The Main Differences Between PVC, Polyethylene, and Polyolefin

When it comes to plastic wrap, not all products are the same. While all types of plastic film are designed to preserve and protect products, they do so in different ways and with unique benefits.

In this article, US Packaging & Wrapping answers all your questions about plastic wrap packaging and the differences between PVC, polyethylene, and polyolefin.

Here, you’ll learn about the different types of plastic wraps and which packaging projects best suit each product type.

What are the Different Types of Shrink Wraps? 

There are various materials people call shrink wrap. The material used to wrap pallets of products or furniture during moving is often called pallet shrink wrap. There is also heat shrink wrap for wrapping products. View our shrink wrap vs. stretch wrap page for detailed info about each product. For quick identification, heat is used to shrink heat shrink wrap conforming the material to the product being wrapped, and stretch film is pulled and stretched tightly around skids of products to hold them in place.

PVC heat shrink wrapping is lightweight and inexpensive; however, it isn’t the most sustainable option and can produce potentially harmful chemicals during the heat shrinking process. It is essential for proper ventilation when shrink-wrapping with a PVC material.

Polyolefin is a strong, versatile form of shrink wrap. It typically comes at a higher price point but provides a better packaging experience with several available options, which include cross-linked, anti-fog, and low-temperature shrink wrap. Best of all, polyolefin is FDA-approved for direct food contact.

The third type of shrink wrap is polyethylene – a type of film that is perfect for larger and heavier items due to its strength and durability. For heat shrink packaging, PVC and polyolefin have a centerfold crease lengthways down the roll, and polyethylene bundling film comes off the roll flat and is wrapped around a case of bottles or cans. The ends are left open forming round holes called bullseyes.

Which Material is Best for Shrink Wrap? 
Polyolefin has become the preferred type of material for shrink wrap in recent years due to its strength, texture, strong seals, stable storage, and flexibility in uses from industrial to consumable products. This makes it the ideal form of wrapping for retail and edible packaging.

However, PVC is very popular for use around bottle caps as a safety seal, and polyethylene is used for drink packaging everywhere and marine and industrial wrap – making each material suitable for a range of projects.

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What Is the Difference Between Shrink Wrap and Stretch Wrap?

The main difference between shrink wrap and stretch wrap is heat application. Stretch wrap stretches around loads of products when pulled tight. Heat shrink wrap uses heat to shrink and conform to a product. 

While shrink and stretch wrap are designed to provide a protective packaging barrier, shrink wrap is most commonly used as primary product packaging. The shrink wrap can protect from moisture and contamination. It also protects individual items from scratches, dust, dirt, and more. Shrink wrap is also used as a tamper-evident seal; if there are any signs of foul play, don't hesitate to toss it away.

Stretch wrap is typically used as secondary packaging to bind together palletized shipments of products. The film stretches around boxes or loose products to unitize and protect shipments against damage from impact or movement during transit and more.

For more information on stretch wrapping, check out our guide!

Alternatively, browse our range of stretch wrap products to find your perfect packaging solution.

What Is the Difference Between Plastic Wraps and Shrink Wraps? 

Plastic wrap and shrink wrap can be one and the same since 'plastic wraps' is a broad term. Many think of 'saran wrap' when thinking of plastic wrap. They are both also commonly used in the preservation of food products. However, there is a difference in how the two packaging wraps are applied to products.

Plastic wrap – also known as Saran wrap – is a lower-durability type of wrapping that is primarily used for products that require a thin layer of protection from the elements. It is manually wrapped around items to offer a protective barrier but is not air-tight.

Shrink wrap fully covers products before heat is applied with a seal -. It secures individual goods from tampering and protects items from external elements that may degrade product quality.

What is the Difference Between PVC and Polyolefin? 

PVC and polyolefin are both types of plastic that are commonly used as a clear film in packaging and wrapping projects.

PVC represents a more cost-effective option than polyolefin but is less resistant to wear and tear. It is also less effective at protecting against changing temperatures – meaning it is not often used for packaging consumables.

Polyolefin is a more durable material that is recommended for packaging anything from hardware to baked goods, offering versatility other shrink films do not have. Crosslinked or irradiated polyolefin shrink film also run much better on fully automatic machines than PVC materials. 

What is the Difference Between Polyolefin and Polypropylene? 

Polyolefin does not have the strength of polypropylene. Polypropylene is often thicker and capable of wrapping or holding much heavier item

Polypropylene is part of the polyolefin family, meaning that it is made up of repeating units of propylene. Its ability to withstand higher temperatures makes polypropylene stand out among other polyolefins.

What is PVC Shrink Wrap? 

