Heavy-Duty Pallet & Load Securing

Need a stronger strapping system for palletised goods, industrial bundles or loads that can settle during handling? Surepak polyester PET strapping is designed for demanding load-securing applications where strength, retained tension plus controlled flexibility matter through warehouse handling, storage plus transport.

The range includes 16mm plus 19mm PET strapping in smooth plus embossed formats, with current options spanning 520kg plus 710kg stated break loads. Matching serrated seals, manual tensioning plus sealing tools plus battery strapping equipment allow buyers to build a system around the strap rather than treating the roll as an isolated packaging product.

For trade buyers, the important distinction is that PET strapping isn't selected by width alone. Load characteristics, required restraint, break load, strap finish, edge conditions, applied tension plus compatible tooling all influence the right setup. A heavier specification isn't automatically better, while a strap that looks adequate can still be poorly matched to the load or closure method.

Polyester PET can also provide an alternative to steel strapping in suitable applications, particularly where tension recovery, impact resistance, moisture resistance plus the absence of sharp steel edges are useful. That doesn't make PET a universal one-for-one steel replacement—the complete load plus strapping system still needs to suit the application.

Protecting the goods before restraint can be just as important as securing the pallet itself. Surepak Bubble Wraps provides cushioning around vulnerable products, while Surepak Protective Foams can help protect surfaces, edges plus components before loads are bundled or palletised.

What Is Polyester PET Strapping?

Polyester strapping—commonly called PET strapping—is a high-strength plastic strapping material used to bundle products plus secure suitable palletised loads.

Its role is straightforward: apply controlled tension around a load so packaged goods remain restrained through storage, handling plus transport.

Surepak's current PET range includes:

► 16mm PET strapping
► 19mm PET strapping
► Smooth PET strapping
► Embossed PET strapping
► 520kg break-load formats
► 710kg break-load formats
► Serrated PET seals
► Manual tensioning plus sealing tools
► Battery-powered PET/PP strapping tools

PET sits between lighter packaging strapping plus traditional steel across many industrial applications.

Its strength, tension recovery plus low-creep characteristics can make it particularly useful where a load may experience movement, impact or settling after the initial strap tension is applied.

That doesn't mean PET automatically replaces steel everywhere.

Load weight alone also doesn't determine the required strap. Load geometry, stability, edges, transport forces, required tension, number of straps plus the complete restraint method all need consideration.

Why Choose Polyester PET Strapping?

A pallet can be tightly strapped at dispatch yet still become unstable later.

Cartons compress. Timber moves. Bundles settle. Forklift handling plus road transport introduce repeated forces into the load.

This is where PET's material characteristics become commercially useful.

Surepak polyester strapping offers:

► High break-load options
► Strong tension recovery
► Impact resistance
► Low creep
► Moisture resistance
► No steel-style rusting
► No sharp steel edges
► Smooth plus embossed formats
► Manual plus battery-tool compatibility
► 16mm plus 19mm systems

Tension recovery is particularly important.

PET can elongate under an impact or changing load condition then recover some of that tension rather than simply behaving like a rigid restraint.

For suitable palletised goods plus industrial bundles, this can help maintain load containment as conditions change.

Common Applications

Palletising & Warehouse Dispatch

Looks stable on the warehouse floor?

That doesn't necessarily mean it will remain stable after forklift movement, loading plus transport.

PET strapping can be used to unitise suitable palletised loads before movement, helping keep products grouped as one handling unit.

Effective pallet strapping still depends on more than pulling the strap tight.

Consider:

► Pallet condition
► Load geometry
► Carton strength
► Product weight distribution
► Strap routing
► Edge protection
► Number of straps
► Applied tension

For movement around warehouses plus yards, Material Handling Equipment provides the complementary handling pathway.

Freight & Transport Loads

Transport repeatedly challenges a restrained load.

Acceleration, braking, cornering, vibration plus handling can all introduce movement that wasn't obvious at the packing station.

PET's combination of strength, elongation plus recovery makes it relevant to suitable freight applications where load containment needs to continue beyond initial dispatch.

Strapping alone isn't necessarily a complete transport-restraint system. Vehicle type, load configuration plus applicable transport requirements still need consideration.

Timber & Building Materials

Long or dense products create a different strapping problem from lightweight cartons.

