Application of heat shrink packaging technology

The heat shrinkability of the film was applied as early as 1936. Initially, rubber films were used to shrink the packaging of perishable foods. Nowadays, heat shrink technology has been developed to almost all kinds of goods packed with plastic shrink film. In addition, shrink packaging is also used to make shrink labels and shrink caps so that containers that are not easily printed or have a complex shape can be labeled. Recently, new and updated application areas have been developed.

The heat shrinkability of the film was applied as early as 1936. Initially, rubber films were used to shrink the packaging of perishable foods. Nowadays, heat shrink technology has been developed to almost all kinds of goods packed with plastic shrink film. In addition, shrink packaging is also used to make shrink labels and shrink caps so that containers that are not easily printed or have a complex shape can be labeled. Recently, new and updated application areas have been developed.

Production techniques and characteristics Shrink film production usually uses extrusion blow molding or extrusion casting methods to produce thick films, then longitudinal and transverse stretching at a high elastic temperature above the softening temperature and below the melting temperature, or only In one of these orientations, the orientation is stretched and not stretched in the other direction. The former is called a biaxial stretch shrink film, and the latter is called a unidirectional shrink film. In use, a reliable shrinkage force wraps the packaged product at or near the stretching temperature.

Market development and typical application of heat-shrinkable films are mainly made of various thermoplastic films. Initially, PVC shrink film was the main product. With the continuous development of market demand, PVC shrink film gradually decreased, and various kinds of PE, PP, PET, PVDC, POF and other multi-layer co-extrusion heat shrinkable films developed rapidly and became mainstream in the market. At present, there are nearly 20 plastic film packaging committees of the China Packaging Federation in China, and the output is close to 80,000 tons. According to experts' forecasts, the domestic heat shrinkable film market will grow at a rate of more than 20% in the next five years. The food industry is the largest market for shrink packaging. Heat-shrinkable films are widely used in packaging of various fast foods, lactic acid foods, beverages, snack foods, beer cans, various kinds of alcoholic beverages, agricultural and sideline products, dry foods, and local specialties.

Applications in the non-food sector are also increasing, such as labels and caps, closures, fibers and clothing, aerosol products, sporting goods, electrical products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, grease, detergents, stationery, toys, office supplies, kitchen supplies , daily necessities, sundries, construction materials, etc.