What is POF shrink film?
POF shrink film is a top-quality polyolefin film. It shrinks when heated, fitting tightly to product surfaces. POF shrink film has over 92% transparency and top-notch puncture resistance. Fortune 500 brands like Walmart and Costco widely use it for food and retail packaging.
- Raw Material: Polyolefin (Polyolefin) meets FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 food contact standards. It is also certified as non-toxic by SGS.
- Application Process:Use a professional heat gun set between 120–180°C. You can also use a continuous shrink tunnel with a speed range of 0–30 m/min. The film achieves a shrinkage rate of 70–80%, ensuring a wrinkle-free, tight fit.
- Common Applications:
- Food items (e.g., pizza, candy).
- Gift baskets and toys.
- Books and stationery.
How does POF shrink film function?
POF means polyolefin. It’s a type of hydrocarbon made of hydrogen and carbon atoms. These compounds mainly come from natural gas and petroleum.
- 1. Stretch Orientation: During production, the film undergoes bidirectional stretching at specific temperatures, elongating molecular chains along the stretch direction. Upon reheating, it shrinks to tightly wrap around the object’s surface.
- 2. Cooling Setting: The film is quickly cooled. This “freezes” the molecules in place, keeping the stretched state for a long time.
- 3. Heat Recovery: When heated with a heat gun, the molecules return to their original state. This creates a shrinking force that makes the film stick tightly to the item’s surface. It helps protect against scratches and abrasions.
Types of Shrink Film and Their Applications
Products can get damaged during sales and transport. So, shrink packaging is needed for protection. Shrink film is made from three types of materials. Each type has unique properties and uses. This helps protect different products.
Polyolefin (POF) Shrink Film: Made from polyolefin materials, it is durable and versatile. POF possesses numerous characteristics and is FDA-approved for food safety. It has high tensile strength and great transparency. This allows for the creation of longer, thinner packaging films. POF shrink film thickness range: 35–150 GAUGE (9–38 ΜM), with 60/75/100 GAUGE being the global mainstream specifications (accounting for 78% market share, source: FLEXPACK Report 2024). Its versatile applications include pre-perforation to ensure a smooth, bubble-free packaging surface.
POF shrink film is recyclable and regranulable; waste film can be sold to recycling stations for monetary value. It is non-toxic and odorless. Its appealing look and great clarity make it perfect for packaging food, drinks, sweets, and toys. It is the optimal choice for items where packaging aesthetics are prioritized.
Polyethylene (PE) Shrink Film: PE is a part of POF. This makes PE shrink film flexible and available in various forms. It is softer and encompasses various packaging film types. Common varieties include three main categories:
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
- Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
- Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE)
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Shrink Film: Once the most popular shrink packaging, PVC is now less common. This change is due to harmful substances created during its production and burning. Its lightweight and affordable design, along with the durability of rigid PVC, makes it great for construction and household items. It is applicable for packaging rigid or flexible structures and plays a significant role in the medical, electronics, and automotive industries.
Properties of POF Shrink Film
POF shrink film is the preferred packaging material due to its outstanding characteristics.
- Recyclable: The material is 100% recyclable, supporting sustainable development.
- High Sealing Integrity: Effectively blocks external air.
- Tear Resistance: Exceptional strength and toughness resist tearing.
- Anti-Fog: Prevents fog formation, ensuring clear visibility of contents.
- High clarity and gloss: An aesthetically pleasing appearance enhances product appeal.
- FDA Food-Grade Certification: Suitable for the food and beverage industries.
- High Tensile Strength: Effectively resists external stretching forces.
- Stability: Unaffected by environmental factors, maintaining consistent performance.
- Cost-effective: Low production costs, economical, and affordable.
Applications of POF Shrink Film
- Pharmaceutical industry: Packaging medicines, sealing drugs to prevent leakage or tampering.
- Electronics industry: Packaging electronic components and cables.
- Hardware industry: Protecting metal and other products.
- Gaming and sports industry: Protecting toys and sporting goods.
- Food industry: Protecting snacks, beverages, fruits, and vegetables.
- Marine Industry: Provides cold protection for vessels.
How do you determine the required thickness and dimensions?
Step 1: Select thickness based on product weight and shape. Thickness determines protective strength and toughness.
- 60 Gauge / 15 Microns: Suitable for lightweight, small-volume products like stationery, small accessories, and food pouches.
- 75 Gauge / 19 microns: Universal thickness for medium-sized products or goods, such as sports equipment packaging.
- 100 Gauge / 25 microns: Suitable for slightly larger items, such as electronic product packaging.
Step 2: Understand measurement unit conversions when selecting thickness. Below is the conversion table:
Thickness Conversion Table:
| Unit | Equivalent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Gauge | 0.01 mil | 1 gauge = 1/100 mil |
| 1 Gauge | 0.254 microns (μm) | Approximate conversion |
| 100 Gauge | 1 mil | Standard industry equivalence |
| 100 Gauge | 25.4 microns (μm) | Exact conversion |
| 1 Mil | 0.001 inch | One-thousandth of an inch |
| 1 Mil | 25.4 microns (μm) | Exact conversion |
Different shrink films also have different specifications. The following examples are provided for your reference:
PVC Shrink Film: 75, 100 gauge.
POF Shrink Film: 60, 75, 100 gauge.
PE Shrink Film: 4–12 mil.
BestY Pack Manufacturer
We are China’s top BestY Pack film manufacturer. We focus on high-quality production and supply premium, fully featured POF shrink film worldwide. We pursue excellence in product manufacturing, quality inspection, logistics, and after-sales service. Whatever your needs, we can meet them—we look forward to partnering with you!
FAQ:
Is POF shrink film recyclable?
POF shrink film is 100% recyclable, made from polyolefin materials. Our production standards comply with regulations. If it is contaminated with other substances, it needs thorough cleaning before recycling. This step ensures sustainability. Local recycling standards may vary slightly; please check your local policies before disposal.
Why choose Bestyback to meet your needs?
BestY Pack is China’s premier POF shrink film manufacturer with leading annual sales. Our films have ISO 9001 certification and FDA food-grade approval. They meet all your packaging needs perfectly. Suitable for both daily use and industrial applications, they pose no harm to human health. We offer customized solutions tailored to your requirements—welcome to partner with us!
What are the load capacities for 60, 80, and 100-gauge films?
60 gauge: This polyolefin roll measures 1,200 meters in length and is suitable for packaging various lightweight food items. Maximum load capacity: 725 kilograms.
80 gauge: Designed for packaging medium-weight items. Maximum load capacity: 1,100 kilograms.
100 gauge: Ideal for heavy-duty packaging. Maximum load capacity: approximately 50–100 kilograms.
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