Macro-perforated stretch film

Macro-perforated film is stretch film with regular holes along the whole length of the film. It holds the pallet just like conventional film, but it does not seal it: air passes through the load. That difference, which seems like a detail, is what decides the condition in which fruit reaches its destination.

A pallet of fruit wrapped in continuous film becomes a closed chamber. Chilled air does not reach the boxes in the centre, the moisture given off by the produce stays inside and condensation appears, with the mould that comes with it. With macro-perforated film, the cold passes through the load and the pallet cools evenly. That is why it is used for fruit, vegetables and cut flowers, and for any product that comes out of packing still warm.

Compared with unperforated hand and machine film, the balance changes. You give up part of the barrier against dust and outside moisture and any airtightness; in exchange, you gain ventilation. To make up for the perforations, it works at slightly greater thicknesses: 17, 20 and 23 microns, with 500 mm as the usual width. If your pallet waits outdoors or on an open dock and does not need to breathe, conventional film protects better.

It is available in a hand version, for manual wrapping, and a machine version, for stretch wrappers. Consumption per pallet varies and depends on the application, the height of the load and the number of turns. It is often combined with edge protectors on the corners, and in netting or fruit tray packing the principle is the same: let the produce breathe, from the box to the pallet.

At Fontanet Group, from Fraga (Huesca), in the heart of the Ebro valley fruit and vegetable area, and with a team that has more than 30 years in the sector, we advise you on when you need macro-perforated film and in which version. Micron thickness, reel format and samples are confirmed with our sales team.