PVC shrink wrap is a clear or colored film applied to products before having heat applied; for retail or commercial packaging PVC is often found centerfold on a roll or in the form of bags. 

PVC is inexpensive compared with alternative films and was one of the most commonly used forms of shrink film until the introduction of polyolefin plastics.

While PVC is a cost-effective alternative to polyolefin, its popularity has decreased. Where PVC was previously used for packaging a wide variety of products, it is now commonly used as shrink neck banding around bottles and containers.

 

What is PVC Wrap Used For? 

PVC wrap is commonly used for low-cost packaging options or entry-level shrink packaging. However, as a safety seal, PVC neck banding is functional, affordable, and utilized worldwide.

The material is often used to package various smaller products such as DVDs, CDs, and other electronics to protect them from wear and tear, scratches and scuffs, and dust on store shelves. Any PVC wraps for direct food contact are often used as a meat overwrap with a meat wrapping machine for short-term packaging. This material is extruded to be made food safe.

Is PVC Shrink Wrap Food-Safe? 

Centerfold PVC wrap is not safe for direct contact with food and therefore is not commonly used in food packaging. Overwrap used to package meat and produce is made from PVC, but has many different properties than retail PVC shrink wrap. 

This is because the plastic contains phthalates – a group of chemicals used to make packaging more durable but that can be potentially toxic to food.

While PVC packaging may occasionally be used as a secondary food packaging material – for example, providing an extra layer of protection around a box containing food products – alternatives such as polyolefin shrink wrap provides a direct food-safe option.

How Do You Use PVC Heat Shrink Wrap? 

Using centerfold PVC heat shrink wrap is a simple process that involves making a single seal to form a pouch to insert products.

Once the product is placed within the heat shrink wrap, the ends must be sealed – typically using an L-bar sealer – to seal both open ends at once.

Heat is then applied to the shrink wrap layer – using either a shrink tunnel (for high-volume projects) or a heat gun – to shrink the material until it fits perfectly around its contents to provide compact yet effective protection.

If the banding is the correct size for PVC neckbanding, it can be easily slid over the top of the container and heat applied to shrink and conform to the lid.

How to use PVC meat overwrap is slightly more difficult. For that, a video may best explain.

What Is Non-PVC Saran Wrap Made From? 

Non-PVC food wrap is usually made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE), which has fewer phthalates that are harmful to food. This means food can be preserved for longer with less exposure to plastic toxins.

Find out more about different types of plastic wrap in our helpful guide!

What is Polyolefin Shrink Film? 

Polyolefin shrink film is a plastic wrap used to protect a range of products that reduces in size when heat is applied to it, shrinking to form a protective layer around its contents.

Polyolefin is a highly versatile material, and its storage stability, seal strength, and FDA approval make it popular across many industries.

 

What is a Polyolefin Bag? 

Polyolefin bags are plastic bags that are approved for direct contact with food, making them perfect for use as a secure package solution on supermarket shelves.

They are usually manufactured as clear plastic bags, sealed on three sides. Products are inserted, sealed, and heat is applied to them.

Does Polyolefin Contain BPA? 

BPA stands for ‘bisphenol A’ – a chemical used in some plastics that is toxic and can cause long-term health complications.

Fortunately, polyolefin is BPA-free, one of the safest types of plastic for food products, and more.

Is Polyolefin Strong? 

Polyolefin has impressive tensile strength and puncture resistance. Though not as heavy-duty as polyethylene or polypropylene.

This significant strength is a result of the chemical structure of the plastic. Polyolefin can contain cross-linked layers of polymers improving the seal strength and overall material strength.

What is the Disadvantage of Polyolefins? 

While polyolefins provide plenty of benefits – namely in strength and durability as a packaging solution – there are also some challenges posed by using the plastic.

Polyolefins have a relatively low melting point and are heat-responsive – as is necessary for a shrink wrap product. However, this makes them ineffective at extremely high temperatures.

They are also prone to light degradation, making them ineffective for products that will be stored in direct sunlight for long periods, such as pallets of compost or fertilizer. Ultimately, polyolefin cannot be used with extremely heavy products due to the available thicknesses and overall puncture resistance. So it does have weight limitations and is not recommended for products over 40-50 lbs.  

Is Polyolefin Hazardous? 

Compared with alternative plastic wraps, one of the main benefits of polyolefin is its safety and hygiene credentials.

There are no chemicals within polyolefin that are harmful, and therefore, the plastic material makes the perfect shrink wrap solution for storing perishable goods like food.

US Packaging & Wrapping is a leading expert in packaging solutions, including a range of heat shrink wrap and compatible shrink wrap machines.

For more information on the different types of plastic wrap solutions and their unique benefits, chat with our expert packaging team now.