By Biolastic Team · 26/10/2026
Shrink hood or stretch wrap for industrial pallets? Compare equipment, film mass, load stability, distribution testing and full cost per accepted pallet.
A pallet that looks secure in the warehouse can arrive with leaning cartons, torn corners or a film sleeve hanging loose. Sometimes the problem is the film. Sometimes it is the pallet pattern, the wrapper settings or the way the load is handled after dispatch.
That makes the choice between pallet shrink hood film and stretch wrap more than a question of price per kilogram. For factories, warehouses and export packers, the real decision is which system produces a stable, accepted pallet at a predictable total cost.
Quick answer: Choose stretch wrap when you need a compatible tension-wrapping process and flexible adjustment to changing pallet loads. Evaluate a heat-shrink hood when your equipment can apply and heat a correctly sized hood around a suitable pallet profile. Neither method guarantees stability, weather resistance or export acceptance without testing the actual load.
This guide is for buyers worldwide, with examples relevant to manufacturers and distributors in Siliguri, North Bengal and across India. It draws on products listed in Biolastic's shrink film range and stretch film range. Exact commercial specifications remain subject to quotation.
These terms are easy to confuse, particularly when purchasing teams use the phrase “pallet plastic” for everything.
Heat-shrink hood film is configured as a hood or sleeve over the load. Controlled heat causes the film to contract around it. The equipment, heat exposure, hood dimensions and load geometry all influence the result.
Stretch wrap is wound around the pallet under tension. The film is stretched during application and its recovery and holding force help contain the load. Hand wrappers and machine wrappers use different application methods.
Stretch hood film is a separate system: a hood is mechanically stretched over a pallet and released around the load, generally without the heat-shrinking step used for a shrink hood. Do not order stretch hood film merely because a catalogue mentions a “hood.”
| Decision | Heat-shrink pallet hood | Spiral stretch wrap | Stretch hood (different technology) |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it is applied | Hood fitted, then heated | Film wound under controlled tension | Hood mechanically stretched and released |
| Heat required | Yes, with suitable controlled equipment | No heat-shrink step | Normally no heat-shrink step |
| Film path | Hood or sleeve | Continuous spiral web | Elastic hood |
| Key machinery question | Hood fitting and heating system | Hand or machine wrapper compatibility | Dedicated stretch-hood applicator |
| Common buyer error | Wrong lay-flat width or shrink behaviour | Wrong pre-stretch, tension or roll fit | Confusing it with heat-shrink hood film |
| Performance decision | Validate on the actual pallet | Validate on the actual pallet | Validate on the actual pallet |
A good quotation starts by identifying the process already installed at the factory. A roll that is perfectly made but incompatible with the wrapper has no practical value.
As checked against Biolastic's catalogue on 26 October 2026, the website lists Pallet Shrink Hood Film, described for palletised industrial loads where a suitable hood is contracted using controlled heat.
The catalogue also lists Machine Stretch Film Rolls, Hand Stretch Film Rolls, and an LLDPE Stretch Film Roll.
The LLDPE stretch-film listing identifies a 20-micron variant. That does not mean 20 micron is the correct specification for every pallet, or that all other stretch-film listings have the same gauge.
The pallet shrink-hood listing does not publish a universal thickness, guaranteed load rating, shrink percentage or certification. The machine stretch-film listing also asks buyers to confirm width, thickness, roll weight and core specification. Neither listing establishes a universal export certification or guaranteed delivery to every country.
The products are therefore useful starting points for a technical enquiry, not substitutes for an approved pallet specification.
If pallet dimensions change frequently, a hand or machine stretch-wrapping process may offer a convenient way to adjust the number of wraps and overlap. However, convenience is not proof of sufficient load containment.
For manual operations, operator technique matters: wrap tension, bottom anchoring, corner handling and film overlap can vary from shift to shift. Record a repeatable method and test it.
A high-volume factory may compare automated stretch wrapping with a shrink-hood line based on cycle time, labour, energy, consumables, maintenance and changeover requirements.
Do not assume one technology is always faster. Throughput depends on the actual machine, pallet dimensions, film specification, line layout and stops.
For a pallet moving through a port, truck terminal or several warehouses, stability must survive more than the first forklift lift. Consider vibration, braking, handling, temperature variation, storage duration and the destination's packaging rules.
The words “export grade” on a quotation are not an engineering test result. Define the shipping unit, intended route and acceptance criteria before deciding which film to use.
