Have questions about strapping, stretch wrapping, or custom packaging solutions? Check out these FAQs.

    You can email quote request to sales@frommpackaging.ca.  or Fill Get a Quote Form Our team will review your request and get back to you at the earliest.

    FROMM Packaging serves a diverse array of industries with its comprehensive range of strapping, wrapping, and protective packaging solutions. Key sectors benefiting from FROMM's expertise include:

    • Automotive and Parts
    • Baling
    • Building Products
    • Cans and Bottles
    • Flat Glass
    • Furniture
    • Home Appliances
    • Insulation
    • Logistics
    • Metals and Alloys
    • Non-Ferrous Metals
    • Paper, Cardboard, and Corrugated
    • Paving Products
    • Pharmaceuticals
    • Wire
    • Wood and Timber (Lumber)

    Absolutely! We proudly serve customers across Canada. Our dedicated sales representatives are strategically located in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec to ensure your packaging needs are met with the highest level of service and efficiency.

    You can email sales@frommpackaging.ca or call 905-428-3444, and one of our representatives would be happy to assist you.

     

    Steel Strapping

    Plastic Strapping

    Material

    Made from high-strength steel. Typically made from polyester (PET) or polypropylene (PP).

    Strength

    Higher tensile strength, ideal for heavy-duty applications.  Good strength and more flexible

    Worker Safety

    Can be dangerous due to sharp edges and risk of snapping back when cut. Safer to handle, with no sharp edges.

    Elasticity

    No elasticity, does not absorb shocks. Can stretch and absorb shocks during transport.

    Corrosion

    Prone to rust. Resistant to weather and moisture, suitable for outdoor use.

    Weight

    Heavier.  Lightweight, reducing handling difficulty and overall load weight.

    Applications

    Used for securing heavy and sharp-edged loads, like metal, wood and construction materials. Used for medium to heavy loads, offering more flexibility and shock absorption.

     

    Choosing the right plastic strapping can make all the difference. The three main types—polyester, polypropylene, and cord strap—each offer specific advantages:

    Polypropylene is your solution for light-duty tasks. With its high stretch and flexibility, it's ideal for products that need gentle, secure wrapping. Plus, it can be easily closed with buckles or seals, making it both effective and easy to use.

    Polyester is perfect when you need something tougher. Its rigidity and strength allow it to handle more demanding applications, often replacing steel strapping in heavy-duty scenarios. While it requires more force to apply, the result is a durable, long-lasting hold.
    With the right strapping material, you can protect your products efficiently and cost-effectively.

    There are several distinguishing factors to differentiate polyester from polypropylene strapping. Polypropylene strapping will easily tear lengthwise while polyester will not easily split. Please note that colour and width are not determining factors as both products can be made in any colour. If you’re still not sure which is which, try putting a small test piece in water. Polyester will sink, while polypropylene will float.
    In most cases, polyester is the proper substitute for steel, often works better, and is less expensive.  FROMM specialist will have to look at your particular situation but chances are high that a suitable polyester strap will be appropriate for your application. Among other factors, a specialist will look at the weight of the package, application, compressibility, and outside influences, such as the environment of the packaging location.

    No. Tools for steel are vastly different from tools for polyester. While both steel and polyester can be closed using seals, the tools are different and are not interchangeable. Besides, there are an abundance of tool options with polyester that offer a productivity gain. You will want to explore the tooling options ideal for your application.

    If you want to switch from steel to polyester, you’ll need to invest in the right tools. Making the switch will save your plant more in the long run.

    FROMM offers a wide range of strapping solutions including manual, pneumatic, and battery-powered strapping tools, as well as semi- and fully-automated strapping systems. They also provide specialized solutions like the XF-Retrofit Package for automated strapping systems.

    With a rotary arm stretch wrapper the load to be wrapped remains stationary. The arm containing the stretch wrap rotates around the load. A turntable stretch wrapper is the opposite; the load to be wrapped rotates and the stretch wrap is applied as the table is turning. A rotary arm stretch wrapper is designed to handle any load that is heavy, tall, or unstable. The machine allows the load to stay stable on the floor during the wrapping process.

