PE tubular film – also called tubular film – is the most important semi-finished product in the packaging world. Countless bags, film packaging, liners and protective covers are made from this material. Once you understand how PE tubular film is produced, which dimensions and thicknesses are available and how to produce your own bags with it, you can set up your packaging strategy much more efficiently. This detailed guide takes you through all the important points – from the material to bespoke orders.
Table of contents
- What is PE tubular film?
- How is PE tubular film produced?
- Material: LDPE standard and special qualities
- Dimensions: width, thickness, length, core
- Applications at a glance
- Making your own bags from PE tubular film
- Tubular film for machine processing
- Food-grade PE tubular film
- Special sizes, printing & confectioning
- Sustainability, GRS and recycling
- Frequently asked questions
What is PE tubular film?
PE tubular film is a seamless, tube-shaped extruded plastic film. It is created in the so-called blown film process: polyethylene is melted, pressed through a ring die and simultaneously inflated from the inside with air – this creates a long, seamless film tube which, after cooling, is laid flat and wound onto rolls. As the tube is already closed on two long sides, you only need to seal the top and bottom to obtain a bag – which makes PE tubular film the ideal starting material for self-made film bags.
How is PE tubular film produced?
The production path in simplified form:
- Granulate: PE granulate (LDPE or HDPE) is fed into an extruder.
- Melting: at 180–220 °C the granulate becomes a viscous melt.
- Extrusion: the melt is pressed through a ring die.
- Blow moulding: air is blown in from the inside, the tube grows into a thin, round film bubble.
- Cooling & laying flat: the bubble is solidified by air cooling, then laid flat.
- Winding: the finished tube runs onto a cardboard core (standard core 76 mm).
Material: LDPE standard and special qualities
The standard material is LDPE (low-density polyethylene) – flexible, tear-resistant, recyclable, very easy to seal. The exact properties and differences from HDPE can be found in the PE bag guide.
Special qualities:
- HDPE tubular film – higher tear resistance per wall thickness, more rustling
- Food-grade (EU 10/2011) → food-grade tubular film
- Extra strong for heavy/sharp-edged contents → extra strong tubular film
- 100% recycled LDPE (GRS) → sustainable films
- Cut to size → tubular film cut to size
- Tubular film on a roll – standard delivery form for machine packaging → tubular film on a roll
Dimensions: width, thickness, length, core
| Parameter | Standard range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Width (laid flat) | 100–800 mm | Larger widths on request as a bespoke order |
| Thickness | 30–200 microns | 30–60 microns: light · 60–120 microns: standard · 120–200 microns: heavy |
| Roll length | 200–1,000 m | depending on thickness and core size |
| Core | 76 mm (standard) | Other core sizes available for special machines |
| Outer roll | 200–500 mm | depending on length and thickness |
Applications at a glance
- Making your own bags – unroll, cut, seal, done (see film bag guide)
- Machine processing in packaging and sealing machines
- Carton liners – moisture protection for shipping goods
- Big bag liners – inner film for bulk goods sacks
- Corrosion protection – protect metal parts from moisture
- Storage and transport protection – protect semi-finished goods from dust and impact
- Industrial inner liners – in cardboard drums, buckets, mesh boxes
- Food liners – bakery, vacuum packing, farm shop
Making your own bags from PE tubular film
Here is roughly how it works:
- Unroll the tubular film to the desired length.
- Seal one side with the film sealing device (impulse or bar sealer).
- Fill it.
- Seal the second side – done.
For the detailed step-by-step guide including sealing settings per thickness, see our film bag guide.
Tubular film for machine processing
Industrial packaging machines process PE tubular film into mass products – from the bread liner to the shipping bag. Important requirements from the machine's point of view:
- Precise roll width (tolerance typically ± 1–2 mm)
- Uniform wall thickness (± 5% typical)
- Antistatic finish for certain filling goods
- Defined friction and slip value (friction coefficient)
- Specific core (76 mm standard, others on request)
For machine processing we specifically recommend the tubular film on a roll – standardised, with uniform tolerances.
Food-grade PE tubular film
For direct contact with food, use exclusively food-grade tubular film certified to EU 10/2011. We send the declaration of conformity on request. Typical applications: bakery liners, take-away packaging, vacuum packing of meat and cheese, sausage and ham packaging, direct marketing at the farm shop.
Special sizes, printing & confectioning
In addition to the standard sizes, we produce tubular film to individual specifications – in the desired width, the desired thickness, with custom printing and a defined core. Also available cut to size or as ready-made bag confectioning. Enquiries via bespoke orders.
Sustainability, GRS and recycling
LDPE tubular film is fully recyclable and belongs in the recycling collection. We offer films made from 100% recycled LDPE (GRS-certified) – functionally identical, with a much better carbon footprint. For brands with sustainability reporting, GRS certification is the recognised seal across the entire supply chain.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between tubular film and flat film?
Tubular film is seamlessly closed on two long sides – you only need to seal the top and bottom. Flat film is an open web without a longitudinal seam and needs either a folded edge or an additional side seam.
What core does the roll have?
The standard is a 76 mm cardboard core. For special machines we supply other core diameters on request.
Can I order PE tubular film in special sizes?
Yes – we produce PE tubular film in almost any width and thickness to specification. Special sizes are produced individually. Lead time on request. → bespoke orders.
Which film sealing devices work with PE tubular film?
Standard film sealing devices (impulse or bar sealer) process LDPE tubular film without any problem. You can find sealing time recommendations in the film bag guide.
Is tubular film also available in HDPE?
Yes – on request we supply HDPE tubular film for special applications in which the higher tear resistance per wall thickness is required.
Is there tubular film with an aluminium composite?
Genuine PE tubular film is single-material PE. For aroma protection or UV protection we offer aluminium-laminated composite films as a bespoke order – typical for coffee, tea and spices.
How do I store tubular film rolls correctly?
Standing or lying, dry, dark, at room temperature. Avoid UV radiation, otherwise LDPE can become brittle over months. In their original packaging, rolls are stable for many years.
Which thickness for which application?
30–60 microns for light contents, 60–120 microns standard, 120–200 microns for heavy or sharp-edged contents. Detailed table in the film bag guide.
Can I also get tubular film printed?
Yes – as part of a bespoke order we print tubular film with your logo. Flexographic and gravure printing are common.
How many bags do I get from one roll?
Example: 200 mm wide tube, 80 microns, 500 m roll, 30 cm bag length → approx. 1,665 bags per roll. Exact calculation via bag size and roll length.
Straight to the tubular film: → Tubular film overview · → on a roll · → food-grade · → all packaging films