Packaging

Buy from the UK's best range of polythene packaging, including poly bags, printed carriers and mailers, polythene rolls and eco packaging.

Polythene packaging is...

• Something we use regularly in our day-to-day lives
• Employed for a huge variety of purposes
• Used for everything from keeping our food fresh to helping us dispose of our rubbish and carrying our shopping home to posting something to a friend
• Available in a multitude of forms, including plastic bags, plastic sheeting, plastic film, bubble packaging, anti-static packaging, each of which come with a huge range of products from which to choose
• Available in a range of sizes, from the smallest grip seal bags, used for storing tiny items, to the largest rolls of polythene film, used for wrapping large or awkwardly-shaped items
• Available in a range of thicknesses, from the finest crystal clear polypropylene film used to display products for retail, to the thickest heavy duty polythene used as a damp proof membrane to underlay floors, as used in the construction industry
• Available in a range of colours or in clear polythene to suit the job in hand
• Available in bespoke shapes and sizes, or printed to match your business needs
• Also available in biodegradable polythene, which does the same job as regular polythene but with less of an impact on the environment

Common forms of packaging

Polythene packaging comes in many shapes and forms to cover a multitude of tasks. Here are a few of the most commonly-used forms of packaging:

Packing bags - clear polythene bags used for a range of tasks, from packing and displaying retail products to covering items for storage or transportation.

Display bags - popular with retailers, these crystal clear polypropylene glossy display bags will make your products sparkle!

Carrier bags - plain or printed polythene bags designed to help retail customers carry their purchases home. Available with a variety of handle styles.

Mailing bags - polythene envelopes with an integral fold-down seal that provide a lightweight and waterproof alternative to regular envelopes for sending your mail.

Garment covers - polythene covers used to protect dry cleaning or laundry during transportation or storage. Available in plain or printed polythene.

Bubble packaging - polythene sheets comprised of small air-cushioned ‘bubbles’ that protect delicate or fragile items during transport or storage. Also available in bubble bag form, complete with sealing strip.

Vacuum packaging - used in the catering industry for sealing food before cooking in a water bath (sous-vide - see below), or storing food to keep it fresh. Requires a vacuum sealer to seal the bags.

Polythene rolls - Polythene film available on the roll used for a variety of packaging purposes, including layflat tubing, shrink pallet covers and glossy display film.

Plastic sheeting - Thicker rolls of polythene, also known as builders rolls, used to cover wide areas in the building trade and by painters and decorators.

Specialist packaging

Away from the everyday carrier bag and Here are some of the more specialist types of polythene packaging. But whilst they might be less frequently used, they are no less important.

Anti-static bags - a range of bags that protect electrical equipment and small electronic components from the potential damage caused by electrostatic discharge.

Box liners - a range of large polythene liners featuring a wide gusset, used for lining boxes or drawers, or as a packing cover for large or bulky items.

Fish bags - strong clear polythene bags that come with watertight seals, used to transport goldfish and other types of fish. Popular with pet shops, aquaria and funfair stall holders.

Furniture bags - Extra large polythene bags used for covering large items of furniture, including sofas, chairs, chests of drawers and wardrobes during house removals or for storage.

Mattress covers - High strength gusseted polythene film covers used to protect mattresses. Available for single, double or king size mattresses and come complete with safety warning.

Vacuum packaging and sous-vide cooking

Every gourmet restaurant kitchen worth its salt these days will contain a vacuum sealer and a collection of vacuum bags. Not only does a vacuum sealer allow chefs to store food in an airtight environment, thus keeping it fresh for longer, but it can also be used in the cooking process.

Chefs use vacuum packaging for sous-vide cooking - a method of cooking in which food is sealed in an airtight polythene vacuum bag before being cooked in water at a specific temperature to ensure it is cooked evenly throughout, without losing any of its moisture.

The technique is similar to poaching but, by sealing the food inside a vacuum pack, it has the advantage of retaining the juices and aroma of that would be lost during poaching.

