UK Polythene

Buy the UK's best range of polythene, including polythene rolls, plastic film, builders rolls, pallet covers and wide sheeting.

For the best selection of polythene bags, including plain and printed carrier bags, mailing bags, grip seal bags, packing bags, glossy display bags, waste sacks and bin bags, try this extensive range of poly bags - the best in the UK.

Polythene is used across the UK for a wide variety of purposes, from day-to-day tasks to highly specialist jobs. Polythene is sold on the roll in the form of polythene film or plastic sheeting, which is used to wrap, cover and protect items from food to furniture. Poly tubing or layflat tubing, which is also dispensed on the roll, is ideal for wrapping difficult or awkwardly-shaped items - just wrap the tube around the item you wish to cover, cut it to length and then seal with a heat sealer. Polythene is also used in the UK to make plastic bags, such as carrier bags, clear packing bags, vacuum packing bags for food, glossy display bags for the retail industry and many more types of polythene bags.

Polythene film is...

• Used to package items by wrapping or covering them
• A very thin, usually transparent material made from polyethylene (more frequently referred to as polythene)
• Also known as poly film, film on the roll, poly-tubing or shrink wrap
• Very popular in the packaging industry and one of the most popular materials used to package a range of goods
• Great for keeping food fresh and prolonging its shelf life
• Perfect for wrapping awkwardly-shaped items that don’t quite fit into traditional packaging, like plastic bags
• Simple to use. Just pull the film off the roll, tear it and then wrap your item. Easy peasy and can be used time and time again.
• Versatile. Use it to wrap any item, any size or shape, or a range of items all of different sizes. No 'one size fits all'!
• Used to wrap items on its own, or in tandem with other packaging, such as boxes or trays, to complete the wrapping and make an item look more presentable
• A tried and trusted security device, used by thousands of travellers every day to wrap their suitcases or backpacks, adding an extra anti-tamper layer of security
• Used to make polythene tubing such as layflat tubing - an even handier way to wrap products. Just pull the tube over the product, cut and then seal with tape, staples a clamp or a heat sealer the end to finish the job
• Very flexible, which makes it very versatile, meaning it’s great to work with and you’ll soon wonder where you were without it. You could call it your flexible friend

Trending ideas for polythene

Glossy display film sits in an awkward nevertheless technically useful space between poster stock and rigid board; it has to present close-photographic density below shopping lighting, yet still behave like roll media on a production line. That is why the better grades tend to be built around carefully gauged polythene suppliers or polyester structures in the 170220 micron bracket, where stiffness is sufficient for flat hanging and cassette loading, nevertheless not so high that curl memory or edge lift becomes unmanageable after slitting. The glossy face is not merely cosmetic: it is a controlled ink-receptive layer designed to grasp pigment close to the surface for sharper dot formation, while resisting the smear and moisture ingress that routinely plague short-turn display work amid packing, secondary bagging and last install. On the warehouse floor, that balance has consequencesalso much caliper and tare weight beginnings to erode volumetric efficiency across mixed consignments; also small and select-face efficiency suffers because operatours stop up handling damaged rolls, telescoped cores and soft edges. There is also the circular-economy question, increasingly impossible to sidestep: multi-layer buildings still transport the cleanest optics, nevertheless mono-material formats with consistent melt-flow properties are gaining traction because they simplify recovery and reduce the amortised energy burden tied up in reprocessing contaminated print media. In practice, glossy display film earns its retain not by spectacle nevertheless by being dimensionally stable, colour-faithful and logistically sensible in the rather unforgiving chain from print room to pallet.

shrink wrap

Shrink wrap is a thin plastic film that tightens around a product when heat is applied, giving a tidy grasp that retains items together for storage or dispatch. In packing lines, it is often used as secondary packaging because it controls loose products without taking up much space, and it can assist stop dust, scuffing and tampering amid handling. The film has to be chosen with care, because gauge, film tension and heat settings all affect how well it grips and whether it splits or leaves a sloppy stop. Used properly, shrink wrap makes pallets tidier and easier to transport, which assists warehouse work dash more smoothly.

