PP or PET strapping – which one to choose?

When choosing strapping for business use, one of the most common questions is: PP or PET? Both are used to secure boxes, shipments and palletised loads, but their properties, applications and most suitable use cases differ.
PP strapping is more commonly used for cardboard boxes, lighter and medium-weight loads and larger volumes of standard shipments. PET strapping offers higher tensile strength and better tension retention, making it more suitable for heavier loads and pallets.
At 8boxes.lt, you can find PP strapping, PET strapping, strapping materials and strapping machines and tools.

What is PP strapping?

PP strapping is made from polypropylene. It is lightweight, flexible and economical, making it widely used for everyday packaging tasks.
PP strapping is especially suitable for:

• cardboard boxes;
• e-commerce shipments;
• light and medium-weight loads;
• printed materials;
• warehousing and logistics operations;
• semi-automatic and automatic strapping machines.
  One of the main advantages of PP strapping is its good balance between cost and practicality. When large quantities of similar cartons are packed, PP strapping used together with a semi-automatic or automatic strapping machine can help speed up the packaging process and achieve more consistent results.
  The 8boxes.lt range includes 12 mm PP strapping, suitable for everyday packaging operations and compatible with appropriate PP strapping equipment.

What is PET strapping?

PET strapping is made from polyester. It is stronger and retains tension better than PP strapping, making it more suitable for heavier loads and applications requiring more stable load securing.
PET strapping is commonly used for:

• heavy pallets;
• construction materials;
• timber;
• metal products;
• tiles and paving products;
• furniture;
• industrial loads.
  In some applications, PET strapping can be used as an alternative to steel strapping when the specific properties of steel are not required.
  8boxes.lt offers 15.5 × 0.7 mm PET strapping, suitable for use with compatible manual and battery-powered strapping tools.

PP vs PET strapping – key differences

When should you choose PP strapping?

PP strapping is generally more suitable when:

• you are packing cardboard boxes;
• loads are not particularly heavy;
• economical packaging cost is important;
• large quantities of standard shipments are prepared;
• a semi-automatic or automatic PP strapping machine is used.
  For e-commerce companies, warehouses and distribution centres, PP strapping is often a practical choice because of its good balance of cost, speed and ease of use.
  For higher packaging volumes, consider a semi-automatic PP strapping machine or an automatic PP strapping machine.

When should you choose PET strapping?

PET strapping is generally more suitable when:

• heavier pallets need to be secured;
• greater tension is required;
• tension needs to remain more stable during transport;
• the load is heavy, rigid or irregularly shaped;
• construction materials, timber, metal or other industrial products are being packed.
  The correct strapping choice should not be based on load weight alone. Strap width, thickness, breaking strength, load shape, transport conditions and the tool being used should also be considered.

Which strapping tool should you choose?

Manual strapping tool

For lower packaging volumes, a manual solution is often sufficient.
The 13–19 mm manual PP/PET strapping set is designed for manual strap tensioning and sealing. It is suitable for smaller packaging volumes where simplicity and lower initial investment are important.

Battery-powered strapping tool

For more frequent strapping work, a battery-powered PP/PET strapping tool can be a more efficient solution.
Such a tool:

• tensions the strap automatically;
• welds the strap ends;
• helps achieve more consistent results;
• reduces physical workload;
• allows more loads to be strapped in less time.
  The 8boxes.lt battery-powered PP/PET strapping tool is designed for 13–16 mm wide straps, so strap and tool compatibility should always be checked before purchase.

Why use corner protectors?

Tightly tensioned PP or PET strapping can place pressure on load corners and damage them.
Plastic corner protectors help to:

• distribute strap pressure;
• protect cardboard box edges;
• protect furniture and other sensitive surfaces;
• keep the strap more stable on the load;
• reduce the risk of packaging deformation.

When is a PP/PET strapping dispenser useful?

If strapping is used regularly, a large roll is easier to handle with a dedicated dispenser or trolley.
The PTDP PP/PET strapping dispenser and the H500 PP/PET strapping trolley help to:

• move strapping rolls more easily;
• keep the work area organised;
• dispense strapping more conveniently;
• reduce the risk of the roll unwinding or being damaged.

PP or PET – which should you choose?

If you need an economical way to secure cardboard boxes, shipments or lighter loads, PP strapping is usually sufficient.
If you are securing heavier pallets or industrial loads and require greater and more stable tension, PET strapping is usually more suitable.
PP strapping – for boxes, shipments and lighter loads.
PET strapping – for pallets and heavier loads.

What should you consider before buying?

Before choosing strapping, consider:

• what type of load you will strap;
• the size and weight of the load;
• load stability;
• required tension;
• packaging volume;
• the type of tool being used;
• which strap widths your equipment supports.
  Incorrectly selected strapping may fail to provide sufficient load stability or may unnecessarily increase packaging costs.

Common mistakes when choosing PP or PET strapping

One of the most common mistakes is choosing strapping based only on price.
Cheaper PP strapping is not necessarily more economical if a heavier load requires more material or if it does not provide sufficient stability. At the same time, there is little benefit in using stronger PET strapping for a lightweight cardboard box when PP strapping fully meets the packaging requirements.
Another common mistake is failing to check strap width compatibility with the tool. For example, a 12 mm PP strap is not suitable for a tool designed for 13–16 mm strapping.
That is why it is important to evaluate not only the strap itself, but the complete strapping system.

A complete strapping system in one place

Depending on the packaging process, you may need PP strapping, PET strapping, strapping machines and tools, strapping materials and accessories and plastic corner protectors.
A properly matched strap, tool and accessories help improve working speed, achieve more consistent results and control packaging costs more effectively.

Need help choosing?

If you are unsure which PP or PET strapping is right for your application, contact 8boxes.lt. We can help assess the load type, packaging volume and operating requirements and recommend compatible strapping, tools and additional packaging accessories.