If you work in shipping and logistics, you know the importance of secure packaging. But when it comes to pallet wrap, even small improvements can lead to big gains in stability and speed.
Whether you’re reevaluating your current materials or exploring new options to optimize your process, fine-tuning how you wrap pallets can make a noticeable difference across your operation.
In this article, we’ll cover:
With these tips, you’ll be better equipped to choose the right materials and equipment for a streamlined, scalable process.
If you ship or store grouped items on a pallet, pallet wrapping is a standard part of your business. Done right, it serves four key functions that improve both protection and efficiency:
Even short-distance shipments come with risks. Boxes can shift or fall, leading to breakage, or rub against each other, damaging packaging. That’s not only a problem for fragile items—it can also result in scuffed or crushed boxes that diminish product appeal.
Pallet wrap keeps everything tightly bound together, helping to protect your products and keep them looking their best. It works alongside interior packaging materials like void fill and product wrap to provide complete protection.
Stable loads are easier and safer to handle, whether you’re moving them within your warehouse or transporting them to another location. Proper pallet wrapping minimizes shifting and tipping, reducing the risk of product loss and injuries to workers using forklifts or pallet jacks.
Before pallet wrap, boxes were moved one by one, a time-consuming and labor-heavy process. Wrapping lets you move grouped items quickly and securely, helping you get more done with less manpower. It also reduces the chances of having to rework loads due to damage or instability.
Wrapped pallets are more difficult to tamper with, making them a smart choice for high-value or sensitive goods like beverages, food, and pharmaceuticals. The extra layer of security helps deter theft and provides peace of mind during storage and shipping.
Choosing the right pallet wrap is a key part of improving load security and efficiency Most operations rely on one of two materials: plastic or paper. Here’s a closer look at both.
Plastic wrap (similar to kitchen cling film) has long been the go-to option. It’s easy to find and comes in a wide range of price points. But many businesses stick with it simply because it’s familiar, not because it’s the most effective or sustainable choice.
Cons of Plastic Wrap:
Paper-based pallet wrap is gaining traction as a more sustainable and sufficient option. HexcelStretch™, for example, is designed to improve load security and efficiency, all while delivering environmental benefits.
With improved load stability and less material needed per pallet, paper-based wraps like HexcelStretch not only reduce waste and labor but also support sustainability goals and lower total costs over time.
Your pallet wrapping process depends on your operation’s volume. Here are the three main approaches:
Regardless of your approach, follow these best practices for wrapping a secure pallet:
If you’re used to plastic-based pallet wrap, you know it often takes multiple overlapping layers to achieve load stability.
HexcelStretch works seamlessly with custom automated pallet wrapping systems, available in three sizes to fit your volume and product dimensions. It’s a smart fit for high-volume operations in industries like:
If you’re looking for a more sustainable way to wrap pallets, HexcelStretch could be the right fit for your operation. Whether you’re ready to upgrade your current process or just exploring alternatives to plastic pallet wrap, we’re here to help. Contact us to learn more.