Applications

Agri Films

Many applications can be covered by this category but, in general agricultural films can be defined as those films associated with any of the activities performed during soil preparations, planting, plant growth, crop collection, storage or packaging. According to the particular application and the desired effect over the crop or final products, these films will have different structures and material combinations.

Some examples of applications for agricultural films such as greenhouses coverings, low tunnel coverings, mulch film, soil sterilization and fumigation film, stretch for silage, silo films and finally films for packaging and protection

Product Specifications

Greenhouse covering, low tunnel film, mulch film, soil sterilization and fumigation film, silage film, film for water reservoirs, and film for packaging and protection have their application in the agricultural industry in common, however they each have particular specifications and demands depending on the effects desired.

  • Thicknesses for films for greenhouses coverings are typically  4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 mils (100, 125, 150, 175 or 200 microns approx.)

Low tunnels are small semicircular greenhouses used mostly for vegetable growth. They require only a small investment in terms of structure. Normally metallic or plastic arcs are used to support the film. During the day depending on the weather conditions, the film can be rolled and fixed to the structure to permit good ventilation for the plants. These semicircular structures can be from 18 to 33 inches (46 to 83 cm) in height.

  • Thickness: From 0.8 to 4 mils (20 - 100 microns). Care must be taken with the thin films because their thickness and the possibility of being moved or rolled up make them more susceptible to damage.
  • Width: Between 55 and 102 inches (140 - 260 cm) depending on the structure and crop type

Film Extrusion Technology

The primary processe to produce agricultural films is blown film.  Some specific applications such as mulch film can be produced also by cast extrusion although the resulting properties will be very different to those obtained in blown film.

Click in Solution-Blown Films-Agricultural Films  if your want to learn more about the equipment needed to produce these films.