Reducing film consumption when packaging pallets is key as it helps to optimize costs in the company. Do you want to know how to do it without increasing the risk of damaging your products? Keep reading…
Ways to reduce film consumption when wrapping pallets
It is true that there are different types of stretch film for packaging, whether automatic or manual, BOPP, BOPA, EVOH or CPA. But what they all have in common is the fact that they all use plastic, a material made, among other raw materials, from petroleum.
Therefore, the cost of the film is associated with the cost of oil, since it is a derivative. And an increase in raw materials is quickly passed on and this can generate some cost issues. If you want to be competitive, this is something you have to manage smartly.
However, the use of film for pallet packaging is a necessity for safety, stability and space management. The best option for professional and efficient pallet wrapping is to use a pallet wrapping machine. Regardless of the sector you operate in, the differences will be noticeable, and by a large margin. Therefore, it is not surprising that this type of technology has become more widespread in recent years.
Do you want to know what you can do to reduce film consumption without compromising the effectiveness of your pallet wrapping? Here are 5 useful tips to do so with the help of a pallet wrapping machine:
1. Minimize film debris and tails
One recurring problem is film residues and film tails. At the beginning, you may waste very little, but if you add up all the leftovers, you will probably notice it in the long run. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you try to make the most of the film when packing pallets, taking special care with these elements.
What we can say is that, with manual pallet wrapping, more debris and film tails are likely. It is clear that the same accuracy or mathematical calculation is not possible every time. It would not hurt to take this point into account because there are savings to be made here.
2. Stretch the film further
The more you stretch the film, as long as it is of good quality, the greater the product savings. It should be remembered that a pallet wrapping machine always provides a better result than manual wrapping.
If you use a stretch wrapping machine and program it, a stretch capacity of 300% can be achieved. Or, to put it another way, for one meter of film you can stretch it to 4 meters. It is no secret, then, that this is a smart way to save on supplies in the long run, especially if you use a lot of film for palletizing. Many SMEs overspend by not correctly calculating how far they can stretch their film.
In addition, pallet wrapping also creates a professional result, which the customer will also appreciate. Consequently, it is a recommended technique to avoid all kinds of problems.
3. Use good quality film
Although this may seem obvious, it must be said: the quality of the film has a major influence on the result. Why is this? A poor-quality film is more likely to break when stretched, and that’s simply wasted material.
The maxim that ”You get what you pay for” is true when it comes to buying pallet wrapping film. It may be worthwhile spending a few cents more and, in exchange, have certain quality guarantees. As the materials are diverse, it does not hurt to consult and make sure that the type of film is compatible with the machinery.
However, it is also true that, if the film is good quality, an automatic machine will help you to get the best out of it. It can be stretched further without compromising its integrity.
4. Reduce film consumption by recycling (where possible)
It is true that, if you use a quality pallet wrapping machine, the chances of wasting supplies are minimal. But, even so, as a general principle you should recycle materials if you can.
For example, if there is a small remainder or you have a return and the film is in good condition, you can find an alternative use for it without any loss of quality in the results. This gesture, as long as it is done judiciously, will allow you to save money and that, in the long run, is noticeable.
Recycling is also a sustainable act that is part of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy that generates credibility.
5. Wrapping the pallet base properly
The base of the pallet must be well wrapped, because breakages are frequent and it is possible to waste a large part of the film in this area. Therefore, special care must be taken to ensure that no more material than necessary is wasted.
Manual wrapping at the base is particularly costly and complicated. Once again, the use of specialized machinery becomes the best option. Not only for the finish on the pallet, but also for the speed of stretch wrapping. The Saturn S8 for example, can deliver a guaranteed result.
And there is another issue that we cannot ignore: the faster this process is done, the better. If you want to save material and money thanks to good pallet wrapping,
6. Cross wrapping
Cross-wrapping pallets is another method that saves a lot of film and, more importantly, improves safety. This procedure basically consists of closing on one side and then closing perpendicularly on the other. This avoids having to use layers and layers to fix the load correctly.
Wrapping is, for all these reasons, a very interesting option because it saves a lot of film. Although the technique works well manually or with an automatic machine, there is no doubt that the result is better with the latter.
Conclusion
Reducing film consumption with these good practices is possible, and all this while guaranteeing a good service. Do you want to be more efficient in your pallet wrapping? Don’t worry, at Movitec we have several options adapted to your needs! Contact us to find out more!
