Wrapping a pallet correctly isn’t just about securing your goods, it’s also a crucial step in managing costs, ensuring safety, and optimising supply chain operations. Stretch hoods offer an advanced solution that integrates protection, stability, cost efficiency, and adaptability into a single packaging method.
Let’s take a detailed look at why stretch hoods are a superior choice for pallet wrapping.
Comprehensive Protection
Stretch hoods provide robust protection by covering all five sides of the pallet—top and sides—creating a sealed, self-contained environment. This enclosure safeguards goods against dust, dirt, moisture, and even harmful UV rays, which can damage light-sensitive products. The protective barrier also ensures that goods remain secure and uncontaminated during storage or transportation.
Load Stability
An unstable pallet is not just a logistical headache; it can lead to significant safety risks and product loss. Much of this risk arises from the fact that loads are unstable or fragile, the result of liquids shifting and altering the centre of gravity or contents settling, creating uneven pressure points.
The safest solution is to enforce load stability by binding the contents together under elastic tension. Stretch hood pallet wrapping pulls the load together, creating and maintaining stability during handling, transportation, and storage.
Cost Efficiency
Stretch hoods can significantly lower packaging costs. Traditional shrink films often require additional layers to stabilise loads, resulting in higher material costs and increased waste. Stretch hoods, on the other hand, use less material while providing superior load security, potentially cutting packaging expenses by up to 40%.
Moreover, they do not rely on heat for application, which eliminates the energy costs associated with shrink-wrapping methods. This not only reduces expenses but also contributes to a more sustainable packaging approach.
Adaptability To Logistical Challenges
Awkward shapes, mixed loads, uneven boxes—these are all familiar challenges in the world of logistics. While companies invest in management software to optimise load alignment, there will always be pallets that don’t fit the mould.
Stretch hoods for pallets offer a highly effective solution to these challenges. The width of the stretch hood film is specifically determined by the pallet footprint, ensuring a precise and stable fit at the base. Meanwhile, the height of the film can be adjusted to accommodate varying load heights, allowing for flexibility when dealing with uneven or complex loads.
This adaptability is a key advantage of stretch hoods. Their elastic polyethylene material provides a snug, secure fit over the entire pallet, delivering the same consistent level of five-sided protection, regardless of the height or shape of the load. Whether dealing with irregular items, mixed loads, or challenging configurations, stretch hoods ensure that every pallet is protected, stabilised, and ready for transport.
Reduces Risk
Punctures and tears are commonplace in distribution and storage, and can be a risk to goods and personnel. This can be caused by the products themselves, which may have rough or sharp edges, or by external bumps or scrapes. Once punctured or ripped, traditional film continues to tear, potentially leading to the collapse of the load.
Stretch hoods for pallets are made from robust, elastic polyethylene. This combines excellent durability with excellent puncture resistance. As an additional bonus, as the material doesn’t require heat for application, there is a noticeable reduction regarding the risk of fire hazards.
Request A Quote Today
The solution to pallet wrapping challenges is simple: stretch hoods. By combining superior protection, enhanced stability, cost savings, and versatility, stretch hoods are a valuable addition to any supply chain.
To learn how stretch hoods for pallets can enhance your operations, request a quote from the team at Cliffe Packaging today!
