Whilst stretch film/wrap can provide a great amount of security when packing and transporting goods, sometimes they might not be enough or in some cases, not suitable or practical e.g. wrapping individual cartons. That’s where strapping comes in. Whether its PP, PET or steel, additional strapping can provide you with the peace of mind, knowing your valuable goods are securely packed.

Different strapping materials have different properties in terms of its (breaking) strength, elasticity, elongation recovery etc. making them suitable for specific applications or use cases. We’ll discuss the two types of materials that we supply here at Green Master Packaging.

PET strapping has become a popular alternative to steel strapping and has properties that make it more favourable than its steel counterpart whilst having few compromises. Unlike steel, PET strapping is lightweight and pound for pound, PET is stronger than steel. That means, PET strapping with the same break load will be lighter than steel which makes it a safer and easier option to work with.

PET is also more elastic than steel which provides for better tension and integrity as loads shift during transport. The downside however, is that PET tends to deform over time and loses its ability to retain tension over time. Its performance also worsens under extreme temperatures or UV exposure which should be taken into consideration. This can result in loads shifting inside shipping containers over long distances.

Polypropylene strapping is a lightweight and economical solution that is most commonly used for light to medium-duty applications such as cartons closing, paper bundling and bailing. These straps are easy and safe to work with due to their lightweight and flexible nature. It also has a high elongation rating which allows it to withstand shocks and move with a load without breaking.

PP straps are not suitable for heavier applications due to its low tensile strength. This makes it unsuitable for securing heavy loads during transit. Its elongation properties also make it susceptible for deformation over time particularly under extreme temperatures and prolonged UV exposure.