So, what’s the issue?

The PVC Drawback

PVC food wrap has been valued for its tackiness and clarity, but growing health concerns, poor recyclability, and retailer bans are pushing the market toward safer, sustainable alternatives.

Polyolefin films are now matching or surpassing PVC in performance and eco-friendliness.

The challenges of PVC in packaging and why PVC is being phased out.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) food wrap faces growing pressure from regulators, retailers, and consumers due to:

Health risks: PVC requires plasticizers (e.g., phthalates or adipates) for flexibility. These can migrate into fatty or oily foods, especially under heat conditions such as microwave use. Strict limits or outright bans exist in the EU, Japan, and other regions, making compliance complex and trust in supply chains challenging.
Production hazards: PVC production releases vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) — a known carcinogen — requiring strict emission controls.
Recycling problems: PVC food wrap has extremely low recycling rates and often contaminates polyethylene recycling streams, making safe and efficient recycling impossible.
Environmental concerns: Landfilled PVC, when incinerated, can emit toxic dioxins harmful to humans and ecosystems.

As a result, PVC food wrap is now on multiple Plastics Pact phase-out lists worldwide (WWF, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, UK Plastics Pact, ANZPAC, SA Plastics Pact), pushing the packaging industry toward safer, circular alternatives.

additives by weight

≤ 0 %

PVC food wrap can contain 30–60% plasticisers and stabilisers. The highest additive load of any packaging plastic.

Zero Waste Europe, 2024

Food migration risk

0 %

Over 70% of PVC-wrapped fatty foods show plasticiser migration from the film into the product.

Food Packaging Forum, 2023

countries restricting or phasing out PVC

0 +

Retailers, governments, and environmental bodies are removing PVC from food packaging due to toxicity and recyclability failures.

Zero Waste Europe, 2024

more CO₂ with a higher carbon footprint

0 x

PVC production generates three times the greenhouse gas emissions compared to polyethylene films like Superthene.

European Plastics Federation, 2022

PVC vs. Polyolefin Food Wrap. What’s the Difference?

PVC wrap offers good cling, stretch, and clarity — but these benefits come with serious drawbacks: sustainability concerns, chemical migration risks, and food safety limitations.

Polyolefin wraps like Superthene deliver:

Better sustainability: 100% recyclable with PE/PP streams
Food safety assurance: Safe for all foods, including fatty foods, even under heat
Comparable performance: High clarity, strong stretchability, extended shelf life, and consumer-friendly environmental credentials

Where PVC falls short, Polyolefin steps up — meeting the needs of both food safety regulations and the Circular Economy.

PVC vs. Polyolefin (in detail)

Properties	PVC Food Wrap	Polyolefin (PO) Food Wrap
Material	PVC with plasticizers for flexibility	Polyolefin blends designed for strength, clarity, and tack
Additives	~40% additives for flexibility & antifog	<2% additives in Superthene
Stretch & Cling	Excellent natural cling and stretch; no adhesives needed	Lower natural cling; heat sealing ensures tight, sustainable wrap
Strength	Easily punctured by sharp edges — thicker films needed	High puncture resistance, allowing downgauging (thinner films) without compromising strength
Clarity & Gloss	Very high clarity and gloss, excellent product visibility	Equal or better clarity and gloss than PVC
Gas Permeability	High gas/moisture transmission — meat browns quickly	Lower gas/moisture transmission — keeps meat red longer, minimal fogging issues
Cold Temperature Performance	Becomes brittle below 0°C	Stays flexible even in blast freezing conditions
Plasticizers	Contains plasticizers; migration risk with fatty foods	No plasticizers; safe with all food types
Regulatory Acceptance	Increasingly restricted globally due to chemical concerns & poor recyclability	Fully aligned with sustainability initiatives and retailer requirements
Recyclability	Technically recyclable but rarely done; contaminates polyolefin recycling streams	100% recyclable where PE/PP recycling exists
Cost	Historically cheaper per roll than PO, but requires thicker film	Superthene PO films often match or beat PVC cost per meter due to downgauging and lower density
Carbon Footprint	Higher carbon footprint due to lack of recycling	Lower footprint: 40% weight saving per meter compared to PVC
Environmental Impact	Chlorine-based; incineration can release HCl and dioxins; not suitable for polyolefin recycling	Non-chlorinated; compatible with mainstream recycling and safer for the environment

Explore by Industry

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Protein Industry

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superthene-food-wrap-fresh-fruit-and-produce-industry

Fresh Fruit & Produce

Keep fruits and vegetables fresh for longer with breathable, crystal-clear wrap designed for retail appeal.

Mushrooms

Reduce browning and moisture build-up with packaging tailored for the unique needs of mushrooms.

Deli & Domestic

Flexible, food-safe wrap solutions for delis, supermarkets, and ready-to-eat foods.

Testimonials

We have been using Superthene for more than 3 years and have been extremely satisfied. It gives a perfect stretch over our Broccoli and Cauliflower, heat seals securely, reduces waste, and stretches more than competitors. Superthene is both cheaper and structurally superior — highly recommended.

Juan Theunissen

Southern Block Farming

We started testing Superthene wrap since 2011 and, with the team’s help, found the correct 14 micron wrap with extra anti-fog. We can wrap more punnets with Superthene, and the cost per punnet came down significantly. Since switching fully in July 2023, we’ve had no rejections.

Karien Niemand

Technologist Secrabje Verpakking CC

We use laser perforated Superthene Air for our fruit and vegetable exports. We find we get way less moisture and the products arrive in mint condition. Once you make the change to Superthene, the product speaks for itself.

Casey, Manageress

Zimflex Fruit & Veg Exporter

Our customers expect their meat purchases to retain their fresh look even after leaving our store. Since changing to Superthene we do not get returns for off colour meat. Superthene has definitely extended the shelf life of our in-store packed meat.

Johan, Store Butchery Manager

OK Foods Franchise Store

The new Superthene Air film has really improved the condition of our broccoli and cauliflower packs. It is clearer compared to the the previous product, stretches a lot more and is easier to use.

Tammaryn, Marketing & Sales Manager

CT Organics

Used by the world's leading retailers

Why Switch to Superthene?

Ready to make the switch?

Contact us today to replace your PVC food wrap with Superthene the healthier, sustainable choice for the future of food packaging.