Strapping Guide

Which strapping is best for you?

With a wide range of strapping on the market, we have some tips and advice on selecting the right strapping for you. So without further ado let’s take a look at what strapping itself is and the choices you have readily available.

Strapping is used throughout a range of industries to bundle items together for easier handling, securing items to pallets and crates, reinforcing boxes and fastening goods. It’s ideal for securing items during shipment or for medium to long-term storage and is often used in construction, agriculture and shipping industries as well as other uses throughout the packaging and manufacturing sectors. The vital part strapping plays is providing a secure fastened seal when packing goods for transit or storage.

In a world where health and safety is becoming ever more apparent and the everyday battle with damaged goods continues, we know how important it is to have the right equipment available for businesses to choose from. Whether strapping is a new venture for your business or its simply second nature to you, it is not always clear what kind of strapping you need so let’s explore what types are actually out there. At Kite we offer four different types of strapping…

Steel Strapping

As the oldest and most commonly used strapping product in the world of bundling and unitizing – steel strapping is the ideal secure solution for heavy duty applications. A household favourite when it comes to companies requiring highly durable strapping that can withstand hot temperatures and protect loads that carry more weight. Steel strapping is a particularly popular choice for those in the construction industries who are manoeuvring heavy building materials and need high tensile strapping. The material steel is the perfect suitor for heavy load holding where high strength and minimal stretch are desired. However if a user is dealing with bundles that will potentially settle and become smaller on the road, steel strapping is not recommended as it remains at the same initial application tension.

Polyester Strapping

Another type of plastic strapping is polyester, an effective, popular alternative for steel strapping. Its high break strength and high level tension goes hand in hand with its great elongation, therefore providing quality strapping for medium to heavy duty construction materials. Its elongation and high recovery characteristics mean polyester strapping can adapt after application to allow for any of its content expanding or contracting, therefore ensuring the same level of protection for loads throughout the transit stage.

Polypropylene Strapping

Polypropylene strapping is seen as a more light to medium duty strapping which is the ideal option for palletising and bundling that requires a lighter duty seal. When compared with most other materials, polypropylene is the most economical as its lightweight material is easy to recycle at the end of use. It’s ideal for short transportation periods and for loads that are already protected from extreme environmental conditions and outside weathering. Its properties include high elongation and elongation memory, however it is likely to lose some of its tension after it is applied, making it particularly useful for bundles that can take up the slack but not accommodating for heavy duty solid goods that require a consistent tension.

Corded Polyester Strapping

Corded polyester strapping which is also commonly known as non-woven polyester cord strapping is stronger than both standard polypropylene and polyester strapping. This makes it ideal for heavy duty applications where strength is non-negotiable. Its high breaking strain offers a perfect alternative for steel strapping but with one further benefit, it is substantially lighter than it, allowing for ease and flexibility of use. Its elastic memory keeps loads tight and absorbs any shocks that occur in transit.

Bale Strapping

Also known as bale strap or baling strap, bale strapping is a strong, safe alternative to using bailing wire. Lightweight in quality, it is the ideal choice for securing heavy, awkward loads and compacting bales with its capacity for high shock absorption. Our bale strapping has a core diameter of 62mm and fits most popular makes of compactors/balers. Simply hand tie or use in a baler/waste compactor. The strapping does not tear or fray and can be used in conjunction with heavy duty steel buckles and a basic tensioning tool. Can be re-tensioned.