Stretch film substitute - in goods stack transport // Dehnfolienersatz im Warenstapel-Transport 

                             Stretch Film - Replacement in Pallet Transport                              


Initial Situation – The Problem
Whether delicate fruit or heavy industrial components: Pallet stacks are almost always secured with stretch film. This often requires 30 meters or more of film per pallet – multi-layered, single-use, and non-reusable.

The Consequences:
Enormous amounts of plastic waste
High time and labor costs
Additional costs for film, disposal, and wrapping machines
Increasing environmental pollution from microplastics
The central question is therefore:

Must pallet securing continue to rely solely on single-use stretch film?

The Inventive New Solution
Driven by the motivation to fundamentally improve this system, the idea arose for a reusable, tensionable wrap as a replacement for str,,,etch film.

This device reliably secures stacks of goods:
# preventing slippage
# preventing them from falling apart
# for road, air, and sea transport

Construction of the sheathing
The sheathing consists of:
# a robust, lightweight and inexpensive net material, e.g. "barrier fence protective net made of PE plastic", approx. 1.20-1.80 m wide, 
# with two firmly attached hardwood strips (18 × 18 mm) at each end, 
# one of which has an integrated "ratchet strip" with a roll-up mechanism

The ratchet has:
# a Torx T60 head (½-inch drive)
# a connection for a standard cordless screwdriver
For global trade, an international standard would be beneficial to ensure compatibility.

Function – simple and efficient
# The palletizer wraps the netting once around the stack of goods.
# The two end strips are connected at the top and bottom with clips.
# The ratchet bar remains freely rotatable.
# The net is tightly rolled up using a cordless screwdriver.
# The stack of goods is immediately secured for transport.

Unwrapping & Return
At the destination:
# Unlocking via a button on the ratchet.
# Rolling the netting into a compact, wrinkle-free bar.
# Easy return transport together with loan pallets (e.g., deposit system).

The advantages at a glance:
⏱ Time savings
# Transport preparation in approximately ¾ of the previous time.
# No need to repeatedly move the pallet around.

💰 Cost reduction
# Drastic savings on stretch film.
# No wrapping machines required.
# Reduced personnel requirements (one person is sufficient).

🌱 Environment & Image
# Massive reduction of plastic waste.

Prevention of microplastics.
# Active contribution to environmental, air, and water protection.
# Positive, future-oriented image. Corporate Image

Area of Application
Suitable for:
# Block-shaped stacks of goods (the majority of all transport)
# Warehouses, freight forwarders, logistics centers of all sizes
# National and international supply chains
Not suitable (exceptional cases):
# Extremely misshapen or irregular goods that still require shrink wrapping

Economic Efficiency & Sustainability
Rapid amortization through:
# Reduced labor time
# Elimination of shrink wrap costs
# Circular system with deposit-return sleeves

Despite the plastic material:
# Significantly lower raw material consumption
# Functional upcycling instead of single-use plastic
# Every ton of stretch film saved means less microplastic and a measurable environmental benefit – a huge lever worldwide.

Concluding Thought
This device is:
# Technically simple
# Economically sound
# Ecologically essential
It can be manufactured, used, and marketed by any interested company – a real step away from the throwaway principle.

Anyone is free to produce and market this simple but useful device!


     © by Michael Thalhammer - Wien/Vienna, 28.02.2020 / KI-optimiert, Dec.2025
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See also: Downcycling plastic from rivers in the button after next.