different application scenarios. You need to judge which stretch film is suitable for you according to your needs.
PE stretch film: with stronger toughness, it can wrap the appearance and prevent shifting. PE stretch film is often used for pallet packaging, shipping, and storing large items. It is also used in agriculture and animal husbandry to store dry feed, such as silage film.
PVC stretch film: low melting point, not suitable for high-temperature packaging. However, it can be used in food cling film, such as raw meat cling film, fresh fruit and vegetable cling film, and pharmaceutical packaging. This cling film is gradually being replaced by safer and non-toxic packaging. PVC film is highly transparent, making it great for protective packaging at exhibitions. For instance, it works well as the outer layer of an exhibition stand.
How do I choose between PE and PVC stretch film?
The choice between PE and PVC films depends on your usage requirements.
If you need to use it at a higher temperature, then choose PE stretch film.
If your goods are irregularly shaped, then choose PE stretch film.
If you want to maintain freshness for a long time, go with PVC. If you need weather resistance, environmental benefits, and lower costs, choose PE. We can provide samples for you to compare. We can send you samples for comparison, and we provide you with first-class PVC films.
Each film has its own characteristics; the use of the right film can enhance the level of your packaging and product grade. Not sure which film to use? Contact us for expert advice, and we’ll provide you with a customized solution to meet your packaging needs.
Contact BestY Pack for high-quality stretch films.
BestY Pack specializes in the research and development of printing films, focusing on market demand and insisting on environmental protection research and development. With the emphasis on environmental protection, PE printed stretch film will become a hot model in the future. The BestY Pack team focuses on the research and development of stretch film production, ready to customize the right solution for customers. We are always ready to provide you with customized services. To buy, please send an inquiry. We will reply to you for the first time and provide you with satisfactory products.
Hello, customers
My name is Jack Yu. I am the Business Manager at BestY Pack Plastic Products. My areas of expertise include film packaging, cold chain transportation packaging, and shrink products. Additionally, our factory manufactures protective gloves, and I can provide you with professional solutions to help you increase your market share and enhance consumer trust.
Email: ﾠjackyu@bestypack.com
Tel: +86 18368319351