In the industrial, logistics, and food sectors, choosing the right type of packaging film is essential to ensure product protection, preservation, and presentation. Whether it’s bundling items on a pallet, protecting against moisture, or extending the shelf life of food, packaging films play a vital role at every stage of the supply chain.
At Creopack, we offer deep expertise in the design and distribution of packaging solutions tailored to the most demanding needs. In this article, we explore the different types of packaging films, their technical features, most common applications, and the many advantages they bring in a professional context.
What Is a Packaging Film?
A packaging film is a thin, flexible, and usually transparent plastic material used to wrap, protect, bundle, or preserve products. It’s a versatile solution widely used across industrial, food, pharmaceutical, and logistics sectors. Thanks to its light weight, strength, and ability to conform to various shapes, packaging film has become indispensable for keeping goods safe throughout their lifecycle — from production to delivery.
A Tool for Protection and Product Enhancement
Packaging films primarily serve as a protective barrier — guarding products against moisture, dust, UV rays, microorganisms, and mechanical impacts. In industrial environments, they help stabilize palletized loads and prevent cross-contamination. In the food industry, they are essential for maintaining freshness and ensuring hygienic conditions.
Beyond protection, packaging film also plays a key aesthetic and marketing role. Thanks to its transparency or printable surface, it enhances product presentation and allows for visual customization. This helps brands strengthen their identity, improve labeling, and achieve better shelf visibility.
A Wide Range of Materials and Technologies
There isn’t just one kind of packaging film — rather, a wide variety exists, each with its own technical properties, application methods, and use cases. Some films are designed to be stretched around a product (stretch film), others to shrink with heat (shrink film), and some to offer protective barriers against oxygen or moisture (multi-layer barrier films).
The diversity of types of packaging films makes it possible to adapt the solution to the specific challenges of each industry. Whether the goal is to package food in a modified atmosphere, bundle heavy items on a pallet, or choose an eco-conscious option like a biodegradable film — there is always a targeted solution.
An Integrated Solution Within Creopack’s Global Offering
At Creopack, we manage the entire process — from selecting materials to custom converting. Our Films & Converting page provides an overview of our tailored solutions for various applications. We offer films suitable for automation, food packaging, sensitive product protection, and heat-sealing processes.
This comprehensive approach allows us to deliver not only high-performance products but also strategic support to help optimize your packaging operations — all while respecting your productivity, quality, and sustainability goals.
The Main Types of Packaging Films
The wide range of types of packaging films makes it possible to meet a variety of needs related to product protection, transport, and presentation. Each type has unique characteristics that make it more or less suitable depending on the intended use. Here are the most commonly used packaging films in industrial and logistics environments, along with their applications and advantages.
1. Stretch Film
Stretch film is a flexible plastic film, generally made of polyethylene, that can be stretched around a product or load without tearing. It is mainly used for pallet wrapping and for keeping goods secure during transport.
Applications:
- Stabilizing pallet loads
- Bundling cartons or grouped products
- Protection against dust and moisture
Advantages:
- Excellent elasticity and puncture resistance
- Reduces losses from damage during transit
- Transparency allows for easy label reading
- Available in manual or machine formats
Discover solutions tailored to your production needs on our Films & Converting page.
2. Shrink Film
Shrink film is designed to shrink when exposed to heat, tightly wrapping around the product to create a secure, tamper-evident seal. It is widely used in food, electronics, and cosmetics for neat and professional presentations.
Applications:
- Individual or multi-unit product packaging
- Promotional bundles
- Retail display packaging
Advantages:
- Clean and professional finish
- Excellent product visibility
- Suitable for irregular shapes
- Good mechanical strength
At Creopack, our sealing and shrink equipment ensures high-quality results, regardless of your production speed.
3. PEBD, PEHD, and PP Plastic Films
These films are made from common plastic resins, each offering distinct technical properties:
- LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene): soft, flexible, transparent – ideal for light packaging
- HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene): stiff and durable – suitable for heavier loads
- PP (Polypropylene): more rigid and clear, with good heat resistance
Applications:
- Bags, pouches, sleeves, and sheeting
- Industrial or food packaging
- Protective or separating films
Advantages:
- Customizable (printing, perforation)
- Moisture-resistant
- Compatible with automatic packaging equipment
Learn more about our converted products, including flexible and hermetic options, on our Flat Pouches page.
