Everything you need to know about Steel, PET, PP, Textile & Composite Strapping
In today’s fast-paced logistics and manufacturing landscape, strapping is more than just securing a load – it is a science of safety, performance and efficiency. Whether you’re shipping cartons or stabilizing multi-ton machinery, choosing the right strapping system determines product protection, cost efficiency and supply chain reliability.
This comprehensive guide walks you through all types of strapping, from entry-level basics to advanced technical details – ideal for procurement teams, OEMs, warehouses, exporters and packaging engineers.
What Is Strapping?
Strapping (also called banding) is the process of securing, bundling, palletizing, unitizing or reinforcing products using a tensioned strap.
It ensures:
- Load stability
- Protection during transit
- Reduced product damage
- Easier handling and storage
Different applications demand different materials – each with its own engineering benefits.
Polypropylene (PP) Strapping – Contrax
Best for Light to Medium-Duty Packaging
PP strapping is the most economical option and widely used for cartons, e-commerce, logistics, FMCG and bundling applications.
Key Benefits
- Lightweight and highly economical
- Excellent elongation and tension recovery
- Suitable for semi-automatic, automatic & hand tools
- Available in multiple colors, widths & embossing
Technical Strength
- Ideal for packages up to light-to-medium load range
- Works well with friction-weld and heat-seal tools
Perfect for Carton packaging, food & beverages, FMCG, e-commerce shipments
PET Strapping – Tenax
Best for Medium to Heavy-Duty Applications
PET is one of the strongest and most sustainable alternatives to steel.
It offers high tensile strength with shock absorption, making it suitable for heavy loads.
Key Benefits
- High retained tension
- Superior elongation & recovery
- UV-resistant
- Safer than steel, easier to handle
- Eco-friendly (100% recyclable)
Technical Highlights
- Perfect for pallet loads, bottles, construction materials
- Reliable friction weld performance
Common Uses: Bricks, tiles, appliances, metal coils, heavy pallets
Steel Strapping – Apex & Magnus
Steel remains the strongest and most durable strapping material for industrial use.
Apex Steel Strapping (Medium Duty)
Cold-rolled medium carbon steel with higher break strength at thinner gauge.
Benefits
- Break Load: 829 kg
- Deburred edges for operator safety
- Smooth, waxed surface for better tool performance
- Cost saving- replaces heavy gauge steel in many applications
- Best for light–medium loads, metal sheets, building materials, etc.
Magnus Steel Strapping (Heavy Duty)
Engineered for extreme tensile strength & shock resistance.
Benefits
- Break Load: 4669 kg
- Heat-treated steel
- High corrosion resistance
- Available in: Painted & Waxed, Zinc Coated & Waxed, Blued & Waxed
Ideal for steel mills, machinery, heavy engineering, export shipments
Textile Lashing – TexLash
Best for Heavy-Duty Lashing in Containers, Flatbeds, Export Cargo
Made from heavy-duty polyester textile fibers, TexLash provides maximum flexibility and strength.
Benefits
- Break Load: 5000 kg
- Exceptional elongation & shock absorption
- Weather & temperature resistant
- Soft, safe, and easy for operators
- Can be re-tensioned during transit
Perfect for containers, machinery, timber, industrial cargo
Composite Strap – Trefex
A hybrid between textile & polymer – strong, stiff, and extremely durable.
Benefits
- Break Load: 1500 kg
- High-tenacity yarn with UV-stabilized coating
- Excellent tension flow
- Allows re-tensioning
- Available in multiple colors for identification
- Moisture & weather-resistant
Used for palletizing, bundling pipes, coils, crates, fragile products
Choosing the Right Strap: Quick Comparison
| Strap Type | Strength | Best For | Cost | Safety | Weather Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PP (Contrax) |
Low–Medium |
Cartons, light loads |
★★★★☆ |
★★★★★ |
★★★☆☆ |
PET (Tenax) |
Medium–High |
Pallets, bricks, appliances |
★★★☆☆ |
★★★★★ |
★★★★☆ |
Apex Steel |
High |
Medium-duty industrial loads |
★★☆☆☆ |
★★★☆☆ |
★★★★☆ |
Magnus Steel |
Very High |
Heavy machinery, steel coils |
★★☆☆☆ |
★★☆☆☆ |
★★★★★ |
Texlash |
Very High |
Container lashing |
★★★★☆ |
★★★★★ |
★★★★★ |
Trefex |
Medium–High |
Palletizing, crates |
★★★★☆ |
★★★★★ |
★★★★★ |
Advanced Insights: Why Strapping Quality Matters
A high-quality strapping system ensures:
- Lower Cost Per Component (CPC)- Using the correct strap reduces material usage, tool wear and load failures.
- Operator Safety- Deburred steel, soft composite straps, and safe tensioning systems minimize injuries.
- Load Integrity- Break load, elongation, recovery & tension-retention determine cargo safety.
- Climate Performance- UV, moisture, corrosion and temperature resistance ensure reliability in diverse environments.
- Sustainability- PP, PET & composite straps are recyclable, supporting green supply chains.
TSW Packaging Solutions – Your End-to-End Strapping Partner
As an authorized Signode partner, TSW provides:
- Complete range of strapping solutions
- Tool selection (manual, pneumatic, battery-operated)
- Packaging audits & optimization
- Container lashing services
- Heavy-duty export packaging
- On-site support & maintenance
Whether you’re securing 5 kg cartons or 50-ton machinery, we help you choose the right strapping science for your industry.
Final Thoughts
Strapping is no longer a basic packaging step – it’s an engineering process that ensures stability, safety, efficiency and sustainability across the supply chain.
From PP to PET, Apex to Magnus, TexLash to Trefex, each strap plays a role in creating the perfect protection system for your products.