Types of woven fabric: polypropylene vs polyethylene
30/11/2022

Natural raffia is obtained from the large leaves of the raffia palm, native to Madagascar. It is processed into long, durable strips that possess great strength and flexibility.

Woven fabric for industrial use

For industrial use, synthetic fibers are woven to simulate natural raffia. The resulting woven fabric has two main characteristics – high strength and flexibility – that vary depending on the material used.

tipos de rafia

In the industrial packaging market, polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) are the two types of material commonly used to produce woven fabric. The choice between these materials depends on the needs of each customer and the conditions in which the packaged product is transported or stored.

Although visually similar materials, it is important to make a distinction between them as these materials have different properties and applications.

Polypropylene

Polypropylene (PP) is somewhat less common than polyethylene (PE). It is a translucent white material that can be easily coloured.

It is a lightweight material with a lower density than PE, but it remains strong.

One of the most significant advantages of PP is its high resistance to abrasive acids and detergents. It is also more resistant to electrolytes, protecting the packaged goods from electricity.

PP woven fabric provides excellent resistance to breaking or tearing, making it ideal for packaging large metal products and parts with complex geometric shapes.

The temperature resistance makes a big difference and is also significant when making the choise of raw material. PP raffia withstands high temperatures better than PE, remaining stable between 0° and 100° C.

Despite it being a plastic derivative like polyethylene, the woven fabric made from polypropylene reduces condensation inside the packaging by 20% compared to PE.

Main advantages of polypropylene (PP)

Polyethylene

Polyethylene (PE) is the most commonly used plastic in the world and is also one of the cheapest.

It is more resistant to low temperatures than PP and performs perfectly between -80° and 80° C.

Polyethylene is highly resistant to impact, wear and abrasion.

Due to its low cost, it is the primary material used to make plastic bags and security foams.

Main characteristics of polyethylene (PE)

PP woven fabric formats

The great versatility of polypropylene woven fabric or PP woven fabric allows it to be used in a wide variety of formats, from tarpaulin in rolls and foils to manufactured woven fabric bags of practically any size and shape. In addition, it can be easily combined with other materials such as paper or wood, creating compounds that further expand the application possibilities in the industrial sector.

Polypropylene woven fabric is the material par excellence used in the manufacture of packaging. It is ideal for protecting, storing and transporting a wide variety of products, including those in the industrial, construction, agro-industrial, food, and pharmaceutical sectors.

The most common formats in the industrial sector are rolls and woven fabric bags, depending on the customer’s packaging needs.

formats woven fabric 1

PP woven fabric is an excellent substitute for heavy gauge plastic. While the price/kg may be higher, the length is much longer than that of heavy gauge plastic, making the packaging more cost-effective. Better handling is also achieved due to greater strength and flexibility at a considerably lower grammage than thicker plastic for the same purpose.

Personalisation of PP woven fabric

Inviker’s polypropylene woven fabric has a wide range of customisation possibilities:

Colour

Although polypropylene in its initial form is a translucent white material, it is often produced in different opaque colours. Depending on the requirement, it can be adapted to the customer’s brand image and colours.

printing

The surface of PP woven fabric is screen-printable, enabling the printing of brand logos, content details, and images. These options subtly enhance brand presence in a sophisticated way, if required by the customer.

Specific treatments

Lamination with a polyethylene (PE) layer is a common treatment applied to Inviker’s woven fabric, making it waterproof – a very common request in industrial packaging.

Another primary treatment is the VCI (volatile corrosion inhibitor) anticorrosion treatment, which adds extra protection against moisture and other corrosive substances.

UV treatment can also be applied for protection from ultraviolet light, which increases resistance to tearing.

Recyclability

Polypropylene woven fabric is durable and reusable, making it ideal for most applications. Proper treatment can increase the material’s lifespan, promoting sustainability and the circular economy.

Additionally, it is a 100% recycled and 100% recyclable material, reducing waste and reliance on raw materials and making it an environmentally friendly option.

la rafia es un material 100% RECICLABLE

Inviker provides premium quality polypropylene woven fabric in various formats and sizes that are customized to meet the specific requirements of our customers. If you have any queries or require additional information regarding the application of PP woven fabric in your business, don’t hesitate to contact our sales team. We will be delighted to assist you with any questions you may have.