A stretch hood solutions that fits your packaging
Packaging protects a product. But what protects the package? That’s a big question as e-commerce and cargo shipments drive more and more products around the world. Unsaleable or returned goods due to transport damage cost millions of dollars each year. Finding a better way to keep shipments safe and secure benefits the entire value chain.
Stretch hood protection
Stretch hood packaging encloses shipping pallets in a single sheath of high-performance film, top to bottom. Stretch hood packaging offers five-sided protection: The top is closed to ensure products stay dry and to provide protection against ultra-violet radiation. The four side panels are also solid and further reduce the risk of weather damage, while providing exceptional stability and holding force.
The stretch hood film extends below the bottom edge of the pallet, tightly wrapping around the bottom edge to completely secure the load. The result? Products stay put on their pallets.
Benefits of stretch hood films across the value chain

Efficient and cost competitive hooder film production
- Fast extrusion speed with best thickness tolerance
- Downgauge optimization 40-150 μm
- Lower weight solutions for higher yield per roll
- EVA-free solution
- Single component optimization customized for end use

Efficient and cost competitive stretch hood packing
- Packing speed with up to 200 pallets/hour
- Elevated levels of elastic recovery for broad application range
- Technology applicable for pressure and temperature sensitive goods
- Lower energy consumption and maintenance cost compared to shrink hood technology

Durable stretch films for safe transport and brand promotion
- Excellent optical properties and high quality printing allowing constant brand recognition
- Tamper evident packaging (security)
- Technology applicable for pressure and temperature sensitive goods

Stronger hooder films that reduce wasted goods
- Higher holding force, high puncture and tear resistance for edge and corner stability
- Reduction of injuries from packaging failure
- Five-sided weather and dirt protection
- Tamper evident packaging (security)
- Excellent optical properties allowing easy bar code reading
Resins for stretch hood film manufacturers
At Dow, we’ve been working with industry experts and developing films for stretch hood for close to 30 years. We even have our own stretch hood line and transportation packaging test labs at Pack Studios Freeport in Texas. You can trust our portfolio of resins and our suggestions for how to mix and match them for the best results.
Take for example, ELITE™ AT Enhanced Polyethylene Resins, an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) free solution for stretch hood films offering unique holding force, elasticity recovery, optics and toughness. In addition, we offer DOWLEX™ GM LLDPE Resins and VERSIFY™ Plastomers & Elastomers for stretch hood films.
Suggested stretch hood structures deliver excellent elasticity for films that conform tightly to the contours of the packaged goods. Excellent toughness and puncture resistance are key. Good tear resistance is another advantage. You may even achieve holding force at lower densities and be able to downgauge for lower raw material costs and CO2 reductions.
The stretch hood process itself offers many advantages:
Stretch hood |
Stretch Wrap |
|
Pallet loads wrapped per hour | <100 | ~60 |
Pallets wrapped per roll | 800 - 1,200 | ~150 |
Roll changed in hours | 5 - 12 | Several |
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