A square, well-stacked load of identical cartons behaves differently from a mixed pallet with an overhanging top layer. Film can only do part of the job if the underlying stack is unstable.
Before asking for samples, record the following:
A shrink hood may require allowances for pallet shape, load height and controlled contraction. A stretch wrapper needs suitable film width, overlap, bottom-to-load anchoring and settings that do not crush fragile cartons.
If cartons protrude beyond the pallet or the load has a weak base, correct the stacking arrangement before expecting more film to solve the problem.
A shrink hood is not simply a flat bag with an arbitrary width. A supplier needs to know the hood's intended orientation, the pallet's perimeter and the load's height.
Lay-flat width refers to a tubular film measured flat. Its nominal open circumference is approximately twice the lay-flat width before considering gussets, sealing, folds and actual fit. A gusseted hood requires a different dimensional description.
For a real RFQ, provide a sketch with the pallet's length, width and total loaded height. Identify any overhang and specify whether the hood must extend down to the pallet base. Ask the supplier to confirm the cut length, lay-flat or gusset dimensions, seal arrangement, single-wall thickness and shrink behaviour.
Do not derive the production hood size from perimeter alone. Film contraction, clearance for application, heat response and equipment geometry all need validation on a sample load.
Heat can affect the goods, not just the film. Sensitive products, labels, adhesives, cartons, plastic containers and electronics may require additional review.
There is no responsible universal shrink temperature for every pallet. Use the film and equipment suppliers' operating window, measure actual exposure and confirm that both packaging and product survive the process. Include fire safety, guarding and operator procedures in the equipment review.
Stretch film is often quoted by thickness, width and kilograms per roll. Those are necessary specifications, but they do not tell the whole story.
Pre-stretch describes elongation of the film before or during application. A nominal 150% elongation means a 1 m length could become about 2.5 m under the stated definition. That is an illustration of length change, not a claim that every film or machine can operate at that level.
Stretching changes film dimensions and mechanical behaviour. Width can narrow, thickness can change and excessive tension can crush cartons or cause film breaks. The applied film must hold the load through the expected route, not merely look tight at the wrapper exit.
Ask for a machine trial that records roll specification, actual film mass used, wrap pattern, tension settings, film breaks, pallets per hour and final containment performance.
The current ASTM D4649-20(2025) guide is a useful technical reference for selection, specification and application of stretch film. Its scope covers indoor environments; it does not establish outdoor weather performance for any particular roll.
A price per kilogram is useful for buying film, but a warehouse dispatches pallets, not kilograms of packaging. Start by measuring net film consumption.
For a simple flat web:
Film mass (g) = width (m) × original film length consumed (m) × thickness (micron) × density (g/cm³).
For a two-wall tubular hood blank:
Film mass (g) = 2 × lay-flat width (m) × cut length (m) × single-wall thickness (micron) × density (g/cm³).
These are idealised mass calculations. They exclude seals, gussets, cut waste, gauge variation, extra layers, core mass and other converting differences. For stretched film, use the original roll length consumed, not the longer applied length after stretching.
Assume 500 mm film width, 60 m of original film consumed from the roll, 20-micron thickness and assumed density of 0.92 g/cm³.
Film mass = 0.50 × 60 × 20 × 0.92 = 552 g, or 0.552 kg.
At a hypothetical delivered film price of ₹180/kg, the material cost is:
0.552 × ₹180 = ₹99.36 per pallet.
This does not include machine energy, labour, breakage, startup scrap, core losses or damage. It is not an actual Biolastic price or an observed wrapping recipe.
Assume a simple, ungusseted sleeve blank with 1.30 m lay-flat width, 2.40 m cut length, 80-micron single-wall thickness and assumed density of 0.92 g/cm³.
Film mass = 2 × 1.30 × 2.40 × 80 × 0.92 = 459.26 g, or about 0.459 kg.
At a hypothetical film price of ₹220/kg, material cost is about ₹101.04 per hood.
These dimensions are for arithmetic only: they have not been validated to fit any actual pallet or hooding machine. Real hoods may have gussets, seals, trim and different geometry. The example also excludes heating energy and equipment costs.
| Illustrative metric | Stretch wrap | Heat-shrink hood |
|---|---:|---:|
| Net theoretical film per pallet | 0.552 kg | 0.459 kg |
| Assumed film rate | ₹180/kg | ₹220/kg |
| Film-only cost | ₹99.36 | ₹101.04 |
| Heating energy included? | No | No |
| Equipment and labour included? | No | No |
| Verified load performance? | No | No |
Do not choose a system from this table. It demonstrates why two different film formats can have similar material costs despite different thicknesses and rates. A valid comparison must use two real packaging recipes that both pass the same acceptance tests.
