PET or PP strapping: how to choose the right one for your pallets
PET or PP strapping: how to choose the right one for your pallets
Two materials dominate pallet strapping today: PP strapping (polypropylene) and PET strapping (polyester). Both can be applied by hand or by machine, but they do not meet the same need. Choosing the wrong one means either paying for strength you do not need, or risking a load that loosens in transit. Here is how to decide in four questions.
1. What is the weight and nature of the load?
This is the first criterion.
- Light to medium loads (cartons, bundles, grouped parcels, paper or food products): PP strapping is sufficient in the vast majority of cases. It is flexible, easy to apply and more economical.
- Heavy or rigid loads (building materials, timber, metal, bricks, coils, recycling bales): PET strapping is the right choice. Its break strength is far higher, and it is a credible alternative to steel strapping.
2. Must the tension hold over time?
PP is more elastic: it absorbs shocks but tends to relax over time, especially if the load settles or the temperature varies. PET, on the other hand, retains its tension much longer. For long-term storage, long-distance transport or container loading for export, PET is the safest choice.
3. Which strapping tool do you use?
Always check that the strapping is compatible with your equipment:
- Table-top or semi-automatic strapping machine : usually designed for PP, in widths from 12 to 16 mm.
- Battery-powered hand tool (tensioner-sealer): handles both PP and PET, provided tension and weld settings are adjusted to the material.
- Automatic in-line strapping machine : 15 or 19 mm PET is common for heavy loads.
Width and thickness must match what your machine accepts. If in doubt, give us the make and model: we will check compatibility before you order.
4. What budget per pallet?
PP is the most economical option per metre and suits most carton flows. PET costs more, but it often lets you apply fewer straps per pallet thanks to its strength, and it avoids the losses caused by a load that works loose. The right calculation is therefore not just the price per coil, but the cost per pallet shipped without incident.
Summary table
| Criterion | PP strapping | PET strapping |
|---|---|---|
| Typical loads | Light to medium: cartons, parcels, bundles | Heavy: timber, metal, materials, export |
| Tension retention | Good in the short term | Excellent, even over long periods |
| Tools | Table-top strappers, hand tools | Battery tools, automatic strappers |
| ACPACK references | 12 × 0.55 · 12 × 0.63 · 15 × 0.73 · 16 × 0.80 mm, black or white | 12 × 0.75 · 15 × 0.80 · 19 × 1.00 mm, green |
Our application tips
- Combine strapping with cardboard edge protectors : they spread the tension and stop the strap from marking or crushing carton corners.
- Store coils away from sunlight and moisture to preserve their properties.
- Do not over-tension PP: beyond a certain point it stretches without holding any better.
Ordering in Morocco
ACPACK supplies PP strapping and PET strapping by the coil, with ex-VAT prices shown online. Orders are prepared in Tangier (Gzenaya Industrial Zone) and delivered throughout Morocco; delivery is free from 20 pallets. Need advice on your load or your strapping machine? Request a free quote : we will get back to you quickly.