4. Multilayer Barrier Films
These technical films consist of multiple layers (PET, EVOH, PE, aluminum, etc.) offering barrier properties against oxygen, moisture, UV rays, and aromas. They are essential for food packaging, particularly for sensitive or modified-atmosphere products.
Applications:
- Fresh, frozen, or vacuum-packed foods
- Pharmaceutical packaging
- Ready-to-eat meals
Advantages:
- Significantly extends shelf life
- Maintains product quality (taste, texture, aroma)
- Enhances food safety
- Supports high-quality printing for branding
Creopack offers tailored solutions using technical materials integrated into its packaging systems.
5. Compostable and Biodegradable Films
As sustainability becomes a key criterion, biodegradable and compostable films are gaining popularity as alternatives to conventional plastics. Made from renewable resources (cornstarch, PLA, cellulose), these films are designed to break down under industrial composting conditions.
Applications:
- Eco-friendly food packaging
- Temporary or disposable packaging
- Low environmental impact products
Advantages:
- Reduces plastic waste
- Enhances brand image
- Aligns with environmental initiatives
Although compostable film solutions are still evolving within the industry, forward-thinking companies like Creopack are adapting to changing market expectations by exploring lower-impact materials.
How to Choose the Right Type of Packaging Film
With so many types of packaging films available on the market, selecting the most appropriate option for your needs is crucial. Several factors come into play — from the nature of your products to your sustainability goals and production constraints. Here’s what to consider to make the best decision.
1. The Type of Product to Be Packaged
The first and most important criterion is the nature of the product being protected. A food item sensitive to oxygen will require a multilayer barrier film, while a heavy industrial product may call for a high-strength stretch film. Shape, weight, fragility, and shelf life should all be taken into account.
2. Storage and Transportation Conditions
Will your goods be stored outdoors? Shipped over long distances? Exposed to temperature variations? These factors directly influence film selection. For example:
- Shrink film is ideal for creating airtight packaging that resists moisture.
- Opaque stretch film can be used to conceal pallet contents during transport.
3. Production and Equipment Constraints
Some production lines require films that are compatible with automated packaging machines, while others may prioritize fast manual application. It’s essential to choose a film that integrates efficiently into your operations without disrupting productivity.
To learn more about our technical expertise and converting capabilities, visit our Films & Converting page.
4. Environmental and Branding Goals
More and more companies are turning to eco-friendly films, such as compostable or recyclable materials. This can help meet regulatory or social expectations while also reinforcing your brand image.
While not every application currently supports the use of sustainable materials, viable alternatives are emerging, and can be explored depending on your industry and objectives.
Why Choose Creopack for Your Packaging Film Solutions?
With over 35 years of experience in the industrial packaging sector, Creopack has established itself as a trusted partner for companies seeking high-performance, customized, and sustainable packaging film solutions.
Our strength lies in our ability to understand each client’s specific needs and provide a tailor-made solution — whether in terms of material, format, or equipment compatibility. We know that every industry has its own challenges, and we offer a broad range of films designed to meet those demands: protection, preservation, visibility, logistics, automation, or waste reduction.
Comprehensive Technical Expertise
Our Films & Converting division specializes in adapting and processing materials to match your production constraints and volume requirements. Whether you need custom roll formats, pre-cut films, or high-performance materials, we provide reliable and consistent solutions.
Compatible and High-Performance Equipment
We also support you in selecting and integrating packaging service such as sealers, dispensers, shrink tunnels, and automated systems. This end-to-end approach ensures optimal performance and helps reduce product loss throughout your packaging process.
Personalized, Expert Support
At Creopack, you benefit from professional, personalized support — from the initial needs assessment through to post-sales service. Our goal is to build long-lasting partnerships by providing technical advice, performance testing, and continuous operational support.
Conclusion
The types of packaging films available today are as diverse as the needs of the businesses that use them. Whether you’re looking to protect a fragile item, wrap pallets efficiently, extend the shelf life of food, or adopt a more responsible packaging approach — there’s a solution that fits.
Making the right choice means considering several key factors: product characteristics, transportation conditions, equipment constraints, and your strategic goals. With Creopack’s expertise, you gain a reliable partner who will guide you toward the most effective packaging film solution for your business.
📞 Ready to optimize your operations with effective and tailored packaging films?
Contact us today to discuss your project with one of our specialists.