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In producing their products, net wrap manufacturers will normally use a substance called High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). HDPE is essentially a thermoplastic resin that is created from ethylene, a type of chemical molecule. Polyethylene also happens to be the most commonly used type of polymer in the industry, thanks to its strength-weight balance property.
Manufacturing Net Wrap with the Right Material
HDPE is created through polymerization, a process that is also known as “cracking”. Through this process, net wrap manufacturers will combine Mers, which are small molecules, together to form Polymers, the larger molecules. In the production of net wrap, the polymer resin is extruded, and the molecules are arranged along the strand. This results in a plastic material that has high strength.
The result is a material that is lightweight but is capable of withstanding the kind of extreme force exerted by something as heavy and dense as a round bale. There are two stages involved in the production of net wrap. The film will first be extruded to make a wide film, and then the sheet is rolled up, forming a large primary roll. From there, the rolls will be slit to form narrow tapes, which are knitted by looms to create a mesh of a net.
Typically, net wrap manufacturers will use a material that is heavier and thicker to improve the strength of plastic agricultural packaging. While effective, this results in a finished product that is both too thick and too heavy. To the production of net wrap, the use of such a heavy material will result in a roll that comes with a bigger weight and greater diameter.
It would be difficult—if not impossible—to maintain an ideal roll weight and diameter to fit in the baler if a roll with a longer length is needed. Making a product that is longer and has higher strength without it becoming too big in diameter and too heavy is not possible when using standard raw material.
How Net Wrap Manufacturers Produce Net Wrap
Several net wrap manufacturers produce net wrap using different types of HDPE. Resins of better quality and high grade will make polymers that are higher in strength. Conversely, resins of poor grade produce a material that is not as strong for the similar weight of raw material.
Some manufacturers are less sophisticated in their production method thus are not able to come up with reliable products. Even worse, some don’t even know how to develop modern materials to manufacture quality net wrap.
As a result, they have to resort to old methods that are considered outdated. This leads them to rely too much on the standard raw material, which is heavier. They will continuously use these heavy materials to be able to at least reach the minimum threshold for both strength and quality of the products.
Other more technologically advanced net wrap manufacturers may be able to come up with their formulation for the products. The new technology of production can be employed in conjunction with newly formulated HDPE resin to create net wrap products that are lighter in weight but with more strength compared to those made of standard material.
What Net Wrap Manufacturers Do for the Environment
Another concern for major net wrap manufacturers would be how to keep the environmental impact of their products in check. Net wrap that is of poor quality will degrade pretty quickly, crumbling into smaller particles that will not break down for centuries. This poses a challenge for the manufacturers as it means that their products do not contribute to the damage of the ecosystem.
Producing net wrap of lighter weight is a good start. The process will involve significantly less plastic than the standard material for the same length. In addition, as the production focuses more on strength as well, the resulting final products should be able to durable enough to withstand the forces of the bale. As such, they will not crumble easily even as they are exposed to the elements and UV lights.
Silopak is one such net wrap manufacturers that focus on making sure the clients get only the best of every aspect possible. We are committed to taking care of our planet, too, as our products are durable and recyclable. Contact us for further information or to solve some questions you currently have on your mind.