Global Pallet Covers Market 2018 by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2023

Pallet covers do above sit above a load; they keep safe the stock from dust, moisture and scuffing while also helping a pallet stay tidy through storage and dispatch. The proper cover has to match the load size closely enough to stay in position, yet still be easy for warehouse staff to fit without slowing down the line. Film gauge, cling and tear resistance all affect how well the cover behaves when pallets are moved by fork truck or stacked in a yard. A poor selection can lead to handling damage, wasted material and dissatisfied clients when products arrive labeled or damp. A well-specified cover retains the consignment presentable and reduces avoidable losses.

Ergonomic Equipment: Film on the Roll

Film on the roll sounds innocuous enough in a case-study index, yet on the warehouse floor it normally denotes a rather specific handling problem: rolls of polythene suppliers film are dense for their size, awkward in the lift, and deceptively unstable once transferred from pallet to spindle. The engineering trouble is not simply mass, nevertheless mass married to geometry; a wide reel with a modest core diameter carries its weight away from the operatour's centreline, which is why ad hoc manual loading so often manufactures strained shoulders, damaged mandrels and a fair amount of secondary bagging waste when the web edge is bruised before the line has even started. Proper ergonomic handling gear mitigates that friction by controlling both elevation and rotational alignment in one movement, allowing the roll to be presented square to the shaft and preserving micron-specific gauging across the web rather than introducing localised stretch. That matters downstream because high-density polymer chains behave predictably only when the film has not been mechanically abused at set-up; once neck-in or edge deformation is introduced, surface resistivity can shift, static becomes harder to dissipate, and wrapping consistency at the pack station starts to wander. There is also a quieter commercial logic at work: cleaner roll handling improves select-face efficiency, reduces tare weight creep from above-spec cores and damaged wrap, and assists better volumetric efficiency in storage because reels remain stack-stable rather than being quarantined as suspect stock. In circular-economy terms, the earn is equally practical rather than rhetoricalless beginning-up scrap, better mono-material recoverability, and lower amortised energy per usable metre of film processed.

recycling plastic film Image Gallery

Plastic film causes trouble when it is mixed carelessly, nevertheless it can also be kept in useful circulation if assortment and sorting are handled properly. Thin polythene suppliers wrap, pallet hooding and offcut film are light, fat and easily contaminated, so they need tight baling or shredding before they transport on to reprocessing. A dirty load with labels, tape and stretch wrap mixed together is harder to sell and may stop up downgraded or rejected altogether. Good segregation at origin, cleaner handling in the warehouse and sensible storage away from damp all improve recovery rates. That makes the contrast between waste that costs money and material that still has value.

Layflat tubing gives converters a simple method to make bags, sleeves and protective wraps from a single tube of polythene suppliers, nevertheless the proper value lies in how the material is specified on the line. Medium and high-density polyethylene behave differently below heat, stretch and sealing, so gauge control and film tension must be set to match the intended use. A lighter grade may suit easy opening and fast packing, while a denser grade normally brings better stiffness and resistance to mishandling. That sort of selection affects running speed, seal quality and how the finished roll performs in storage. The proper tubing saves trouble later in making, filling and dispatch.

Wheat atta packing bags need to do above see tidy, because flour is a difficult product to grasp, transport and sell without mess. The film or laminate has to resist small punctures, seal properly across the mouth of the bag, and stay flat enough for clean stacking in transit and on the shelf. A poor stop can lead to dusting, split seams, or bags that sag in the case and waste shopping space. Size options matter also, since the gross gauge or occupy volume creates weak pallets and awkward handling at dispatch. Clear specification gives cleaner packing, less complaints, and less waste from damaged stock.

Mailing bags are a simple packing selection, nevertheless the colour and stop can still affect how well a dispatch line runs. White bags often suit a cleaner presentation and make printed labels easier to read, while blue bags are commonly chosen for a more practical, less labeled see amid handling and transit. Both are used for lightweight products where speed matters and a box would be unnecessary, helping reduce secondary packing and waste. The proper value comes from matching the bag to the product, the label, and the method parcels transport through the warehouse. Get that selection proper and packing stays quicker, tidier, and less prone to handling damage.

