--- title: "Shrink Wrap: PVC, Polyethylene, or Polyolefin?" description: The three main shrink films used for protecting and securing products for retail are PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), polyethylene, and polyolefin films. image: //www.industrialpackaging.com/hubfs/Blogging_Images/2016_BLOGGING/DSC_0456-Edit-4-045432-edited.jpg --- ** ** [ Talk to an expert ](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/contact-us) - Categories ** - ** [Subscribe](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog-subscribe) [«  View All Posts](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/resources) ![Shrink Wrap: PVC, Polyethylene, or Polyolefin?](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/hubfs/Blogging_Images/2016_BLOGGING/DSC_0456-Edit-4-045432-edited.jpg) ![Blog Feature](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/298890/blog-files/blog--cards-feature.png) [Subscribe](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog-subscribe) ![David Roberge](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/hubfs/Davids%20Headshot%202025%20IP%20-%20Dark%20Blue.jpg "David Roberge") By: [David Roberge](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/author/david-roberge) on June 16th, 2016 ** Print/Save as PDF # Shrink Wrap: PVC, Polyethylene, or Polyolefin? [Packaging Materials](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/topic/packaging-materials) | [Investment](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/topic/investment) - Share: - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/pvc-polyethylene-polyolefin) - [**](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Shrink+Wrap%3A+PVC%2C+Polyethylene%2C+or+Polyolefin%3F&url=https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/pvc-polyethylene-polyolefin&via=) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/pvc-polyethylene-polyolefin&title=Shrink+Wrap%3A+PVC%2C+Polyethylene%2C+or+Polyolefin%3F&summary=The+three+main+shrink+films+used+for+protecting+and+securing+products+for+retail+are+PVC+%28Polyvinyl+Chloride%29%2C+polyethylene%2C+and+polyolefin+films.) - [**](mailto:?body=https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/pvc-polyethylene-polyolefin) **Are you wrapping your consumer goods with the right film? ** ![shrink film breakdown](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blogging_Images/2016_BLOGGING/DSC_0456-Edit-4-045432-edited.jpg?width=1255&name=DSC_0456-Edit-4-045432-edited.jpg "shrink film breakdown")The three main [shrink films used for protecting and securing products for retail](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/the-complete-guide-to-shrink-film) are PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), polyethylene, and polyolefin. If you aren't completely certain that you are using the ideal film, here's a quick breakdown of the three:   --- ### **PVC & POLYOLEFIN:** - Premium quality shrink films - Great clarity, and appearance; great for consumer products where appearance is critcal (toys, games, candies, most retail goods) - Great appearance and ability to shrink quickly and completely (shrinks when heated resulting in a package that is finished as soon as it comes out of the shrink tunnel) - Durable, versatile, low cost #### **The differences between the two:** - [PVC -Higher resistance to propugation of tear, Polyolefin- higher resistance to puncture](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/mastering-the-characteristics-of-shrink-continued) - PVC -Offers preferential orientation (shrinks in only one direction) and low shrink force - PVC Rolls are temperamental with drastic heat or cold temperatures, causing brittleness when too cold, and wrinkling when too warm - Polyolefin is more expensive, but more durable- not as effected by temperature changes - Many types of Polyolefin are FDA approved ### Polyethylene - Lower clarity and appearance, not a easy to shrink out completely - Good for lower end applications and unitization (24-pack of waters), replacement of master corrugated shippers, larger items - More expensive, but durable - Thicker- offering more stretchability - Shrinks as cools rather than heats, requiring additional cooling space at the end of the tunnel.  No matter what the application, knowing your options can [save you a ton](https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/cost-saving-and-shrink) in the long run. That's a wrap (PACKAGING PUN, HA!). --- **Talk to a rep today about your particular shrink needs** [![START WORKING WITH OUR PACKAGING PRO'S TODAY](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/386184/d00f4a9e-5398-488e-9493-d9c25c47d330.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/386184/d00f4a9e-5398-488e-9493-d9c25c47d330) ---   ### About David Roberge I help CPG brands find the right contract packaging partner through content that answers real questions. I get to do that alongside a team whose values actually match mine: respect, teamwork, and always getting better. I also appreciate the psychology behind decision-making. Outside of work you'll find me hiking with my partner and dog, learning German and Spanish, pulling tarot cards. - **Connect with David Roberge** - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidroberge) - [**](mailto:david.roberge@industrialpackaging.com) - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/pvc-polyethylene-polyolefin) - [**](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Shrink+Wrap%3A+PVC%2C+Polyethylene%2C+or+Polyolefin%3F&url=https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/pvc-polyethylene-polyolefin&via=) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/pvc-polyethylene-polyolefin&title=Shrink+Wrap%3A+PVC%2C+Polyethylene%2C+or+Polyolefin%3F&summary=The+three+main+shrink+films+used+for+protecting+and+securing+products+for+retail+are+PVC+%28Polyvinyl+Chloride%29%2C+polyethylene%2C+and+polyolefin+films.) - [**](mailto:?body=https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/pvc-polyethylene-polyolefin) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "David Roberge", "url" : "https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/author/david-roberge" }, "dateModified" : "2018-11-07T16:53:18.988Z", "datePublished" : "2016-06-16T12:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Shrink Wrap: PVC, Polyethylene, or Polyolefin?", "image" : [ "//www.industrialpackaging.com/hubfs/Blogging_Images/2016_BLOGGING/DSC_0456-Edit-4-045432-edited.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.industrialpackaging.com/blog/pvc-polyethylene-polyolefin", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.industrialpackaging.com/hubfs/INDUSTRIAL%20PACKAGING%20LOGO%202016.png" }, "name" : "Industrial Packaging" } } ```