What Is Stretch Hood Film and How It Works

What it is: Stretch hood film is a continuous, tubular sheet of stretchable polyethylene—commonly linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) or blends designed for high elasticity—used to form a tight hood over palletized goods. In a typical application a machine stretches a tube of the film then places or lowers it over a loaded pallet; when the film is released it contracts and grips the load, creating secure containment and a protective cover.

How it differs from other protective films: Unlike shrink film, which needs heat to conform tightly to the load, stretch hood film relies on its elastic memory and machine-applied pre-stretch to produce a snug, helmet-like fit. Compared with conventional stretch wrap (sheeted film applied by wrapping), stretch hooding offers full top coverage and a more consistent seal, especially for tall or oddly shaped loads. It also often provides better weather resistance and tamper evidence because it covers the full top and sides of a pallet.

Materials and basic properties: Most stretch hood films are produced by blown-film extrusion in tubular form. Typical base resins include LLDPE, metallocene polyethylene (mPE) or blends that balance strength, elongation, and elastic recovery. Films commonly range in thickness from roughly 50 to 200 microns (0.05–0.20 mm), though gauges vary by application. Additives such as UV stabilizers, antistatic agents, slip and antiblock enhancers, and recycled content can be included depending on protection or sustainability needs.

Typical machinery and operation: Stretch hood systems can be floor-level semi-automatic machines or high-speed automatic inline hooders integrated into palletizing lines. The basic steps are:

1. Load the pallet in the machine footprint (manually or via conveyors).
2. A tubular film is gripped and mechanically or pneumatically pre-stretched horizontally and/or vertically.
3. The stretched hood is placed over or lowered onto the pallet load.
4. The film is released and allowed to elastically recover, clinging tightly to the pallet sides and top.
5. Optionally, a heat-seal, welding bar, or cold-knife cuts the tube to prepare the next hood.

Many industrial hooders can apply hoods at 20–90+ pallets per minute depending on configuration, and they can handle a wide range of pallet heights without mechanical changeover.

Primary benefits:

• Secure load containment with consistent, full-top coverage.
• Weather and dust protection—film forms a continuous top sheet, protecting from rain and UV when stabilized.
• Improved pallet stability, especially for lightweight, high or uneven loads that benefit from top-to-side tension.
• Faster application and less manual labor than hand-applied stretch wrap for high-volume operations.
• Good tamper-evident properties because the top is sealed by the hood.

Common uses and industries: Stretch hood film is widely used in beverage and can/bottle industries (returnable pallets, kegs), building materials (insulation rolls, plasterboard), bagged goods (fertilizer, flour), paper and tissue rolls, and any sector that ships palletized goods needing consistent weather protection and containment. It’s especially useful where tops of pallets need to be clean and dry or where products extend beyond pallet edges.

Customization and variations: Manufacturers supply films with different mechanical properties (higher puncture resistance, increased tack, faster elastic recovery), widths, and pre-printed branding or handling instructions. Some films incorporate ventilation holes or bespoke die-cut patterns for products that require breathing. Recyclable and post-consumer recycled (PCR) content options are increasingly available for sustainability-minded operations.

Practical example: A beverage bottling plant switching from hand-applied stretch wrap to an automatic stretch hood system saw several operational advantages: more consistent containment for tall pallets of shrink-wrapped multipacks, better protection from rain during outdoor storage, and faster through-put that reduced labor costs. The hooded pallets also traveled better through automated warehousing conveyors and were easier to inspect for tamper evidence at distribution centers.

Beginner tips: If you’re just evaluating stretch hood film, consider load profile (height, weight, shape), required protection level (UV, moisture), throughput requirements, and whether you need ventilation or printed branding on the film. Start with sample loads to fine-tune machine tension and pre-stretch settings—small adjustments greatly affect hold and film usage.

In short, stretch hood film is a robust, efficient method for securing palletized goods with consistent top and side coverage that excels where weather protection, stability, and speed matter. It’s distinct from shrink and conventional stretch wrapping and is a proven solution in many high-volume distribution and manufacturing environments.