    A turntable stretch wrapper is designed for pallet jack or forklift loads. Since the turntable must rotate, it is limited by the load weight. Other considerations between the two will be ceiling height, available floor space, and budget.

    A friction weld joint is one type of sealing for plastic strapping. It’s created by rapidly vibrating the two ends of the strap. The motion creates enough heat to fuse the ends together. It is used by most pneumatic and battery-operated tools, as well as in the strapping heads of most automated equipment.
    Joint efficiency refers to the strength of the weld that seals a strap’s ends together. A strap is only as strong as its weakest point. The stronger the seal, the higher the joint efficiency. Efficiency is usually expressed as a percentage of the strap’s break strength.
    You should use serrated face seals with polyester strapping. This will give you a stronger seal and help prevent slippage. Always be sure that you’re using the most appropriate seal for your application.

    Joint strength is affected by many factors. The type of tools you use and how those tools are set up and used are of primary importance. For example, metal clips come in different sizes and configurations. Longer serrated seals are more efficient than shorter smooth seals. Additionally, with seals, there is a chance that the seals are not closed sufficiently as it is a manual process relying on the diligence of the operator. Friction or heat welded joints are less susceptible to these problems as long as the tool is set up properly for the strap. Once set up, the tool ensures a proper weld.

    For that reason metal clips are often rated at a 50% seal efficiency while welds are rated at 75% or higher.

    Polypropylene and polyester straps often use the same hand tools. Battery and pneumatic tools are rated by width, thickness, and tension so the tools must be matched to these characteristics of the strap being used. If these characteristics match, it often does not matter if you use polyester or polypropylene; however, you should be sure to ask your manufacturer or consult the manual for your specific tools.
    Yes, absolutely. Many plant operations have unique packaging requirements, so a custom-built solution is often the ideal option.

    FROMM provides a variety of wrapping solutions including horizontal and vertical stretch wrapping machines, semi- and fully-automatic systems. including pre-stretched and modified films with elongation capabilities up to 400%, suited for various demanding applications​

    FROMM ensures quality through professional advice, operator training, calculated and tested solutions, and by providing the right machine settings and film combinations. 

    What types of wrapping solutions are available from FROMM?
    FROMM provides protective packaging solutions such as air cushions (made from recycled or biodegradable materials) and crumpled paper systems, ideal for void filling, cushioning, and wrapping​
     What are FROMM's protecting solutions for shipped goods?
    Yes, FROMM provides comprehensive training for operators and service personnel as part of their Lifecycle Care program to ensure efficient and safe use of their equipment​
    Does FROMM offer training for operators and service technicians?
    FROMM offers expert advice on optimizing packaging applications, helping customers switch from steel to PET strapping, and reducing total cost of ownership through efficient systems​
    How does FROMM reduce packaging costs for its customers?
    FROMM contributes to environmental sustainability by using solar energy, implementing controlled closed water circulation systems with internal filtration, and maximizing the use of recycled plastics in their products.
    How does FROMM contribute to environmental sustainability?
    FROMM focuses on reducing resource consumption, reusing products, and recycling materials. They use recycled PET flakes for their STARstrap® PET strapping and PE recyclate or biodegradable materials for their Airpad™ films.
     What is FROMM’s approach to sustainability?

    FROMM offers air-cushions made from plastic films (recycled or biodegradable) and paper-based air-cushions. They also provide crumpled paper for heavy products and products with sharp edges.

     

    FROMM produces a wide range of films including HDPE multilayer, biodegradable, and paper Airpad™ films. They also offer pre-stretched and modified films for special applications.

    What protective packaging materials does FROMM offer?
    FROMM supports customers with in-depth needs analysis, choice of retrofit or new installations, installation and start-up services, operator and service technician training. They also offer a Lifecycle Care service program.