MSK Stretch Hood Machines
MSK stretch hood machines: End-of-line solutions for secure pallet loads
MSK stretch hood machines secure palletized goods with a fully enclosed stretch film bag: 5-sided, waterproof, and consistent every cycle. As a high-performance alternative to wrapping, MSK stretch hooders deliver measurable advantages: rainwater and dust protection, no need of straps, lower energy use, improved load stability and far less film roll changes at high throughput.
The patented MSK Stretch-Hood process (EP 1 353 847 and EP 1 717 148) stretches the film precisely in any coordinates in longitudinal and transverse direction — customized to various pallet sizes. This allows the use of thinner films, improved stretch recovery and the packaging of a wide range of pallet formats. Customers including Electrolux, Miele, Uline, HWI or FRANPRIX have repeatedly relied on MSK stretch hood technology for over two decades.
Stretch hooders vs spiral stretch wrappers: the key advantage of hooders
Why leading companies in beverage, home appliances, building materials and chemicals are switching to stretch hood technology — saving energy costs, improve throughput and reduce maintenance.
✓ Load security optimal and repeatable – identical packaging for each pallet
✓ 5-sided protection against environmental influences and theft
✓ Reliably calculable film consumption
✓ Optimal brand presentation: barcode readable under one layer of film
✓ Compatible with PCR films EPA sustainability goals
✓ Ease machine operation with MSK EMSY visualization software
Sustainablility & EPA Compliance
All MSK stretch hood machines can process films with up to 35% post-consumer recycling content without any machine modification. The MSK modular design enables retrofitting to future regulatory requirements. Stretch-Hood technology consumes less film per pallet than stretch wrappers and operates without gas.
Part of Your End-of-Line System: Complete Integration from One Source
You need more than just a hooding machine? MSK can deliver the complete end-to-line logistics from goods receiving, to de-/palletizing, goods handling, packaging, conveying up to truck loading or warehousing. One accountability, one interface.
Why stretch hood – technology comparison
Choosing the right pallet packaging technology depends on your products, logistics requirements and sustainability goals. The following comparison highlights the key differences between spiral stretch wrapping and the MSK Stretch Hooder.
| Criteria | Sprial stretch wrapper | MSK stretch hooder |
|---|---|---|
| Load security | Variable — operator-dependent | ✓ Optimal & repeatable, every pallet |
| Product protection | 4-sided wrapped with foil tape | ✓ 5-sided, fully enclosed |
| Film consumption | Hard to predict | ✓ Down to 20 µm — precisely calculable |
| Throughput | Up to ~120 pallets/hour | ✓ Up to 250 pallets/hour (Tensiontech) |
| Theft protection | Low — top accessible | ✓ High — fully enclosed hood |
| Barcode readability | One film layer over labels | ✓ 100% readable under one film layer |
| PCR film compatible | Limited | ✓ Yes — up to 35% PCR content |
MSK stretch hooder – the stretch wrapping alternative in action
In this video, a wide range of products are safely and reliably wrapped using MSK hood stretchers. The film gently envelops each load, fitting smoothly around it like a second skin to ensure maximum protection and stability.
Why are MSK stretch hooders the best choice?
With MSK hood stretching systems, you are ideally equipped to meet the needs of your industry:
MSK Stretch Hood Machines: Tensiontech and Wraptech at a glance
Two stretch hood machines for every application — both fully automatic, without hydraulic or gas systems.
- Tensiontech: stretch hooder for high performances and sophisticated applications
- Wraptech: easy to operate single-format stretch hooder for bagged goods and stones
MSK Tensiontech: High performance pallet packaging
Fully automatic stretch hooder using a special film stretching process, enabling the packaging of a wide variety of different load units. The film hood is stretched individually for each pallet dimension in any coordinates in longitudinal and transverse direction. Up to six film formats without changeover time, very low energy consumption and lubricant-free timing belt technology contribute to the sustainability of the system.
MSK Wraptech: Single-Format for Bags and Chemicals
Designed for standard applications: For bags, octabins, and big bags on standard pallets MSK offers the Wraptech stretch-hooding system. lubrication-free toothed belt drive, minimal operator training through EMSY control system. No hydraulic, no gas — safe in chemical and industrial environments.
Technical advantages:
✓ Up to 180 pallets per hour (euro-/industrial pallets)
✓ Up to 6 film formats
✓ <0.07 kW per pallet: no hydraulic, no gas
✓ PCR recycled films compatible
✓ Lowerable machine head to operator level avoiding use of platforms or ladders
Technical advantages:
✓ Up to 60 pallets per hour
✓ One film format, flexible for various opening dimensions
✓ PCR recycled films compatible
✓ Lowerable machine head to operator level avoiding use of platforms or ladders
✓ Fast installation
MSK Tensiontech at Unilever
For the Unilever production plant, high-performance intralogistics are essential. Three stretch-hooders of the type Tensiontech package the palletized products with a flexible stretch-hood for storage and transport. The packaging ensures a high level of protection against dirt, moisture and theft. With its low consumption of energy and film due to the patented MSK stretch technique, the machines contribute to the sustainability of the packaging line.
> read more about this case study here
MSK Wraptech at MC-Bauchemie
MC-Bauchemie, an international producer of building chemical products, opted for stretch hood systems from MSK. “The majority of our products find their way directly to the construction site. With this solution, the products are better protected against weather impacts. Moreover, we have lower film consumption per load unit, which is important to us particularly because of the sustainability aspect,” says Burkhard Bergmann, Head of Logistics Systems & Maintenance at MC-Bauchemie, explaining the choice of this new packaging solution.
