Tight wrap!

In the fluorescent-lit backrooms of South African supermarkets, the quiet hum of packaging machinery is the unseen pulse of produce logistics. It’s where citrus boxes are tightly shrink-wrapped and bananas gleam behind crystal-clear film – wrapped not in the cling wrap of yesteryear, but in polyolefin shrink film, the unsung hero in the war against plastic waste. 

At the heart of this shift stands Trempak, a Johannesburg-based company with over two decades of expertise in shrink packaging, navigating the volatile terrain of sustainability, shelf life and retail presentation with the precision of a scalpel.

Polyolefin shrink film, often overshadowed by its noisy cousins – PVC, PE stretch film and stretch polypropylene – has quietly emerged as a top contender for fresh produce packaging, and Trempak has made it its business to make South Africa pay attention. ‘We’ve been working in the polyolefin shrink sector for over 20 years,’ says Brenda Harris, head of marketing at Trempak. ‘But it’s our expertise in pairing  the right film with the right machine – and with the right produce – that sets us apart. That’s where real sustainability begins.’

At a glance, the clear wrap around a box of ripe avocados or a tray of oranges may seem mundane. But underneath its gloss lies a set of performance attributes that cling wrap can’t compete with: polyolefin shrink film is lighter, recyclable and engineered with additives that preserve freshness, retard ripening and reduce fogging. Brenda explains: ‘Our thinner gauge polyolefin films not only reduce the volume of plastic used, but they also come with anti-fog and special perforation properties to help extend the shelf life of the product and prevent the box from absorbing too much moisture. It’s less plastic and better protection, all in one.’

A key feature of the material is its adaptability to the rapid pace of commercial fruit packing. The film shrinks snugly around produce, allowing it to be stacked, stored and displayed with uniform precision. It’s this kind of dual-purpose functionality – protection and presentation – that has earned Trempak its reputation. At Woolworths, for example, citrus boxes bearing the ClemenGold brand are now shrink-wrapped in polyolefin rather than conventional stretch film, providing superior product visibility and mechanical strength.

Yet film alone does not make a packaging revolution. It’s the machinery – the clunky, humming, indispensable muscle behind the scenes – that brings it to life. Enter Smipack, Italy’s powerhouse of shrink-wrapping machinery, for which Trempak is the exclusive distributor in South Africa. Francois Cronje, managing director of Trempak Machinery, explains the appeal: ‘Smipack machinery hits that sweet spot between affordability and advanced engineering. The machines are versatile, switching effortlessly between film formats, and are ideal for packhouses running multiple product lines.’

That versatility is vital in a country where citrus seasonality drives erratic demand. ‘Right now, there are about 25 Smipack machines used specifically for citrus during the packing season,’ says Francois. ‘But what makes these machines valuable year-round is their ability to handle other film applications too – stationery, hardware, even electronics. The majority of our customers use them for polyolefin films, about 90% of applications.’

In a market slowly weaning itself off single-use plastics, the numbers add up. Polyolefin shrink film is up to 60% lighter than traditional PVC, reducing both environmental burden and transport costs. And its recyclability feeds more seamlessly into South Africa’s developing circular economy than older film formats ever could. ‘The switch from PVC to polyolefin isn’t just a trend – it’s a necessity,’ Francois adds. ‘For delicate fruits such as avocados or ready-to-eat mangoes, the film provides superior protection. And it looks better too – glossier, clearer, more appealing on the shelf.’

Trempak’s long-standing collaboration with international partners Bolloré (the French film manufacturer) and Smipack has allowed it to bring the full package to market – machine and material, support and service. ‘This isn’t a plug-and-play industry,’ Brenda notes. ‘Every customer, every product line, every supermarket chain needs something tailored. That’s why having expertise in both the film and the machine is critical. We’re not just suppliers – we’re solution providers.’

Trempak stocks all spare parts locally, offers training and after-sales support and provides complete technical assistance for Smipack installations across the country. Its presence ensures that South African packhouses don’t just receive boxes of machinery but a functioning, fine-tuned system.