Sous vide is a technique used in many high end gourmet restaurants and is popular with well known chefs including Heston Blumenthal, Michael Carlson and Joël Robuchon.

On a roll - plastic or polythene?

Polythene packaging dispensed from a roll can be referred to by a large number of terms, covering a range of products that serve very different purposes. However, often the terms used to describe these rolls are mixed up and people can refer to plastic or polythene film when meaning the same thing, or they might use the same term - e.g. polythene rolls - when referring to two completely different products.

In the trade, for the most part, ‘plastic rolls’ is a term used to describe rolls of thicker plastic sheeting - often referred to as builders rolls - that protect large surface areas or objects from the dust, debris and generally mess caused by building, painting and decorating. Damp proof membrane, used in the early stages of the building process, is classified as a heavy duty plastic roll.

The term ‘polythene rolls’, on the other hand, would most likely be used to describe rolls of thinner polythene film used to wrap or cover items, such as shrink wrap, pallet covers, glossy polypropylene display film or - when dispensed in tube form rather than a single layer - layflat tubing.

If you’re working with someone who refers to a plastic roll or polythene roll, ask them to be a bit more specific so that you know you’ll get exactly what you need for the job in hand.

Where to buy polythene packaging

Polythene packaging manufacturers and suppliers include:

Polythene
Polythene.co.uk is a fantastic online shop from these specialist polythene manufacturers. They produce and sell a massive range of polythene packaging, bags, film, covers and accessories at unbeatable prices.
www.polythene.co.uk

Poly Bags
Discount Polybag provides a perfect one-stop shop for all your polythene packaging needs. UK-leading manufacturers and stockists of a massive range of poly bags and other plastic packaging, all at wholesale prices.
www.discountpolybag.co.uk

UK Packaging
Buy Packaging is the number one place to go to buy packaging in the UK. Whatever type of polythene packaging you need, from mailing bags to bubble wrap and crystal clear display film to heavy duty plastic sheeting, this is the place to find it.
www.buypackaging.co.uk

Polythene Packaging
Euro Polythene is a pan-European polythene packaging website. Whether you are based in the UK or mainland Europe, this website will cater for any polythene packaging needs, from stock products to bespoke goods, all at discount prices.
www.europolythene.co.uk

Polythene Bags
A website dedicated to helping you buy polythene bags at discount prices. Features a list of major suppliers and a buying guide so that you get the very best bargain prices on quality polythene bags.
www.discountpolythenebags.co.uk

Grip Seal Bags
A website to cater for all your packaging needs, e-Polybags contains tonnes of useful information on a range of polythene packaging from grip seal bags to eco-friendly bags, with a list of suppliers for you to get the best deal.
www.e-polybags.co.uk

Plastic Bag Suppliers
This specialist plastic bag website is a useful tool for anyone looking to buy a range of polythene bags or their biodegradable equivalent.
www.bagsuppliers.co.uk

Plastic Bags
Bags specialises in plastic bags. A fantastic resource for anyone looking to buy or find out more about a range of plastic bags. Contains a very useful glossary of plastic bag terms and details on bespoke plastic bag manufacturing.
www.bags.uk.com

Printed Carrier Bags
If you're looking for plastic bags personalised with your very own design, then head over to Printed Bags, which provides a wealth of useful information on printed carrier bags and how to make your business stand out from the crowd.
www.printedbags.org.uk

Plastic Bag
Plastic Bags Direct is a website dedicated to plastic packaging and plastic bags. Featuring lots of information on how plastic bags are made, what packaging is used for and where to buy it.
www.plasticbagsdirect.co.uk

Cheap Poly Bags
This website describes itself as the "ultimate guide" to sourcing cheap polybags and it's hard to argue. A veritable treasure trove of information on plastic bags and where to buy them at discount prices.
www.discountpolybags.co.uk

Research & Resources

To find out more about polythene packaging, including details of how it is manufactured, the various purposes it serves and how to recycle it, please visit:

PackagingKnowledge: The undisputed polythene packaging encyclopedia, containing vast amounts of information and detailed articles on every type of polythene packaging.

