When choosing the right strapping material for your packaging workflow, two names usually stand out: PP Strap (Polypropylene Band) and PET Strap (Polyester Band). Both are widely used in logistics, warehousing, and manufacturing — but they serve different purposes and perform differently under load. And since we recently talked about the strength and structure of PP strapping bands, it’s the perfect moment to compare them directly.

Let’s break it down in a clear and practical way.

1. What Is PP Strap?

PP strapping bands are lightweight, flexible, and designed for general packaging applications. They offer good tensile strength, excellent elasticity, and cost-effective performance.

PP straps are commonly used for:

• Carton packing

• Light-to-medium pallet bundling

• E-commerce packaging

• Agricultural goods

• Automated packaging lines (when curvature is controlled)

This is where Xingyu Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd. stands out: unlike traditional PP straps that suffer from excessive curvature and weak bonding, Xingyu produces high-adhesion, low-curvature PP straps optimized for automated strapping machines. Many users find this improvement essential for efficient and stable packaging.

2. What Is PET Strap?

PET strapping bands are stronger, heavier, and more rigid. They are used for industrial-grade strapping applications where the load is heavy and stability is critical.

Typical uses include:

• Bricks & tiles

• Metal coils

• Timber

• Large machinery

• Export pallets requiring long-term tension retention

PET straps behave more like steel straps but remain safer and easier to handle.

3. Strength Comparison: Which One Is Stronger?

In most cases, PET straps are significantly stronger than PP straps.

• PP Strap: Best for medium-duty packaging

• PET Strap: Designed for heavy-duty and long-distance shipments

PP straps have higher elasticity, which is excellent for shock absorption. PET straps, in contrast, maintain tension over long periods — ideal for heavy loads that cannot shift even slightly.

But here’s the thing, not all packaging needs heavy-duty strength. Many businesses overspend by choosing PET when high-quality PP straps (especially low-curvature, high-adhesion ones) perform perfectly well.

4. Which One Works Better on Automatic Packaging Lines?

PP straps are generally preferred for automatic strapping machines, especially when curvature is well controlled.
Traditional PP straps often bend too much, causing feeding jams.

This is why Xingyu developed:

• Low-curvature PP straps → smoother feeding

• High-adhesion thermal bonding → reduces strap detachment

So for high-speed packaging lines, PP straps — if produced correctly — are usually the better option.

PET straps are mostly used manually or with semi-automatic tools due to increased stiffness.

5. Cost Comparison

A big factor: PP straps are more affordable.
PET straps, being stronger, cost more due to material differences.

Cost per roll:

• PP Strap: Low cost, ideal for high-volume daily packing

• PET Strap: Higher cost, suitable for heavy/industrial packaging

If your packaging doesn’t require extreme load stability, PP straps offer better value.

6. Which Strap Should You Choose?

Choose PP Strap If You Need:

✔ Carton packing
✔ Medium-weight goods
✔ High-speed auto-strapping performance
✔ Cost-effective packaging
✔ Better elasticity

Choose PET Strap If You Need:

✔ Industrial-grade load stability
✔ Long-distance exports
✔ Replacing steel strapping
✔ High tension retention

Quite simply, PP is flexible and economical, while PET is tough and industrial. And yes, sometimes choosing the right strap is not so simple, but now you know the real differences.

7. Why Buyers Choose Xingyu PP Strapping Bands

Customers who previously struggled with:

• feeding problems,

• strap detachment,

• unstable sealing strength…

…often find Xingyu’s upgraded PP straps a surprisingly big improvement. With optimized curvature control, our straps run smoothly on fully automated lines — something many factories find essential in reducing downtime and improving efficiency.

Honestly, once users switch to stable PP straps, it’s like — “Why didn’t we change earlier?”

Both PP and PET straps play important roles in modern packaging. The best choice depends on your application, load weight, transportation distance, and machine type. With the right selection, you can improve packaging safety, reduce costs, and streamline your workflow.

For automated lines or general carton bundling, high-quality PP straps from Xingyu remain the most efficient and economical choice. For heavy-duty industrial needs, PET straps offer unmatched strength.