​Do We Really Need UVI Stretch Wrap Outdoors?

If you store pallets of products outside or have products that may be sensitive to sunlight, Quick Pak’s UV stabilized stretch wrap film can offer the additional protection you need. Even if you do not intend on storing pallets of products outside, it is always good to use UV stabilized stretch wrap.

Normal stretch wrap as well as the product underneath can be broken down by the UV radiation when stored outdoor. In fact, most stretch films that are not UV stabilized will start to degrade within 30 days of outdoor storage.

Because of its exceptional ability to withstand the sun's UV rays and protect the underlying products, you can find UV stabilized stretch wrap used across an array of industries and applications, including:

-Construction industry and construction sites.

-Landscaping industry to protect pavers and fencing.

-Building industry products, such as bricks, cement, tiles, etc.

-Bagged products stored outside for extended use.

Let us take a closer look at how UV stabilized stretch wrap with a UVI (Ultraviolet Inhibitor) additive helps protect pallets from exposure to the sun.

How Does UV Stabilized Stretch Film Protect?

Whether it is called UV stabilized, UV inhibited, or UV resistant - all these terms refer to film that has been treated with UVI. UV stabilized stretch wrap works similar to the way sunscreen protects your skin. This film has an additive that protects the plastic from breaking down under UV light.

Normal stretch film is engineered from polyethylene plastic that quickly degrades whenever it is exposed to UV light. This degradation results in the plastic stretch wrap losing its cling ability and stretch ability, which makes the film ineffective.

Like regular film, UV stabilized stretch wrap is clear. The additive is added during the manufacturing of the film. Once added, the UV inhibitors may be able to protect films anywhere from nine months up to a year from premature breakdown — depending on the number of revolutions and the amount of stretch wrap used.

Why Choose UV Inhibited Stretch Wrap?

Unless specifically treated, most plastics will begin to deteriorate in direct sunlight. Over time, the physical composition of the film will begin to change, going from yellowing to chalking to discoloration to the complete breakdown.

In addition, exposure to UV rays also weakens the strength and holding ability of the film. However, UV stabilized stretch wrap films are specifically treated during the film extruding process to significantly slow the breakdown of the film.

Key Stretch Film Facts:

Most stretch wrap films will absorb particular UV wavelengths, which causes them to chemically degrade.

Most standard stretch films will degrade within several months of UV exposure.

The degradation of stretch film is visible featuring, chalking, yellowing, discoloration, and decomposition.

Unless your stretch film has a UV inhibitor additive, it will degrade in less than a year with continuous sun exposure.

Opaque UV Resistant Stretch Wrap Film.

In addition to the breakdown of the plastic stretch film, another typical problem is the breakdown of the underlying product. While some products may not degrade in sunlight when stored for less than a year, other products may breakdown very rapidly.

If your products are sensitive to the sun's UV rays, an opaque stretch film with a UV additive may be the better alternative. An opaque UV stabilized stretch wrap will protect your product and protect the film from breakdown under the sun's rays. In either case, blocking out sunlight will significantly extend the life of products stored outside.

Are you unsure which stretch film is the best? The experts at Quick Pak Inc offer decades of experience helping warehouses, business owners, and distribution centers lower costs by choosing the best UV stretch film. Simply tell us about your application, your needs, and goals. Then, we will help guide you to the best UV stretch film solution. Call us at 813 242 6995 or sales@quickpakinc.com