AGRICULTURAL FILM | MATERIALS
Making material gains in the agricultural film sector
Delegates at last year’s Agricultural Film conference learnt about expanded use of PCR, specialist products that increase crop yields and ongoing efforts to improve recycling
Despite environmental concerns, the use of plastic agricultural film – such as mulch, silage and greenhouse film – is still on the rise, due to its role in helping to raise crop yields. Delegates at last year’s Agricultural Film confer- ence in the USA learnt how new materials and processes are helping to create specialist film that raises crop output – as well as efforts to minimise the environmental effect of these products. A joint paper from Patrick Gagnon – director of
sales at Sigma Stretch Film – and Luke Venechuk, director of packaging engineering at Highlight Industries, showed the effect of pre-stretch and wrap force on a film’s cling performance. They described a research project in which a
range of films – including examples with 30% PCR content – were subjected to tests to compare the effects of stretch, force and PCR inclusion on cling and seal properties. This helped to establish a ‘best practice’ guide for future areas of research and testing.
www.filmandsheet.com In agriculture, stretch film has a number of uses.
It protects feed from the elements – as well as promoting beneficial fermentation. It also reduces storage needs, by allowing bales to be kept outside, and makes the bales transportable. At the same time, cling film seals the bale to
protect it, ensuring the material is tightly wrapped. The project tested nine stretch films from three manufacturers. They included single-, five- and seven-layer films, in thicknesses of 21-25 microns, some of which included PCR. Film was wrapped onto a take-up drum under controlled stretch conditions then peeled away from the drum at 90 degrees. Results showed both pre-stretch and post-
stretch had a major and direct effect on cling. Post-stretch had at least twice the effect of pre- stretch – due to wrap force and neck down. Wrap force had a minor, indirect effect on cling, while PCR content had no predictable effect – if it was in the core layer. Correct machine maintenance was also impor-
April 2024 | FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION 13
Main image: The ability to raise crop yields makes plastic film a vital resource in agriculture
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
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