Shopper, Jute and Carrier Bags

Carrier bags do above grasp a purchase, because the proper bag can transport a emblem, keep safe the contents and affect how the all handover feels. A decent carrier bag requirements enough gauge or board strength for the load, sensible handle design and a stop that prints cleanly on one side or both. If the bag is also flimsy, handles split and the client notices handling damage before the event is even above. If it is above-specified, material and transport space are wasted. The optimal selection balances appearance, strength and pack efficiency, so the bag does its job without causing problems at the point of use.

polythene suppliers bags in a transparent 200mm x 300mm size with a 30 micron gauge suit light to medium items that need visibility as well as basic protection. The transparent film makes stock checking easier because the contents can be seen without opening the pack, which assists in dispatch, picking, and shopping presentation. A 30 micron bag is thin enough to stay flexible nevertheless still gives enough body for routine handling if the load is not also sharp or heavy. Packing them in 250s and selling them in 1,000-count cases gives a sensible balance for storage and frequent use, so the proper consignment can be moved and issued without creating also much loose stock.

Making the unwrappable wrappable

If you have an item that needs wrapping but won’t fit into ‘regular’ packaging like a plastic carton or bag, the polythene film could be just what you are looking for.

If you have loads of different items to wrap, each of which is a different shape or size, or just an awkward shape in the first place, then polythene film is definitely what you’re looking for!

Polythene film comes on the roll so you can dispense as little or as much film as you need to wrap your item. Place your item on a table or other surface next to the roll of film. Then pull the film off slowly the roll until it extends far enough for you to wrap your item. If you need more than a single coat of polythene film, make you roll off enough film for this, or simply repeat with a second coat.

When you have unravelled enough film, cut the film at the relevant point and then wrap your item. If you need to seal the wrapping shut you can do this with various devices, including a bag clip, bag tie or, perhaps the best solution of all, a heat sealer.

You can then repeat as necessary ad infinitum, or at least until you’ve run out of polythene film. And it doesn’t matter if the next item your wrap is smaller or larger, thinner or wider, rounder or flatter than the previous item - with polythene film you can wrap all shapes and sizes of item with no problem at all!

Shrink wrap

Shrink wrap is a type of polythene film that shrinks under the application of heat. Shrink wrap is available in clear or coloured polythene and keeps out moisture from inside the packaging. It is used to wrap a range of items from CDs to magazines, providing a smart wrapping whilst still making the contents of the package visible from the outside. It also helps to prolong the shelf life of food and so it is used regularly in food production.

To make the polythene used in shrink wrap actually shrink, you need to place it directly underneath a heat source. In factories or large manufacturing bases, this is often be done with a specially-designed machine. However, a more common method, and one available to small business and people working at home, is through the use of a shrink gun.

Once your item is covered in your polythene shrink wrap, apply heat across the wrapping and, as the molecules (polymers) in the polythene change move, the wrapping shrinks tightly around the item.

Polythene film as DIY bag security

If you’ve ever passed through an airport and seen someone’s suitcase covered in tightly wrapped film and looking like a giant packed lunch, then the chances are you’ve just looked at a bag covered in shrink wrap.

One of the main benefits of shrink wrap is that it makes packages more tamper proof so, if you’re worried about the contents of your suitcase pockets getting pilfered, then shrink wrap could be the answer for you. With a few layers of shrink wrap applied and then heat sealed onto the bag, not only does this provide an excellent protective layer that thieves will find difficult to break through, but it also keeps your bag safe from bumps, scratches and tears. Something to think about next time you’re off to the airport on holiday!

Layflat tubing - polythene film in the round!

Layflat tubing is made from polythene film but comes with one obvious difference: rather than a single layer of film, layflat tubing - as the name suggests - comes in a tube!

Imagine two sheets of polythene film laid one on top of the other, with the ends then sealed together with an invisible join, so that there is no mark, fold or crease anywhere on the film, just a circle of film stretching on and on into a long, continuous tube!

