How to Choose what material film and more for your drinking packaging

Dear Valued Customer,

Thank you for your interest in Kangzheng. As a professional supplier of flexible packaging materials, we understand the critical role shrink film plays for beverage manufacturers—it serves not only as the product's outer layer but also as a key element in brand image, product protection, and transportation efficiency. We are honored to share our years of industry expertise by providing you with a comprehensive, professional guide for selecting shrink film and evaluating suppliers.

Part One: How to Select a Reliable Shrink Film Supplier?

When choosing a supplier, we recommend evaluating them comprehensively across these core dimensions:

1. Technical and R&D Capabilities:

Formulation and Customization: A top-tier supplier provides tailored formulations and thickness recommendations based on your bottle type (PET, glass, cans), packaging speed, storage environment, etc., rather than offering only standard products.

Problem-Solving Capabilities: Assess whether the supplier maintains a dedicated after-sales technical support team capable of swiftly addressing packaging issues like bag rupture, wrinkling, or uneven sealing.

Laboratory & Testing Equipment: Inquire if the supplier operates a professional laboratory for testing film physical properties (e.g., shrinkage rate, puncture resistance, seal strength) and can provide authoritative test reports.

2. Product Quality and Consistency:

Raw Material Sourcing: High-quality raw materials (e.g., from renowned petrochemical manufacturers like BASF or Dow) form the foundation of consistent product quality. Verify the supplier's material origins.

Production Process & Quality Control: Advanced multi-layer co-extrusion blow molding equipment and a robust ISO quality management system ensure uniform thickness, absence of crystallization points, and no fish eyes in every roll.

Batch Consistency: This is critical for maintaining smooth production line operations. A good supplier ensures high consistency in product performance across different batches.

3. Production Efficiency and Delivery Capability:

Production Capacity Assurance: Ensure the supplier has sufficient capacity to meet your peak season demands, avoiding production stoppages due to supply interruptions.

On-Time Delivery Rate: Timely delivery is a vital component of supply chain coordination.

Film Handling: Providing standardized winding, clear labeling (including optical tracking and in-roll tags), and suitable paper cores significantly reduces changeover time and waste on your production line.

4. Cost and Service:

Total Cost of Ownership, Not Just Unit Price: While price matters, consider the full cost. A roll that's cheap but delivers poor shrink performance and high breakage rates can cause production line downtime, reduced efficiency, and product loss—resulting in higher actual costs.

Pre-Sales and After-Sales Support: Does the supplier offer complimentary sample production, on-site machine trials, and equipment parameter adjustments? Can they become a reliable strategic partner, not just a seller?

5. Sustainability Capabilities:

Eco-Friendly Solutions: Do they offer environmentally conscious options like reduced-thickness formulations, PET products, or recyclable materials (e.g.,PET, PE) to align with future sustainability trends and brand social responsibility?

Part II: How to Select Shrink Film Material and Thickness?

This is the technical core—we break it down for you:

I. Material Selection

The mainstream shrink film materials currently available include the following. We strongly recommend the first two:

1. PET (Polyethylene terephthalate Heat Shrink Film) - Heavy-Duty/Durable Choice

Advantages:

Exceptional Strength: Superior impact and puncture resistance, ideal for heavy-duty packaging.

Low-Temperature Resistance: Maintains performance in cold storage without brittleness.

Eco-Friendly & Recyclable: Made from LDPE/LLDPE, easily recyclable.

Disadvantages: Slightly lower transparency than POF, stiffer texture, and relatively lower shrinkage rate.

Applications: Large-capacity (e.g., 1.25L, 2L) PET bottles, full-case mineral water packaging, or scenarios requiring extreme transport protection.

2. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride Shrink Film) - Not Recommended

Advantages: Low cost.

Disadvantages:

Poor Environmental Performance: Emits toxic gases when burned, inconsistent with modern eco-friendly trends; restricted in many countries and regions.

Average performance: Poor toughness, prone to damage, significantly affected by low temperatures.

Odor: May impact product sensory perception.

Our recommendation: From a brand image and long-term development perspective, we strongly advise beverage manufacturers against using PVC shrink film.

II. Thickness Selection

Thicker isn't always better. Seek the most economical and eco-friendly balance while ensuring performance.

Common PET Film Thickness Ranges:

30μm - 40μm: Suitable for standard full-case or multi-pack configurations exceeding 6 bottles.

45μm - 60μm: Designed for heavy-duty packaging, such as storage and transport of large-volume mineral water or beverage containers.

[Selection Recommendations]

Determine thickness based on your “bottle weight + bundle quantity + shipping distance.” A simple test method: Wrap the product with the candidate film thickness and material, then conduct a 1-1.5 meter drop test and vibration test. If no breakage occurs, the thickness is suitable.

If more problems, can contact me freely: 86-13195653998