Total cost per accepted pallet = (film + energy + labour + maintenance allocation + equipment allocation + waste + rework + packaging-related damage) ÷ accepted pallets.
Measure each term over a comparable trial period. If a low-cost film creates more rejects, its apparent saving can disappear.
A visually neat pallet is not necessarily a stable pallet. Test the complete shipping unit: pallet, goods, stacking pattern, separators, edge protection and applied film.
Start with a repeatable trial plan:
1. Build matched pallets using the same products, pallet type, stacking pattern and gross mass.
2. Record film batch, gauge, width, wrapping or hooding recipe and consumed film mass.
3. Inspect the first pallets for tearing, loose corners, shifted cartons, crushed boxes and exposed product.
4. Perform controlled handling with appropriate safety precautions and documented acceptance criteria.
5. Assess vibration, handling and distribution hazards relevant to the actual shipping route.
6. Inspect after the trial, including film damage and carton displacement.
7. Repeat with different lots and operators before approving a production specification.
For stretch-film comparisons, ASTM D5415-95(2025) describes a vibration-based comparison of load-containment performance. Its scope does not establish a direct correlation with every real distribution environment.
For broader shipping-unit evaluation, ASTM D4169-23e1 provides a laboratory framework for distribution-related hazards. A particular test plan and pass/fail criteria must be selected for the shipment; merely citing the standard does not mean the load has passed.
Do not claim a Biolastic film has passed these tests unless there is an actual product- and configuration-specific report.
A hood can provide a different coverage pattern from a spiral wrap, but that alone does not prove that the packaged load is waterproof, UV-resistant or suitable for months outdoors.
Water can enter through openings, punctures or seams. Condensation can form even under an intact covering. Heat and sunlight may change film performance over time. The pallet base and any top sheet also matter.
If outdoor exposure is part of the use case, specify the expected duration, climate, UV exposure and moisture challenge. Request evidence for the complete packaging configuration, not just a generic statement about polyethylene.
Similarly, black or coloured film should not automatically be described as anti-theft or UV-protective. Opacity, security and UV resistance are separate specifications that require evidence.
A global packaging RFQ should distinguish film performance from legal compliance. Passing a load-stability test does not automatically satisfy every destination's waste, material, marking or producer-responsibility requirements.
For the European Union, Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste began applying in phases from 12 August 2026, according to the European Commission's 11 August 2026 update. Requirements vary by provision and implementation date; future recycling, recycled-content, reuse and labelling obligations must be assessed for the relevant packaging and economic operator.
Do not interpret a product name such as “LLDPE stretch film” as proof of recycled content, recyclability in every market or compliance with every destination rule. Ask for product-specific material declarations and confirm responsibilities with the importer and local compliance advisers.
For buyers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Southeast Asia, the Middle East or elsewhere, check the applicable destination rules and customer specifications separately. There is no single worldwide packaging certificate.
A factory shipping from Siliguri to Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, the Dooars, Assam or a distant port may experience several handling stages. Rainy-season loading, mixed carton sizes and repeated transfers can create practical challenges, but no film can compensate for an unsafe pallet pattern or poor handling.
For local and regional buyers, an efficient first trial is often to standardise one common pallet: record its footprint, load height, product mass and current damage pattern, then test a single wrapping specification against it. Once that pallet is reliable, expand to other load profiles.
For international buyers, use the same disciplined method and add destination-specific documentation, shipping terms and acceptance tests.
Biolastic is based in Siliguri and lists both shrink-hood and stretch-film products. International supply, stock, sample availability, export documents, MOQ, freight and lead time are not guaranteed by the catalogue; confirm them in a written quotation.
Use a weighted scorecard to compare trial outcomes. The weights below are a suggested starting point, not an industry standard.
| Criterion | Suggested weight | What to measure |
|---|---:|---|
| Load stability after handling | 30 | Displacement, tilting, failures |
| Total cost per accepted pallet | 25 | Full process and damage cost |
| Equipment fit and operating safety | 15 | Compatibility, controls, training |
| Throughput and downtime | 10 | Accepted pallets per hour |
| Product protection | 10 | Puncture, contamination, moisture observations |
| Supply consistency and documents | 10 | Batch specification, quality and compliance records |
Score each category from 0 to 5 and multiply by its weight divided by 5. This gives a score out of 100. Do not use a scorecard to waive mandatory safety or compliance requirements; a failure there is a rejection regardless of total points.