Goldstork: Read hand-picked information and specially selected features on a huge range of polythene packaging products on this free 'best-of-the-web' directory.

PlasticBags.uk.com: The number one polythene packaging directory in the UK allows manufacturers to list products for free, whilst shoppers can browse through a broad range of websites specialising in all types of polythene packaging.

Eco-friendly packaging

Packaging is such an integral part of everyday life in the 21st century that it’s hard to imagine a world without it. But with global warming and other environmental concerns becoming more and more important, many people look to replace their regular packaging with eco-friendly alternative.

What is eco-packaging?

Eco-packaging is a form of packaging that, rather than using traditional polythene, uses alternative materials that are biodegradable, thereby having less of an impact on the environment.

A wide range of eco-friendly packaging is manufactured today from polybio and biodegradable material, that will completely biodegrade when placed in regular composting conditions, landfill or into prolonged contact with soil.

Types of eco-packaging

You can have one eye on the environment while doing a wide range of household tasks these days and there’s eco-packaging to help you along the way.

Popular types of eco-packaging include biodegradable bin bags, refuse sacks and wheelie bin liners, kitchen waste bags and compost bags, biodegradable mailing bags, biodegradable clear bags, biodegradable carrier bags and even dog poo bags.

Interesting information on packaging

1. Eleusine plastic packing bags

A well-manufactured packing bag requirements to match the job, not only occupy space on a shelf. For books, brochures, craft items or small accessories, the proper gauge and size retain the contents tidy without wasting material or making the pack see oversised. Thin film can split at the seal or tear amid dispatch, while an awkward fit lets items rattle about and suffer handling damage. A transparent, simple bag also improves presentation, which matters when products are picked, checked and repacked in a rush. Keeping the specification close to the proper use cuts waste and makes storage easier also. Getting the bag proper first time saves trouble lower down the chain.

The Future of Rigid Plastic Packaging to 2022

The value of rigid plastic packaging in United Kingdom above 2012 to 2022 shows how demand can stay firm even when the political debate around plastic retains shifting. Rigid formats like trays, pots, tubs, bottles and closures still matter because they keep safe products in storage, survive stacking better than softer materials, and give consistent product presentation on shelf. Their market value also relies on resin prices, recycling rules, and how fast converters can adjust wall thickness, format and recycled content without spoiling pack performance. When material costs jump or specifications drift, the strain shows up in waste, damaged stock and tighter margins. That makes the market less about plastic alone and more about how well the pack fits the job.

polythene suppliers packaging succeeds when the material selection matches the job, not only the list of products description. A well-manufactured bag, sheet or wrap has to balance gauge, film tension and seal quality so it can keep safe products without adding waste or slowing the pack line. Too thin, and the film splits or scuffs in transit; also heavy, and it raises cost and makes handling awkward. Good production control retains the material consistent from reel to finished pack, which assists pallet stability and reduces complaints on receipt. That proper performance is what turns simple polythene suppliers packaging into a proper working material rather than an afterthought.

Best match for specialist packaging

Specialist packaging earns its place when a normal carton or wrap would fail on the shop floor, in transit, or in storage. The job is not only to grasp products together, nevertheless to suit the product, the line speed, the pallet load, and the method warehousing and dispatch in reality work. A poor selection can lead to crushed corners, split seals, awkward stacking, or wasted labour at packing stations. The better come is to match board grade, film thickness, closure method, and handling pattern to the proper risk. That saves time, reduces damage, and retains the all chain moving with less surprises.