Timber plus building materials can require stronger strapping with good retained tension, particularly where bundles may settle during storage or handling.

Before choosing a strap, check:

► Bundle characteristics
► Product edges
► Required strap width
► Break load
► Number of straps
► Applied tension
► Edge protection
► Handling method

A wider strap isn't automatically the correct answer.

Manufacturing & Production

Repeat packaging rewards consistency.

When the same product leaves a manufacturing line throughout the week, an established strapping specification can reduce variation between operators.

A defined system might document:

strap code → width → break load → tool → tension → closure method

That makes repeat purchasing easier while reducing unnecessary changes to a proven packing process.

Industrial Bundling

Profiles, packaged components plus manufactured products can often be grouped into manageable units using PET strapping.

Compared with steel, PET also avoids rust plus sharp steel edges.

The load itself still needs consideration.

Sharp corners can cut or abrade plastic strap, so appropriate edge protection may be required even where the PET break-load specification appears sufficient.

Storage & Despatch

What happens after the pallet sits for a day, a week or longer?

Cartons can compress. Products can settle. Some materials can shift within a bundle.

Surepak PET strapping's low-creep plus tension-recovery characteristics make it relevant where retained restraint through storage plus subsequent dispatch is important.

Product Selection Guide

PS16090 – 16mm Smooth Green PET Strapping

Need a 16mm smooth PET strap?

PS16090 provides:

► 16mm width
► 0.9mm thickness
► 1100m roll
► Green smooth PET
► 520kg stated break load

This is Surepak's core 16mm smooth format within the range.

One specification needs careful interpretation.

A 520kg break load doesn't mean one strap is suitable for securing a 520kg pallet.

Break load describes the strap's breaking performance under specified test conditions. Actual load restraint depends on strap configuration, applied tension, forces, load geometry plus the complete securing system.

PS16090E – 16mm Embossed Green PET Strapping

Want the corresponding embossed format?

PS16090E provides:

► 16mm width
► 0.9mm thickness
► 1100m roll
► Green embossed PET
► 520kg stated break load

PS16090 plus PS16090E share the same width, thickness, roll length plus stated break load.

The key difference is smooth vs embossed finish.

PS1910S – 19mm Smooth Green PET Strapping

Need to move into the higher break-load family?

PS1910S provides:

► 19mm width
► 1mm thickness
► 750m roll
► Green smooth PET
► 710kg stated break load

Its wider, thicker construction plus higher stated break load separate it from the 16mm/520kg range.

PS1910E – 19mm Embossed Green PET Strapping

For the embossed 19mm option, PS1910E provides:

► 19mm width
► 1mm thickness
► 800m roll
► Green embossed PET
► 710kg stated break load

There's a useful replenishment detail here:

PS1910S = 750m.
PS1910E = 800m.

Buyers already operating a defined system should therefore use the full product code rather than ordering “19mm PET strapping” generically.

Which PET Strapping Should You Choose?

Don't start by asking, “What's the strongest strap?”

Ask:

“What does this load actually require?”

Then work through:

Load → 2. Required restraint → 3. Strap width → 4. Break load → 5. Finish → 6. Tool → 7. Closure

Higher break load isn't automatically better when the additional capacity isn't required.

Under-specifying the strap to save material cost can create the opposite problem.

Smooth Vs Embossed PET Strapping

Same material family. Different surface.

Smooth PET strapping provides a consistent flat surface.

Embossed PET strapping incorporates a textured finish.

Surepak offers both across the current 16mm plus 19mm ranges.

For an established packing operation, changing surface finish shouldn't be treated as a purely cosmetic substitution.

Check compatibility with the tensioner, sealer, seals or friction-welding equipment being used.

PET Strapping Vs Polypropylene Strapping

PET plus polypropylene are both plastic strapping materials, but they solve different packaging requirements.

Polypropylene strapping is commonly used across lighter packaging applications.

Polyester PET strapping is generally considered where greater strength plus retained tension are needed around heavier palletised or industrial loads.

The useful question isn't:

Which plastic strap is better?

It's:

How much restraint does this particular load require through handling, storage plus transport?

If a lighter-duty material satisfies the application, moving into PET unnecessarily may increase packaging cost.

If the load requires higher strength plus better tension retention, lighter strapping can create a false economy.

PET Strapping Vs Steel Strapping

Can polyester replace steel?

In suitable applications, yes.

