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thomas.de.meester@eupc.org
About Plastic Films

What ArePlastic Films?

Plastic films are thin layers of polymer material — typically made from polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) or other advanced resins — that combine light weight, strength, and versatility. They play a vital role in protecting products, preserving resources, and enabling efficient logistics across Europe’s economy.

From food packaging to construction membranes and pallet wrapping, plastic films help make modern life safer, cleaner and more efficient — often with a lower environmental footprint than alternative materials.

Stretch Film illustration

Stretch Film

Film that is used to wrap around pallet of goods tightly creating a constrictive force around the load. The pallet wrapping can be applied manually or with machines.

Shrink Hood illustration

Shrink Hood

A shrinkable plastic hood which is pulled over the pallet. An external source of heat is applied to the covered pallet causing the hood to shrink and compress the load unit.

Stretch Hood illustration

Stretch Hood

A stretchable plastic hood which is applied mechanically by unwinding and stretching a flat tubing, pulling it down over the pallet load and releasing it to snap back on the load.

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Why PlasticFilms Matter

Modern plastic films are a fundamental cornerstone of the global infrastructure, providing an invisible but essential layer of security for the products we use every day. Beyond mere packaging, they serve as a critical interface between production and consumption, ensuring that goods remain intact, functional, and safe from the moment they are manufactured until they reach their final destination.

01

Protecting Products and Preventing Waste

Plastic films act as a barrier against moisture, oxygen, and contamination, helping products last longer and stay safe. In packaging, they prevent food waste, one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions globally.

02

Lightweight and Resource-Efficient

Films are extremely thin — often less than a fraction of a millimetre — yet strong enough to replace much heavier materials. This translates into less raw material use, lower transport emissions, and better performance.

03

Recyclable and Circular

Modern films are increasingly mono-material and designed for recycling. Through innovation in sorting and recycling technologies, European manufacturers are closing the loop by incorporating recycled polymers back into new films.

04

Enabling Efficient Logistics

In transport and logistics, stretch and shrink films stabilize and protect palletized goods, ensuring safe delivery across Europe. These lightweight, adaptable films provide excellent load stability, weather protection, and fit all pallet formats.

By enabling high end-of-line automation, they increase factory efficiency & optimize truck loading, reducing emissions. Ultimately, pallet wrapping films are critical for efficient, safe, and sustainable European logistics.

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How Plastic FilmsAre Made

The production of plastic films combines precision engineering with advanced polymer science

  1. 1. Resin Production

    High-quality polymers are produced from either fossil-based or increasingly renewable and recycled feedstocks.

  2. 2. Extrusion

    The molten polymer is shaped into a thin layer in one of two ways:

    • Blown film extrusion: air is blown into the molten polymer to form a vertical bubble, resulting in a film with excellent mechanical strength and uniform thickness — ideal for flexible packaging and agricultural applications.
    • Cast film extrusion: the molten polymer is spread over a cooled roller to create a clear, smooth film with precise thickness control — preferred for stretch films and technical uses.

  3. 3. Cooling and Winding

    The film is rapidly cooled, flattened, and wound onto rolls for further processing.

  4. 4. Conversion and Printing

    The base film can be printed, laminated, or cut into specific formats, ready to be used for packaging, agriculture, construction or industrial applications.

Plastic Film Sectors in Europe

ApplicationsAcross Sectors

Plastic films are used in a wide range of sectors, each with its own specific performance requirements. From high-barrier food packaging to durable industrial liners and agricultural wraps, films help protect products, improve efficiency, and reduce environmental impact across Europe’s economy.

Select a Category

Click a category to view details.

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A Sector DrivingCircular Innovation

The European plastic film industry is continuously innovating to:

  • Increase recycled content and use of renewable feedstocks
  • Design fully recyclable mono-material structures
  • Improve collection, sorting and recycling across Europe
  • Support the EU’s Circular Economy and climate goals

EuPF brings together leading manufacturers and converters who are committed to sustainable growth, transparency and innovation — ensuring that plastic films continue to deliver high performance with a lower environmental impact.