Shrink film is a thermoplastic packaging material that shrinks when exposed to heat and conforms tightly to the shape of the packaged item, like a second skin. Polyolefin fine-shrink film (POF) is one of the most versatile packaging materials on the market. It wraps products without wrinkles, reliably protects them from external influences such as moisture, dust, light, and mechanical damage, and holds them securely in place—making any tampering immediately visible.
There are essentially three main types of shrink film: polyolefin (POF), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyethylene (PE). PVCfilms is cost-effective but is less commonly recommended due to environmental concerns (EU Packaging Directive). PEfilms is particularly robust and puncture-resistant, making it especially suitable for heavy loads and securing pallets. Polyolefin shrink film, on the other hand, combines high transparency, puncture resistance, and recyclability in a single solution, making it the preferred choice for product packaging—whether for food, pharmaceuticals, electronics, cosmetics, textiles, or paper and print products. POF filmsfilms offer higher puncture resistance than standard PE filmsfilms and allow for the use of thinner film gauges, which reduces costs and environmental impact.
What is polyolefin?
Polyolefins are polymers produced from simple olefins (alkenes) such as ethylene or propylene. The result is an extremely versatile material used in a wide variety of products. Two types of polyolefins are particularly relevant to the packaging industry: polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). Polyolefin fine-shrink films consist of multiple layers and are available from Schlichter GmbH as linear or cross-linked shrink films, with or without electronic cross-linking. The properties of POFfilms can be tailored using different resin blends and production processes to meet specific requirements such as shrink behavior and surface finish.
The Advantages of Polyolefin Shrink Film
Polyolefin shrink film offers a combination of properties that makes it the ideal choice for virtually any packaging need.
High transparency, gloss, and brilliant appearance
The high level of transparency and clarity ensures that the contents of the shrink wrap remain clearly visible. This is particularly important in retail, where product visibility in store displays significantly influences purchasing decisions. The brilliant shine and smooth surface of the polyolefin shrink film create a professional, high-quality appearance—whether for individual items or multi-unit packages.
Durability and Mechanical Strength
Polyolefin fine-shrink film is resistant to tears and punctures and offers extremely high puncture resistance as well as tear-resistant weld seams. This makes polyolefin shrink film the ideal packaging solution, even for sharp-edged or hard objects. At the same time, it retains its flexibility even at low temperatures—an important factor for packaging frozen and refrigerated products. The film thus helps ensure reliable product protection during transport and storage.
Excellent shrinkage properties and weld seams
With high shrinkage force and shrinkage rates of up to approximately 88%, the fine-shrink film conforms closely to the contours of the item, regardless of its shape or size. This results in uniform, wrinkle-free shrink wrapping. Its excellent sealing properties and high machine compatibility allow it to be processed on packaging machines with high cycle rates—a clear advantage for businesses with high packaging volumes. The use of perforations allows air to escape during shrinkage, preventing bubbles from forming and ensuring clean shrink wrapping results.
Flexibility and Adaptability
Polyolefin fine-shrink film is available in a wide range of thicknesses and widths—as half-tubing or flat film, with widths ranging from 150 to 1,200 mm and thicknesses from 7 to 38 µm. Whether for protecting small electronic components and smartphones or for packaging large food products—thanks to additional features such as anti-slip treatment, antistatic coating, or anti-fog treatment—polyolefin film can be used in all industries.
Printability
Our fine-shrink films are manufactured using state-of-the-art production methods and can be printed using 10-color rotogravure printing. Company logos, product information, and graphic elements can be printed directly onto the film—ensuring high brand recognition and a successful blend of aesthetics and functionality.
Cost-effectiveness
Thanks to its durability and flexibility, polyolefin shrink film helps reduce packaging costs. Its light weight and the use of highly reduced films mean that less material is needed per roll—while still ensuring optimal packaging quality. This means less film material while maintaining the same level of protection and lower overall costs. The film rolls are custom-cut to meet the specific needs of each packaging machine, thereby avoiding unnecessary material waste. All polyolefin fine-shrink films are available pre-perforated as standard, which leads to better packaging results and further reduces costs.
Sustainability and Recyclability
Polyolefin fine-shrink film is 100% recyclable in the LDPE04 stream and leaves a smaller environmental footprint than many other packaging materials. Unlike PVC-films, polyolefin shrink films are manufactured without harmful plasticizers or solvents—they are 100% food-safe and can be used as primary packaging for food. Thin gauges combined with high mechanical strength and low weight allow for material-efficient use while delivering optimal packaging results.
Our polyolefin films with a certified recycled content take it a step further. The use of PCR (post-consumer recycled material) and PIR (post-industrial recycled material) makes the polyolefin shrink wrap even more resource-efficient through the reuse of materials.
Specialty Films for Specific Requirements
In addition to our standard high-transparency films, our product line includes fine-shrink films with special additional features tailored to specific packaging requirements.