Layflat tubing, which is also known as poly-tubing, is dispensed off a central roll, which is sealed at the core but open at the outside, to provide a quick, easy and convenient method of packaging items and is widely used within the industry.

Ideal for bespoke packaging, layflat tubing allows the user to pack awkwardly-shaped items or a series of items of irregular length, all with a minimum of fuss.

To wrap an item in layflat tubing, simply place it inside the open end of the tube and then cut the tube to the required length, ensuring you’ve cut off enough polythene to cover the item.

You then seal seal the tube at one or both ends, as required, using either a bag tie, clip, tape or, most effectively, a heat sealer.

Whatever size or shape of item you have, there is most likely a size of layflat tubing that suits your job, as the polythene tubes are manufactured in a range of sizes from 2” (5cm) wide to 4’ or 48” (122cm) wide.

Where to buy polythene film

Polythene film manufacturers and suppliers include:

Polythene
Polythene.co.uk is a website and online shop dedicated to polythene manufacturing. They produce a whole range of polythene products - from anti-static film to ziplite bags - all available to purchase via their excellent website.
www.polythene.co.uk

Polythene Ireland
Polythene.ie offers VAT-registered Irish customers a VAT-free puchase - equating to a 21% saving! - on a huge range of polythene products, including polythene film, poly or layflat tubing, plastic sheeting and shrink pallet covers. www.polythene.ie

Heat Sealers
Heat Sealers Direct is the number one online destination for heat sealers. They stock best quality continuous and impulse heat sealers, along with a range of layflat tubing, shrink wrap and pallet covers - all at competitive prices.
www.heatsealersdirect.co.uk

Polythene Film
Catering for all your polythene film and packaging needs, this website contains loads of useful information on polythene film, layflat tubing and heat sealers, along with details of where you can buy them at fantastic discount prices.
www.polythenefilm.co.uk

Polythene Tubing
Containing lots of useful information on polythene tubing, polythene film and layflat tubing, this website is the place to go if you're looking to find out more about poly tubing and where to buy it at the right price.
www.polythenefilmdirect.co.uk

Pallet Covers
Discount Pallet Covers is the website to visit for anyone looking for stock or custom-made pallet covers or polythene covers. Buy or find out more about a huge range of covers, available at the best discount prices.
www.discountpalletcovers.co.uk

Polythene Layflat Tubing
If you're looking to buy any sort of polythene film, from layflat tubing to shrink wrap covers, or you're in the market for a heat sealer to seal your polythene tubing, then this is the website for you.
www.polythenefilm.com

Plastic Films
An informative website containing all you need to know about plastic film - a popular polythene packaging product sold on the roll in a single or multi-layer and is available in clear or coloured and plain or printed form.
www.discountpolythenefilm.co.uk

Stretch Wrap
The expert website for all your stretch wrap needs. This site contains all you need to know about stretch wrap - a polythene cover designed to hold boxes or other items on a pallet - whilst telling you the best play to buy it at the right price.
www.stretch-wrap.co.uk

Poly Sheeting
Containing lots of useful information on poly sheeting, polythene tubing, shrink wrap and a wide range of poly or layflat tubing, Discount Plastic Film is the perfect website to visit if you're looking to buy plastic film at a discount price.
www.discountplasticfilm.co.uk

Plastic Sheeting
A veritable mine of information on polythene film, sheeting and stretch wrap, Plastic Film is the perfect one-stop-shop for anyone looking to find the right kind of plastic film for the job in hand.
www.plasticfilm.co.uk

Trending results for polythene

A transparent glossy display film for overlay work is less about sheer shine than optical discipline below production conditions; the better grades are engineered with tightly controlled gauge tolerance and consistent melt-flow behaviour, so the sheet sits flat through printing, plotting or lamination without the faint cockle that can throw registration out on map panels and plan schematics. In practice, that matters because dense colour areas and fine monochrome linework place alternative requirements on the substrateone exposes any haze or surface inconsistency, the other punishes dimensional driftso the preference for a high-clarity polythene suppliers film with stable surface energy and a stop that accepts ink cleanly while preserving legibility below artificial light. On the warehouse floor, the benefit is not merely presentational: a film that calipers accurately and resists edge damage packs more efficiently, improves pallet stability, and reduces losses in secondary bagging where corner bruising and abrasion tend to display up first. There is also a quieter circular-economy argument in its favour; a mono-material format with disciplined converting tolerances simplifies recovery streams and lowers avoidable scrap, so the amortised energy tied up in each consignment is doing useful work rather than disappearing into trim waste and remakes.