We are comparing heat-shrink pallet hood film and/or machine stretch film for [product category]. Pallet footprint is [L × W mm], loaded height [mm], gross load weight [kg], and cartons are arranged [pattern/layers]. Our existing equipment is [manufacturer/model] or [no machine installed]. Required throughput is [pallets/hour]. Distribution route and storage conditions are [details]. Please quote the correct film format, width/lay-flat or gusset dimensions, cut length where relevant, single-wall micron and tolerance, material description, roll/core specification, shrink or stretch performance data, sample quantity, test reports available, MOQ, lead time, net film mass, price basis and delivered terms to [city/country]. Please confirm compatibility and propose a controlled trial. We will approve only after load-stability and cost-per-accepted-pallet evaluation.
A detailed enquiry helps the supplier quote the right material rather than guessing from a photograph.
No. A shrink hood is placed over a pallet load and contracted using controlled heat. Stretch wrap is tensioned around a load without a heat-shrinking step. Their equipment, film specifications and application methods differ.
No. Performance depends on the exact film, load geometry, application settings, handling route and acceptance tests. Neither format is automatically suitable for every pallet.
A shrink hood requires a compatible, controlled heating method and application equipment. The exact system depends on the machinery and film. A stretch hood is a different technology and should not be confused with a heat-shrink hood.
There is no universal micron. Specify pallet footprint, load height, weight, sharp edges, transport conditions and equipment, then trial film gauges and shrink characteristics with the supplier.
Measure net film mass consumed for each accepted pallet, multiply by actual delivered film price per kilogram, then add labour, energy, machine costs, waste, rework and damage. Do not compare roll price alone.
Do not assume either claim. A hood may cover more of a load than spiral wrap, but seams, openings, punctures, condensation, UV exposure and storage duration all matter. Obtain application-specific test evidence.
ASTM D4649-20(2025) provides guidance on stretch-film use, ASTM D5415-95(2025) compares stretch-wrap containment under vibration, and ASTM D4169-23e1 addresses laboratory distribution testing of shipping units. None automatically certifies a specific Biolastic product.
Biolastic lists both product categories and accepts technical enquiries. Buyers should confirm exact specification, sample availability, MOQ, shipping destination, export documentation, lead time and regulatory obligations before ordering.
A shrink hood and stretch wrap solve the same broad problem—keeping palletised goods together—but they use different machinery and create different operational costs. Start with the real pallet, test a suitable application, and compare total cost per accepted shipment.
Explore Biolastic Pallet Shrink Hood Film and Machine Stretch Film, then request a technical quotation with pallet dimensions, equipment model, quantity and delivery destination.
Technical references checked 26 October 2026: ASTM D4649-20(2025), ASTM D5415-95(2025), ASTM D4169-23e1 and the European Commission's 2026 PPWR guidance. These references explain test methods and regulatory context; they are not Biolastic product certifications. All price and film-use examples above are hypothetical calculations.
No. A shrink hood is placed over a pallet load and contracted using controlled heat. Stretch wrap is tensioned around a load without a heat-shrinking step. Their equipment, film specifications and application methods differ.
No. Performance depends on the exact film, load geometry, application settings, handling route and acceptance tests. Neither format is automatically suitable for every pallet.
A shrink hood requires a compatible, controlled heating method and application equipment. The exact system depends on the machinery and film. A stretch hood is a different technology and should not be confused with a heat-shrink hood.
There is no universal micron. Specify pallet footprint, load height, weight, sharp edges, transport conditions and equipment, then trial film gauges and shrink characteristics with the supplier.
Measure net film mass consumed for each accepted pallet, multiply by actual delivered film price per kilogram, then add labour, energy, machine costs, waste, rework and damage. Do not compare roll price alone.
Do not assume either claim. A hood may cover more of a load than spiral wrap, but seams, openings, punctures, condensation, UV exposure and storage duration all matter. Obtain application-specific test evidence.
ASTM D4649-20(2025) provides guidance on stretch-film use, ASTM D5415-95(2025) compares stretch-wrap containment under vibration, and ASTM D4169-23e1 addresses laboratory distribution testing of shipping units. None automatically certifies a specific Biolastic product.
Biolastic lists both product categories and accepts technical enquiries. Buyers should confirm exact specification, sample availability, MOQ, shipping destination, export documentation, lead time and regulatory obligations before ordering.
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