Further advantages of MSK stretch hooders
Brand Presentation & Theft Protection
MSK stretch hood machines enable the use of high-quality printed films — for maximum brand visibility directly on the packaged goods. The smooth film surface provides a uniform high-quality print area. With transparent films, barcodes and RFID codes can be scanned without opening the packaging.
The fully enclosed film hood provides significantly increased protection against theft — access to individual products is impossible without visible damage to the packaging. A critical factor for high-value goods in distribution and retail supply chains.
Understretch procedure
Collar stretch procedure
Belt stretch procedure
Three hood application processes for maximum load stability
Collar stretch: Film seam rests on pallet top board — pallet feet film-free. Essential for AGVs and automated storage/warehousing (ASRS). (Ref: Miele, FRANPRIX)
Understretch: Film pulled deep under pallet feet. Maximum vertical tensioning force especially heavy goods and chemicals. (Ref: SABIC)
Belt stretch: Additional film belt at critical load height. Important for uneven weight distribution and particularly unstable loads.
EMSY – easy operation of MSK systems
EMSY (Electronic Management System) makes controlling complex systems very easy and reduces the training time required for employees.
✓ Clearly structured, intuitive user interface
✓ State-of-the-art touch panel and 3D animations ensure easy and intuitive operation
✓ Easy parametrization for a variety of product dimensions
✓ Support for maintenance, spare parts requirements and troubleshooting
Your product. Our machine. Your results.
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Test your packaging concept with your actual products and our machines.
Frequently asked questions
In this FAQ section, we answer frequently asked questions about spiral stretch wrapping and stretch hooding – from how each technology works and their typical applications to their key benefits.
What is a stretch hooder?
A stretch hooder is a fully automatic stretch packaging machine that pulls a tubular film hood over a load from above. The patented MSK Stretch-Hood process for film gathering and the MSK vertical stretch process (EP 1 353 847 and EP 1 717 148) were specially developed to lower film consumption with enhancing load stability. The load is secured on 5 sides — all four sides and the top — waterproof, dust-proof, and protected against theft. The smooth film surface enables optimal brand presentation and 100% barcode readability.
What is the difference between a stretch hood machine and a stretch hooder?
The terms stretch hood machine and stretch hooder describe the same equipment type. MSK offers two models: the fully automatic Tensiontech for up to 180 pallets per hour for loads on pallets, and the Wraptech for single-format applications with bags and chemical goods up to 60 pallets per hour. Both operate without hydraulic and gas, using under 0.07 kW per pallet.
How does a stretch hooder secure loads better than a spiral stretch wrapper?
A stretch hooder encloses the pallet with a stretch film hood uniformly under defined pre-tension — on all four sides and the top, repeatable on every pallet. The Stretch-Hood process stretches precisely in both length and width directions. Reference: Miele Bielefeld significantly reduced transport damage after switching to Tensiontech.
Stretch hooder vs. semi-automatic stretch wrapper?
A stretch hood machine encloses the pallet on five sides - top and all four sides, waterproof. A stretch wrapper spirally wraps film — top remains open, tension varies by operator. With stretch hooders only one layer of film is needed to be used, so barcodes and products underneath the packaging are clearly visible.
How many pallets per hour does an MSK stretch hooder achieve?
Tensiontech: fully automatic, up to 250 pallets per hour for loads on pallets — suitable for beverage, building materials, chemicals and distribution centers. For the appliance industry the Tensiontech can have a performance speed of up to 280 products per hour.
Wraptech: bags and chemical goods, up to 60 pallets per hour.
Both fully automatic with lubrication-free toothed belt drives.
What film formats does an Tensiontech accept?
The Tensiontech processes up to six different film formats fully automatically — format changes via EMSY control without manual changeover time. Compatible: polyolefin films from 20µm and with up to 35% PCR-content. Film roll changes outside the guarded area — machine continues running without production interruption.
What is the collar-stretch, under-stretch, and belt-stretch process?
Collar-Stretch: film seam at pallet top board — pallet feet film-free, essential for AGVs and automated storage (ref: Miele, FRANPRIX).
Under-Stretch: film pulled deep under pallet feet, ideal for chemicals and heavy loads (ref: SABIC).
Belt-Stretch: additional film belt at critical load height for uneven weight distribution.
How does EMSY work?
EMSY is MSK's proprietary HMI machine control software — developed, maintained, and continuously enhanced exclusively by MSK. The state-of-the-art touch panel and 3D animations ensure easy and intuitive operation of packaging machines. This helps reduce operator training periods. Information from all kinds of peripheral devices is managed by the software and can be forwarded to your system (MES, ERP, SCADA, etc.) The EMSY smart app delivers real-time machine status to mobile devices. Remote service via IXON Cloud allows MSK service to resolve faults remotely.
Can I test stretch wrapping at MSK?
Yes. At the MSK Customer Technical Center in Acworth, GA customers test their actual products on MSK stretch hood machines. Comparative tests: stretch hood and shrink hood and transport simulations. Also at our subsidiaries at MSK Verpackungs-Systeme GmbH in Kleve, Germany, and at MSK Emballage SARL in Reyrieux, France tests are possible.
How to reach MSK service for maintenance or troubleshooting?
Our service technicians are available for you around the clock upon conclusion of an individual service contract with 24/7 on-call service. Via EMSY and IXON Cloud remote access, MSK service diagnoses and resolves faults remotely — without travel time or waiting. Physical service via US service network.
