The world of supply chain logistics is deep, complex, and highly time-sensitive. Polythene plays a major role in keeping all goods moving efficiently and securely. And we do mean all goods; polythene is involved in everything – from essentials like food, to frivolous Amazon purchases. With specialised films for banding, colour-coded sorting systems, and custom polymer blends, polythene offers flexibility and control like no other material.
Let’s explore how polythene transforms logistics, making supply chains safer, more efficient – and smarter than ever.
Colour-coded polythene: a simple solution with big impact
Coloured polythene films are a big win for logistics teams – and it’s so simple to implement. By using distinct colours to signify priority, destination, or special handling requirements, manufacturers and shipping companies can easily streamline warehouse operations – and reduce sorting errors.
As an example, imagine a system where red indicates urgent delivery, blue means goods for cold chain logistics, and yellow indicates fragile items. These visual cues make it easier to identify, prioritise, and allocate resources – and an item in the wrong stream will stick out like a sore thumb!
This ties in nicely with cold chain logistics, where time and temperature-sensitive goods (like perishable foods and pharmaceuticals), rely on a carefully managed process.
Learn more about polythene in cold chain logistics
In a nutshell, the cold chain is the transportation and logistical management of temperature-sensitive goods that runs around the world. The cold chain must be kept cold throughout its entire journey – and one weak link could spoil an entire shipment.
Polythene is super useful in the cold chain for a bunch of reasons; for one, it’s moisture-proof, and cold things are often wet. But it can also be manufactured to spec, with additives that enhance cold temperature performance.
Custom additives in polythene films for supply chains
So, as well as colour, polythene can be enhanced with custom additives to meet the unique demands of any supply chain. Sticking with the cold chain, cold-resistant plasticisers can be added to the polythene. These enhance flexibility and prevent brittleness at low temperatures, which can be extreme in the case of medical supplies.
Anti-static additives prevent static buildup for electronics shipments, and UV inhibitors protect products stored outdoors. These features reduce damage, improve shelf life, and maximise efficiency at every stage of the logistics process.
Functionality and simplicity
Not everything has to be precision-engineered, though. Some solutions are dead simple – like polythene banding film. These simple films can create strong loops of material that keep bundled items secure during transit. Whether it’s grouping small products for bulk shipping, or stabilising a pallet load, banding film makes light work of bulk shipping.
Smart packaging: a smarter supply chain
What’s the future of polythene in logistics? Well, we think it’s all about how polythene integrates with technology. Smart packaging solutions that use QR codes, NFC, or barcodes, allow real-time tracking and scanning throughout the supply chain.
For example, a polythene-wrapped package printed with a scannable code can instantly provide its destination, temperature status, or handling instructions to warehouse workers or logistics software. This tech-forward approach enhances operational efficiency, and reduces errors and waste. These are big concerns in today’s complex supply chains. That’s why we’ve tipped smart packaging as a major packaging design trend in 2025, as it meets so many goals – from sustainability to customer satisfaction.
Polythene’s versatility in overcoming supply chain challenges
The logistics industry continues to face disruptions – even years on from the lockdowns of the pandemic. And now, the sector faces a major challenge in the rising demand for sustainable packaging. Meeting sustainability targets and overcoming disruption, with sufficient redundancies in place, seems like a paradox.
But custom-blended polythene offers a solution; durable, lightweight materials that support streamlined operations, support long-term sustainability goals, and don’t compromise performance. With recycled-content films and an emerging circular economy, polythene is adapting to meet the growing need for sustainable logistics practices.
And it’s no longer a grassroots movement of SMEs and activists pushing for change; even the big guns are getting involved. Insights from oil giant Shell, a major polymer producer, highlight the importance of adapting supply chain strategies to overcome the hurdles of modern shipping and logistics. And through it all, polythene will be a part of it.
Supply chain polythene specialists
Talk to the polythene experts at NPF Packaging, and design your own custom polythene for logistics. Enquire online to get a quote now, or call us on 01773 820415 to find out more about our manufacturing and design process.