BF-Protective W and BF-Protective B – opaque protective films
For products that require privacy, security, and an attractive presentation, the opaque fine-shrink films BF-Protective W (white) and BF-Protective B (black) offer the ideal solution.
The white BF-Protective W offers a neutral, clean surface that is ideal as a printing substrate for brand logos and product information. With a thickness of 30 mµ, it is extremely durable and tear-resistant. The black BF-Protective B gives products a high-quality appearance and, thanks to its exceptional contrast, highlights the value of the packaged item.
Both films achieve a shrinkage rate of up to approximately 88% and feature high seal strength. The opacity prevents unauthorized persons from seeing the contents of the packaging—a significant advantage for high-value, security-sensitive, or discreet products. Typical applications include electronic devices and components, pharmaceutical products, cosmetics and personal care products, food items that must be protected from light and UV radiation, luxury goods, and items that require discretion and privacy.
BF Protective films
BF-Ultra S – the anti-slip film for stackable products
In the food industry and wherever packaged products are stacked, slip resistance plays an important role. The cross-linked soft-shrink film BF-Ultra S features a specifically reduced coefficient of friction, thereby preventing stacked products from slipping—whether in the warehouse, during transport, or on store shelves. This polyolefin film is highly transparent and glossy, and is available in the thinner 15 and 19 mµ versions, which enable material-saving packaging while maintaining high tear resistance. Like all “ films ” in our product line, BF-Ultra S is 100% food-safe and 100% recyclable in the LDPE04 recycling stream.
BF-Ultra S Film
An Overview of Additional Features
Depending on your requirements, our polyolefin fine-shrink films can be equipped with a wide range of additional features:
- Anti-fog equipment: Anti-fog function for the fresh produce and food sectors (BF-AF)
- Antistatic coating: antistatic treatment on both sides to protect electronic components and sensitive products (BF-E, BF-EX)
- Anti-slip feature: reduced coefficient of friction for safe stacking (BF-Ultra S)
- Opaque coloring: white (BF-Protective W), black (BF-Protective B), or gray (BF-Protective G) for privacy and brand presentation
- Perforation: hot-needled, available as perforation types P1 (small) or P2 (large) for optimal ventilation
- Printing: Up to 10 colors using gravure printing for company logos and product information
- High-Speed Optimization: for exceptionally high cycle rates on high-speed packaging machines (BF-Unique)
- Exceptional glide properties: for special processing requirements (BF-X)
Applications and Uses: From Food to Luxury Goods
The versatility of polyolefin fine-shrink film is evident in the wide range of its applications.
In the food industry, shrink film stands out for its reliable protection, food safety, and the ability to optimally package fresh products using anti-fog features or perforations. Whether it’s fruits and vegetables, meat and deli products, baked goods, or convenience foods—the high transparency ensures that the product looks appetizing and fresh at the point of sale. The anti-slip version, BF-Ultra S, offers additional stability when stacking packaged food items.
Food-safe filmsFor packaging paper and printed products such as books, magazines, calendars, or stationery, this highly transparent, glossy, and tear-resistant fine shrink film offers both protection and an eye-catching, sales-promoting appearance. The reduced-thickness films options allow for particularly material-efficient use.
In the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, protection, discretion, and aesthetics play a central role. The opaque BF-Protective W and BF-Protective B variants ensure that sensitive or confidential products are packaged securely and discreetly, while the high seal strength guarantees a reliable seal even under challenging storage and transport conditions.
Pharmaceutical filmsIn the electronics industry, polyolefin film protects sensitive components, smartphones, and devices from dust, moisture, and electrostatic charge—especially when combined with the antistatic coating on the BF-E and BF-EX micro-shrink films. The opaque versions also provide privacy protection for high-value or safety-critical components.
Electronic filmsIn the luxury goods, textiles, and non-food items sectors as well, polyolefin shrink film offers a professional packaging solution that combines product protection with high-quality product presentation.
Non-Food-filmsAn Overview of Our Line of Polyolefin Fine-Shrink Films
All heat-shrink films are available in various thicknesses, as half-tubing or flat film on a roll, with a choice of 76-mm or 152-mm film cores.
The Right Shrink Wrap for Your Needs
As a manufacturer and specialist with decades of experience, we offer not only a comprehensive range of high-quality polyolefin shrink films in a variety of thicknesses and types, but also the right packaging machines and excellent service—all from a single source.
Our in-house film packaging facility and large inventory make us extremely flexible: Custom packaging according to customer specifications is a given, and even in the event of shortages or urgent needs, we can arrange short-notice and express deliveries. Our team is always here to assist you with advice and support, backed by a large inventory of replacement parts and comprehensive consulting services.
Send us your inquiry or give us a call—we’ll provide you with personalized advice, with no obligation, so that together we can find the best packaging solution for your products.