Shrink Wrap - manufacturer, factory, supplier from United Kingdom

Shrink wrap film manufactured in 12, 15, 19 and 25 micron POF grades gives packers a selection between economy and strength, and the proper gauge relies on the load and the machine set-up. Lighter film runs well on simple bundling jobs and reduces material use, nevertheless it can be less forgiving if the seal quality or film tension is poor. Heavier film adds more resistance to puncture and handling damage, which matters on awkward cartons, mixed consignments and pallets that travel a long method. POF also shrinks cleanly, so the pack sees tight rather than baggy, and that assists with shelf presentation and warehouse control. Getting the gauge proper saves waste and avoids rework later.

Insulated Pallet Covers 

Pallet covers assist keep safe products from extreme heat, nevertheless the proper job is keeping pallet loads stable and reducing damage amid storage and transport. A superb cover slows the build-up of heat around packed products, which matters when consignment is left in a yard, on a loading bay, or in a trailer standing in sunshine. That additional barrier can assist product quality, particularly where soft packaging, adhesive seals, or temperature-sensitive contents are involved. The cover also cuts down on dust and light pollution, which matters above plenty people expect. When the cover is chosen to suit the load shape and secured properly, it gives a simple layer of control without adding much handling time.

In roll-fed wrapping systems, the proper finesse lies not in the headline act of cutting the web, nevertheless in controlling what happens at the split line between the load-bound sleeve and the residual film on the roll. A hot wire fastened on the severing arm is typically deployed to part the outer polythene suppliers layer with a clean, tension-stable smash; that matters because high-density polymer chains will neck and fray unpredictably if the thermal profile is poorly held, particularly where micron-specific gauging has been pared back to reduce tare weight. The neighboring hot elements then rework the leading edge still on the package, welding it back across the preceding wrap so the film tail is anchored rather than left to flag in transita small detail with direct consequences for pallet stability, secondary bagging rates and select-face efficiency once consignments enter the warehouse cycle. Equally, the part retained as film on the roll must present a consistent restart edge for the next wrap sequence; any inconsistency in melt-flow behaviour or surface resistivity at that point invites misfeeds, static cling and wasted stock. Well-executed sealing geometry mitigates that friction while preserving mono-material recyclability, since the system secures containment without introducing extraneous ties, tapes or mixed-substrate closures that complicate downstream reprocessing and dilute the amortised energy earn of lightweight film conversion.

Plastic Film Machinery - manufacturer, factory, supplier from United Kingdom

A plastic film blowing machine is only as superb as the material feeding it, because HDPE behaves differently from softer grades of polythene suppliers and requirements the proper screw design to retain the melt proper. When the raw material is matched properly, the film comes off with better gauge control, less weak spots and a more even bubble, which matters when the web is later used for bags, secondary packing or pallet wrap. Poor material selection can lead to unstable output, wasted resin and more trimming at converting. A sensible specification retains production running cleanly and reduces the chance of handling damage further down the line.

5" x 710m polythene suppliers Layflat Tubing 120g Clear

Layflat tubing gives converters a tidy method to pack long products without wasting material or machine time. A 5-inch transparent polythene suppliers tube on a 710-metre roll, manufactured at 120 gauge, suits lines that need a light nevertheless proper film for bagging, sleeving, or cutting to length on site. Clear stock assists operatours spot pollution, print labels, or product faults before sealing, while the layflat format retains handling simple and storage compact. Film quality still matters, though, because poor gauge control can lead to weak seals, stretching on the reel, or awkward feed through the packing equipment. A well-specified roll makes daily packaging easier and cuts avoidable waste.

