Modern plastic strapping offers manufacturers a reliable and cost-effective way to secure palletised loads, building materials, industrial products and packaged goods. However, selecting the right strapping involves more than simply choosing a width or thickness. Load weight, transportation conditions and packaging methods all influence which solution will deliver the best performance.

Why strapping selection matters
Strapping performs a simple but essential function: keeping products securely together until they reach their destination.
An unsuitable strap may lose tension, become damaged during transport or fail to provide sufficient load stability. This can result in damaged goods, increased handling costs and unnecessary delays within the supply chain.
Selecting the appropriate strapping solution helps manufacturers improve transport reliability while protecting both products and packaging.

Understanding PET and PP strapping
Plastic strapping is generally available in two primary material types, each suited to different packaging requirements.

PET strapping
PET strapping is designed for demanding industrial applications where high tensile strength and long-term tension retention are essential.
It combines strength with flexibility, allowing it to absorb shocks during transportation while maintaining load stability. This makes PET strapping particularly suitable for heavier products and long-distance shipments.

Typical applications include:

• Building materials
• Timber
• Metal products
• Industrial pallets
• Export shipments
• Heavy packaged goods

PP strapping
PP strapping is a lightweight and economical solution for lighter packaging applications.
It is commonly used where loads are smaller, transportation conditions are less demanding and high tensile strength is not the primary requirement.

Typical applications include:

• Cartons
• Consumer goods
• Food packaging
• Distribution centres
• Retail packaging

Choosing between PET and PP depends largely on the weight of the load, transportation conditions and the required level of tension retention.
Factors to consider when choosing strapping
Every application is different, but several factors should always be considered during material selection.

Load weight
Heavier products require higher tensile strength to maintain load stability throughout transportation.

Transportation conditions
Long-distance transport, export shipments and multiple handling stages place greater demands on packaging materials than local deliveries.

Packaging equipment
The selected strapping should be compatible with existing manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic strapping systems.

Storage conditions
Environmental conditions such as temperature changes and prolonged storage periods can influence long-term strap performance.
Considering these factors together helps manufacturers select a solution that balances performance, efficiency and cost.

More than the strap itself
Reliable packaging depends not only on the material, but also on consistent manufacturing quality.

Uniform dimensions, stable mechanical properties and reliable production processes contribute to predictable performance across every production batch.
Manufacturers also benefit from additional options such as customised widths, different performance grades and branded strapping that supports product identification throughout the supply chain.

Supporting safer and more efficient logistics
Industrial packaging is often viewed as the final stage of manufacturing, but it plays an important role in protecting product quality and reducing waste.
Selecting the right strapping helps minimise transport damage, improve handling efficiency and support more reliable deliveries across increasingly complex global supply chains.

As manufacturers continue to optimise production and logistics, packaging materials remain an important part of overall operational performance.

Choosing the right strapping partner
Selecting industrial strapping is about more than meeting a minimum breaking strength. It involves understanding the application, the transportation environment and the long-term performance required from the material.

At Polivektris PET, we manufacture high-performance PET and PP strapping solutions for a wide range of industrial applications. Our portfolio includes standard, heavy-duty and customised products designed to deliver reliable load securing, consistent quality and dependable supply for manufacturers worldwide.
Looking for reliable industrial strapping?

Whether you need PET strapping for demanding industrial loads or PP strapping for everyday packaging, our specialists can help you identify the right solution for your application.