Stretch and Shrink Films
in the UAE
Category Snapshot
- Two Film Families, One Supplier: Stretch film for securing pallets and shrink film for wrapping individual products, covering both ends of your packing line.
- Manufactured in Dubai: Produced at our ISO-certified facility in Dubai Investments Park, giving reliable stock availability and short lead times across the UAE.
- Sustainable Options Available: Nano and Oxo-biodegradable stretch films help reduce plastic use and support packaging waste targets.
Stretch and shrink films are the two principal ways of wrapping goods in plastic film, and they work in opposite directions. Stretch film is pulled tight around a load and held in place by its own elastic tension. Shrink film is placed loosely around a product and then heated, causing it to contract and form a tight skin.
AAB Industries manufactures both film families at our facility in Dubai Investments Park. From high-speed pallet wrapping to retail shrink packaging, our films are supplied in bulk to customers across the UAE and the wider region.
What are Stretch and Shrink Films?
Stretch film is a highly elastic polyethylene film applied under tension. As it is stretched around a pallet, it tries to return to its original size, and that recovery force is what holds the load together. No heat is involved, which makes it fast, energy-free and ideal for unitising pallets.
Shrink film is a plastic film that contracts when heat is applied. The product is wrapped loosely, then passed through a heat tunnel or treated with a heat gun, and the film shrinks tightly around it. This gives a close-fitting, tamper-evident finish, which suits retail packs, multipacks and individual products.
In short, stretch film secures loads through tension, and shrink film seals products through heat.
Stretch Film vs Shrink Film
Film
- How it works
- Heat required
- Typical material
- Main use
- Finish
- Key benefit
- Typical setting
Stretch Film
- Stretched and applied under tension
- No
- Polyethylene (LLDPE)
- Securing palletised loads
- Tight elastic wrap around a load
- Fast, economical load containment
- Warehouse, distribution, transport
Shrink Film
- Wrapped loosely, then shrunk with heat
- Yes, heat tunnel or heat gun
- Polyolefin (POF) or polyethylene (PE)
- Wrapping individual products and multipacks
- Close-fitting skin around a product
- Tamper-evident, retail-ready presentation
- Production line, retail packing, food and beverage
Our Stretch Film Range
Stretch film is used to unitise and stabilise palletised goods, protecting them from movement, moisture and dust in transit.
Nano Stretch Film
A 67-layer cast film that holds the same load at a lower thickness, cutting plastic use per pallet. Available in standard and ultra grades for manual and machine applications.
Oxo-Biodegradable Stretch Film
A stretch film formulated to degrade more readily at the end of its life, for customers seeking a lower-impact alternative for pallet wrapping.
Our Shrink Film Range
Shrink film is used to wrap and seal individual products, multipacks and trays, giving a tight, tamper-evident finish.
POF Shrink Film
A high-clarity polyolefin film that shrinks tightly and evenly around products. Strong, puncture-resistant and food-safe, it is the standard choice for retail and food packaging.
PE Shrink Film
A tougher polyethylene film for larger and heavier items. Used for multipacks, bottled goods, industrial products and bundling, where strength matters more than clarity.
Film Selection Guide
Use this table to match the right film to the job. Our specialists can advise on gauge, width and grade for your loads and equipment.
Film
- Stretch Film
- Nano Stretch Film
- Oxo-Biodegradable Stretch Film
- POF Shrink Film
- PE Shrink Film
Type
- Stretch
- Stretch
- Stretch
- Shrink
- Shrink
Key Property
- Strong load retention, high clarity
- Same strength at lower thickness
- Degrades more readily at the end of life
- High clarity, and even shrink
- High strength, puncture-resistant
Best For
- General pallet wrapping, manual and machine
- Cutting plastic use, high-volume machine wrapping
- Lower-impact pallet wrapping
- Retail packs, food, presentation packaging
- Multipacks, bottles, heavy and industrial goods
Industrial Applications
Logistics and Palletising
Warehouses and distribution centres use stretch film to unitise pallets and keep loads stable through handling and transport. It protects goods from moisture, dust and mechanical damage in transit.
Food, Beverage and Retail
POF shrink film gives a clear, tight, tamper-evident finish for retail-ready packs. PE shrink film bundles bottled and canned goods into multipacks for distribution.
Manufacturing and Distribution
Production lines use shrink film to seal and present finished goods, while stretch film secures those goods onto pallets for despatch. Together, they cover the packing line from product to pallet.
Sustainable Film Options
Reducing plastic in transit packaging is a growing priority for UAE businesses. Our sustainable film options address this in two different ways.
Nano stretch film works through source reduction. Its 67-layer construction secures the same pallet with a much thinner film, so less plastic is used on every load. Oxo-biodegradable stretch film is formulated to break down more readily at the end of its life.
Both sit within our sustainable packaging range. Please speak to our team about which option best fits your operation and your local regulatory requirements.
Quality and Manufacturing
Our films are manufactured at our 20,000 sq ft facility in Dubai Investments Park. AAB Industries holds ISO 9001:2015 for quality management, ISO 14001:2015 for environmental management and ISO 45001:2018 for occupational health and safety.
Manufacturing locally means consistent film quality, reliable stock and short lead times, without the delays and variability that come with imported film.
Why Choose AAB Industries
Consistent product quality that meets international standards
Reliable supply chain and stock availability across the UAE
Formulated specifically for industrial and commercial use
Competitive pricing models for high-volume B2B orders
Request a Quote for Stretch and Shrink Films
AAB Industries is a leading manufacturer and supplier of stretch and shrink films across the UAE. We understand the high-volume requirements of the logistics, food and manufacturing sectors and provide tailored solutions to match your needs.
If you require guidance on selecting the right film, gauge or grade for your operation, our specialists are ready to help. Please reach out to our team to discuss your bulk supply requirements or to obtain a formal quotation for your business.
Stretch and Shrink Films FAQ
Q) What is the difference between stretch film and shrink film?
Stretch film is applied under tension and holds a load together through its own elastic recovery, with no heat needed. Shrink film is wrapped loosely and then heated, so it contracts tightly around the product. Stretch film secures pallets, while shrink film seals and presents individual products.
Q) Which film is used for pallet wrapping?
Stretch film is the standard choice for pallet wrapping. It is applied under tension by hand or machine and holds the load firmly without heat, making it fast and economical for high-volume despatch.
Q) What is the difference between POF and PE shrink film?
POF shrink film is highly clear, food-safe and shrinks evenly, which makes it ideal for retail and food packaging. PE shrink film is thicker and tougher, better suited to heavy or bulky items, multipacks and industrial bundling.
Q) Does shrink film need special equipment?
Yes. Shrink film needs heat to activate, applied either through a heat tunnel on a production line or with a handheld heat gun for lower volumes. Stretch film needs no heat and can be applied by hand or with a pallet wrapper.
Q) Which stretch film uses the least plastic?
Nano stretch film uses the least. Its 67-layer construction delivers the same load stability at a lower thickness, so less film is needed on every pallet, reducing plastic consumption and cost per load.
Q) Do you supply stretch and shrink films in bulk across the UAE?
Yes. We manufacture stretch and shrink films in Dubai and supply them in bulk to logistics, food, retail and manufacturing customers. Please contact us for bulk pricing and lead times.