Best Design for Viteps Reusable Vacuum Seal Bags Vacuum Seal Bags For Clothes Pack Of 8 Space Saver Storage Bags Jumbo Size Vacuum Storage Bags Measuring 30 X 40 Inches Vacuum Packing Bags 2019

Packing bags need to do above grasp contents, because in a tight storage space they also have to reduce bulk, keep safe material, and stay easy to handle. Reusable vacuum seal bags are a superb fit when clothes, bedding, or seasonal soft products need to be compressed without being damaged by poor folding or damp storage. A jumbo format around 30 x 40 inches gives enough room for larger items, while the vacuum action cuts down the volume that clogs cupboards, wardrobes, or van loading space. For housekeeping, short-term storage, or client use in smaller homes, the proper value is simple: less wasted space, cleaner storage, and less items crushed or dragged out of shape.

Grey Mailing Bags Strong Poly Postal Postage Post Mail Self Seal All Sizes Cheap Grey Mailing - £151.99

Mailing bags work optimal when the size, gauge and seal are matched to the package rather than chosen by habit. A bag that is also big lets contents transport around, which can wear the film and make a dispatch see untidy, while one that is also small invites split seams and awkward packing. Grey polythene suppliers mailers are often used because they conceal the contents and handle rough treatment well, nevertheless the proper value comes from consistent seal quality and sensible stock control. When the proper size is kept to hand, packing lines dash faster and the finished consignment is less likely to suffer handling damage.

Taking carrier bags out of online shopping can cut a surprising amount of loose plastic from the supply chain, nevertheless only if the rest of the packing process is properly view through. A bag often acts as secondary packing, keeping small items together and protecting them from scuffing, separation, and handling damage amid select, pack, and dispatch. Removing it may mean tighter carton specs, better pallet build, or alternative null-occupy methods to stop products moving about in transit. If the change is driven by reduction rather than problem-solving, warehouse efficiency can suffer and returns can rise. The better come is to match the pack style to the product and retain speed, protection, and recyclability in balance.

polythene suppliers bags manufacturing machines price

The bag-making line is built around high-volume T-shirt bags because that style retains packing and checkout handling simple. Feeding the machines with compact blown film units gives a proper supply of film for conversion, while the bag-making equipment turns that film into a familiar transport format with robust side seals and workable handle cut-outs. That set-up suits a producer that requirements output without wasting floor space, since compact machinery is easier to place, maintain, and retain running in sequence. It also reduces the risk of bottlenecks between film extrusion and converting, which matters when stock has to transport fast from production to dispatch. A balanced line like this is a practical method to retain polythene suppliers bags flowing without tying up room or labour.

Research & Resources

To find out more about polythene film or layflat tubing, including the range of products available and how polythene film is manufactured, please visit:

PackagingKnowledge: The online knowledge site for the polythene packaging industry, containing loads of articles and tonnes of useful information on polythene film.

Goldstork: Free 'best-of-the-web' directory featuring hand-picked information and specialist websites dealing in polythene film.

PlasticBags.uk.com: The definitive UK polythene packaging directory, where retailers can list items for free and shoppers can browse a selection of polythene film websites.

Polythene rolls or plastic rolls?

The terms 'polythene rolls' and 'plastic rolls' - along with polythene film, poly rolls, builders rolls, plastic sheeting and more - are often used to describe the same thing, whilst each single term is sometimes used to describe a range of polythene products. All terms refer to a roll of polythene - or plastic - that unrolls to produce a large sheet that can be cut to size, depending on the job in hand.

Although often the terms are used in their broadest sense, most people working in the trade use the term 'polythene rolls' to describe sheets of thinner polythene used to wrap items - such as shrink wrap, layflat tubing or glossy polypropylene wrapping - whilst the term 'plastic rolls' refers to thicker sheets of plastic - commonly known as builders rolls or wide plastic sheeting - used to cover or protect items during building work or painting and decorating. Alongside these, even thicker damp proof membrane - used to provide a damp proof course when building a new house - could also come under the term 'plastic rolls'.