Significant Growth Prospects in Vacuum Packaging Market

Vacuum packaging extends shelf life by taking the air out of a pack and controlling what remains inside it. That matters because oxygen drives spoilage, encourages mould growth, and can leave food looking tired long before the use-by date. In practice, the job is not only about pulling a vacuum and sealing a film; it is about selecting the proper pack structure, getting a proper seal, and matching the gas mix to the product so the contents stay in better condition through storage and transport. If the seal is weak or the film is gross for the product, the benefit fast disappears, which is why process control matters as much as the machinery.

Bubble packaging demand has tracked the wider need for light, protective transit material, because it gives superb cushioning without adding much weight to a consignment. That matters in dispatch and warehouse work, where damage, speed and packing cost all pull in alternative directions. The loose air cells spread impact well, so fragile products can survive normal handling, while the film remains easy to wrap around awkward shapes. Demand figures above time normally reflect changes in e-commerce, product fragility and the pressure to cut breakage claims. When the proper gauge and bubble size are chosen, the material protects products without wasting space or labour, which retains the packing line moving cleanly.

Women's Go Clean Heels Packing Bags Purrple

Retail packing bags often see the sharpest price changes around seasonal demand, and that can affect all from stock planning to margin. Holiday trading can push certain bag styles through promotions, nevertheless the optimal buying points normally come when sales are meant to transparent old lines rather than when demand is highest. For a packing operation, that means watching lead times, not only unit cost, because a cost-effective consignment is no assist if it arrives after peak. Good stock rotation also matters, since slow-moving bags can tie up warehouse space and create a mix of old and new packs on the select face. Buying at the proper time retains handling smooth and reduces last-small substitutions.

24 photos of ridiculous plastic packaging that will make you scream then take action

Plastic packaging does not need a blanket ban to solve the problem; it requirements tighter design, better assortment and more pressure on factories to cut unnecessary use. Many packs still do a useful job because they keep safe food, reduce breakage and retain products clean through storage and transport, nevertheless poor selections and weak recovery systems leave also much material stranded in the gross waste stream. The proper issue is not plastic on its possess, nevertheless whether the pack has been specified for a proper purpose and can be sorted, recycled or reused at the stop of its life. That come retains damage and waste down without forcing a gross one-size-fits-all reply.

Now you no longer have to shop around for polythene suppliers packaging!

polythene suppliers packaging remains a thoroughly practical medium on the warehouse floor because it reconciles three pressures that rarely sit adequately together: product protection, line speed and unit economics. A transparent bag of the proper micron gauge does above present stock cleanly; it controls tare weight, maintains volumetric efficiency across the consignment, and reduces the sort of abrasion and particulate ingress that complicate select-face efficiency further downstream. Heat sealing, when matched properly to film thickness and melt-flow consistency, manufactures a repeatable closure without introducing needless material bulk, while grip-seal formats facilitate secondary bagging and short-dash kitting where repeated access matters above tamper evidence. At pallet level, the discussion becomes less about mere containment and more about load behaviour below transit stresspre-stretch properties, cling balance and puncture resistance all influence pallet stability, corner retention and the extent to which crushed cases start to compromise the stack. There is also a quieter engineering shift below method: mono-material polythene suppliers systems are being specified more often because they simplify recyclability, and downgauged films with stronger polymer orientation can trim material use without surrendering surface integrity. In practice, that is where polythene suppliers packaging earns its placenot through big claims, nevertheless by mitigating waste, facilitating clean handling and keeping the packing bench, despatch lane and returns stream in tolerable order.

Specialist packaging foam gives a product far more control than simple loose-occupy or basic wrap, because the material can be chosen and shaped around the item rather than the other method round. Polyethylene foam, including the Plastazote spectrum, brings predictable cushioning, so a pack can keep safe delicate products while still looking tidy on the shelf or in transit. Laminates and facings add another layer of selection, whether the aim is a cleaner stop, better branding, or a colour match that retains a product line consistent. That sort of specification matters when presentation and handling both count, since poor-looking packs often recommend carelessness inside the carton as well.