PET can offer practical advantages such as:

► Lower weight
► No rusting
► No sharp steel edges
► Moisture resistance
► Impact resistance
► Tension recovery
► Low creep
► Easier handling plus disposal

But PET isn't steel in plastic form.

The materials behave differently under tension plus impact.

Any conversion from steel should therefore consider:

► Required break strength
► Applied tension
► Product edges
► Load rigidity
► Shock loading
► Temperature
► Storage conditions
► Transport environment
► Closure method

A successful steel-to-PET conversion should be based on the load—not simply a matching strap width.

PET Strapping Tools, Seals & Accessories

A roll of strong PET doesn't create a reliable strapping system by itself.

PSLOFP16 – 16mm Serrated PET Seals

Using 16mm polyester strapping?

PSLOFP16 provides Surepak's 16mm serrated PET seal format.

► 16mm
► Serrated internal design
► Suitable for compatible PET systems
► 1000-unit carton

The serrated surface is designed to grip the polyester strap once correctly applied.

PSLOFP19 – 19mm Serrated PET Seals

For 19mm PET, PSLOFP19 provides the corresponding 19mm serrated seal.

► 19mm
► Serrated design
► Compatible PET closure format
► 1000-unit carton

Match the seal to the strap width.

A 16mm seal shouldn't be improvised into a 19mm strapping setup.

PSSTP – PET Tensioner 12–19mm

PSSTP is Surepak's manual tensioner covering 12mm through 19mm PET strapping.

Its role is to apply controlled tension before the closure is completed.

More tension isn't automatically better.

Excessive force can damage cartons, edges, products plus the strap itself.

PSSP16 – 16mm PET Sealer / Crimper

For compatible manual 16mm systems, PSSP16 provides a heavy-duty PET sealer/crimper.

Think of the manual system as two separate operations:

Tensioner → tensions the strap.

Sealer → completes the mechanical closure.

Both need to match the selected strap plus seal system.

PSHH-93 – 12/16mm Battery Strapping Tool

Strapping pallets frequently?

PSHH-93 covers 12/16mm PET plus PP strapping with adjustable tension from 10–250kg.

A battery tool can improve speed plus consistency where throughput makes separate manual tensioning plus sealing less practical.

PSHH-97 – 16/19mm Heavy-Duty Battery Strapping Tool

For heavier 16/19mm strapping requirements, PSHH-97 provides an adjustable 40–400kg tension range.

Don't default the tool to maximum tension.

Tool capability defines what the equipment can apply—not necessarily what the load should receive.

Building A Complete Load-Securing Setup

Strong strapping over a weak corner can still result in damaged goods.

Before the first strap is tensioned, consider:

► Product edges
► Carton compression
► Pallet condition
► Load distribution
► Strap routing
► Required number of straps
► Edge protection
► Tension setting
► Closure method
► Handling equipment
► Transport movement

Where smaller components plus assemblies also require mechanical securing, Specialty Fasteners & Fixings provides another relevant industrial pathway.

For businesses building dedicated packing plus dispatch stations, Workstations & Workbenches can support a more organised packaging workflow.

Expert Tips

Don't confuse break load with pallet capacity. They aren't equivalent measurements.

Order by exact code once the system is established. PS16090 plus PS16090E have identical dimensions plus stated break load but different surfaces.

Watch the 19mm roll lengths. PS1910S is 750m while PS1910E is 800m.

Match seal width to strap width. PSLOFP16 belongs with a compatible 16mm system while PSLOFP19 serves 19mm PET.

Control tension instead of chasing maximum tension. More force can damage the product without improving the overall system.

Protect vulnerable edges. Concentrated strap force over a sharp or crushable corner can compromise the load.

Inspect PET before application. Heavily damaged, abraded or compromised strap shouldn't be relied upon because its original specification was adequate.

Assess steel conversions properly. PET can replace steel across suitable applications, but a blind one-for-one substitution ignores how differently the materials behave.

Choose tooling around throughput. Manual equipment can suit lower-volume work, while battery strapping tools can improve consistency across frequent palletisation.

Standardise repeat loads. Once a suitable setup is established, document the strap code, tool, tension, closure plus application method.

Packaging failures rarely happen at a convenient time. The Jobsite Doesn't Forgive. We Do. looks at the broader operational cost of equipment plus supply problems once work is already moving.