Author: Emel

Shrink packaging is a highly effective packaging method that ensures products leaving the manufacturing facility are protected from environmental conditions until they reach the end consumer.

The term “shrink” refers to the process of shrinking, contracting, or pulling. Shrink-wrapping or shrink film wrapping, the packaging method used, involves wrapping the product or products with a special flexible plastic film and then using heat to shrink the film, creating a tight and secure packaging that wraps around the product and/or holds multiple products together.

There are different shrink-packaging methods available, including manual shrink packaging or the use of fully/semi-automatic packaging machines. Companies can choose from various methods according to their specific needs. Regardless of the method used, the shrink-packaging products remain the same.

	Manual Shrinking	Automatic Shrink-Packaging Machine
Advantages	Versatile: Good for shrinking odd sized & shaped objects.	Higher Productivity: Products are packaged faster and more efficiently
	Portable: Can be easily transported due to its lightweight and small size	Uniform and Standardized Packages: Consistent results in the final product’s appearance and quality.
	Lower upfront cost: Requires less investment upfront than automatic machines, making them a more affordable option for smaller businesses or those with limited budgets	Lower Labour and Energy Costs: Requires less manual labour which can lead to lower labour and energy costs in the long run. (depending on the amount of packages packed per day)
		Better quality in the end product
		Decreases the unit cost of shrink packaging.
Disadvantages	Lower productivity: Increased packaging time, labour, and energy use	Requires a bigger operational area.
	Labour Intensive: May allow for human error. The quality of the shrink depends heavily on the operator of the shrinking gun.	Higher upfront cost: higher initial investment is required.
	No Uniform and Standardized Heat Distribution affecting the appeareance and the quality of the final product.	Limited flexibility: Limitation in terms of the size and shape of the packaged products
	Traditional shrinking guns (torches) increase the risk of occupational accidents.	Maintenance and repair costs may be costly over time.

At Mert Polimer, we specialize in producing shrink bags and films that are compatible with both manual and shrink machines.

Our shrink-wrapping products have a variety of applications, including:

• Forming shaped packaging for products
• Creating a second layer to prevent the product from being opened
• Acting as a barrier against food or liquid leaks in other products
• Creating an attractive and glossy coating for products intended for display

Shrink- wrapping is also used in the manufacturing and preservation of industrial products. In this context, a powerful shrink gun is used, and heavier and stronger film plates are preferred. Products that require storage, such as elevators, ship materials, building and bridge materials, and pallets with heavy loads, are examples of products that benefit from industrial shrink wrapping.

Shrink wrapping can be used for packaging a wide range of products, including chocolate, eggs, carpets, profiles and pipes, soda cans, and detergent packaging.

Choosing the right shrink film for your products is crucial for achieving the desired results. The thickness of the shrink film should be chosen based on the packaging requirements and the characteristics of the product being packaged. For products intended for shelf display, thinner shrink films are preferred, while thicker films are suitable for functional packaging of heavy and grouped products.

If you have any questions regarding packaging methods and materials suitable for your products, our expert sales team is always available to help .

• Packaging multiple products together creates an attractive display for promotions and bundles.
• Sleek, transparent, and glossy appearance on store shelves draws in customers’ attention and enhances their buying experience.
• Protects products during shipping, avoiding damages and costly returns.
• Provides evidence that the product hasn’t been tampered with before reaching the customer, building trust and credibility.
• Reduces exposure to environmental factors such as grease, moisture, and other external elements, preventing damage and extending the shelf life of products.
• Conforms to the shape of the product, creating a tight and appealing visual look that adds value to the brand and increases sales.
• Combines two or more small packages into one, saving time and money on packaging and shipping costs.
• Protects products from rodents and other pests, ensuring the quality and safety of goods.
• Preserves the quality of items such as magazines, books, and other paper products by preventing customers from reading them before purchasing.
• Allows the attachment of labels, usage instructions, barcodes, and other information to product packaging for branding and tracking purposes.

Plastic packaging has a reputation for being highly flammable, making it an unpopular choice for packaging in certain industries. Nonetheless, the flame resistance of plastic packaging can be enhanced through specialised production formulations. For instance, oven bags, a type of food packaging commonly found in households, possess greater heat resistance than conventional plastic bags and can endure  temperatures as high as 200°C without igniting or melting, therefore ensuring safety in food preparation.

The high flammability of plastic poses a significant risk when used as a packaging material in construction insulation industry. However, at Mert Polimer, thanks to our cutting-edge technology and expertise, we were able to help one of our valued customers, a leading player in Turkey’s fire insulation industry, to achieve the EU B Grade flame resistance** status for all building materials except floor coverings.

Before working with us, our customer was only able to obtain this status by using packaging materials sourced from the Netherlands. However, our fire-resistant packaging has allowed them to source 100% of their production from Turkey, thereby improving the sustainability of their supply chain.

As Mert Polimer, we are proud to have contributed to our country’s gross national product while also making our customer’s supply chain more sustainable.

**EU B Grade flame resistance for building materials is a classification given in accordance with Construction Products Directive (Council Directive 89/106/EEC). This classification indicates the level of resistance of building materials to fire. B Grade Fire Resistance for all building materials except floor coverings refers to materials that meet the Class C criteria for fire resistance, but are able to withstand more stringent conditions. The specific criteria for achieving B Grade Fire Resistance for building materials include a minimum smoke production, maximum flame spread rate, and the absence of flaming droplets or debris. Building materials that meet these criteria are considered to have a relatively high level of fire resistance and are suitable for use in various construction applications. (TS EN 13501-1 Annex A, section A.4.2)