Cling Wrap vs Plastic Wrap vs Saran Wrap: What’s the Difference?

Quick answer: Yes — saran wrap, cling wrap, plastic wrap, and cling film are all names for the same product. The name varies by region: saran wrap (US), cling film (UK/Australia), plastic wrap (Canada/US generic), cling wrap (Australia/NZ). The real difference is not the name — it is the material: PVC clings hardest (8-12 microns, commercial kitchens), PE is microwave-safe (10-15 microns, consumer brands), and the original PVDC was discontinued by Saran Wrap in 2004. If your saran wrap “doesn’t stick like it used to,” the manufacturer literally switched from PVDC to polyethylene.

The naming is purely regional. But underneath those names, the film itself can be PVC, PE, or the original PVDC — and those three plastics behave very differently in cling strength, food safety, microwave use, thickness, and price.

Quick terminology reference

Before we get into materials, here is the cheat sheet. Five names, one product:

Term	Mostly Used In	Typical Meaning
Saran Wrap	USA, Canada	Brand name for plastic food wrap (originally PVDC, now PE since 2004)
Cling Film	UK, Australia, NZ, Europe	Generic term for plastic food wrap
Plastic Wrap	USA, Canada	Generic category name — the most neutral term
Cling Wrap	Australia, informal US	Same as cling film
Food Wrap	International / commercial	Broadest industry term covering all food-contact films

So when someone searches “saran wrap vs cling wrap” or “saran wrap vs plastic wrap” or “is plastic wrap the same as saran wrap” — the answer is yes, they are the same product. The only real differences are the region you are in and the material inside the roll.

If you just want to know what to call it in different countries, see the detailed naming table below or our complete food wrap terminology guide in 12 languages. If you want to know which material to actually buy, skip to the PVC vs PE vs PVDC comparison. If you are a commercial buyer looking at thickness and cost, jump to saran wrap thickness. And if you are wondering about stretch film vs cling wrap — those are completely different products (one is for pallets, the other is for food).

Here is the global naming map, organized by country so you can find exactly what plastic wrap is called wherever you are:

What is plastic wrap called in every country?

Country / Region	Common Name(s)	Popular Brand(s)	Notes
United States	Saran Wrap, Plastic Wrap	Saran (S.C. Johnson), Glad, Stretch-Tite	”Saran wrap” used generically like “Band-Aid”
Canada	Plastic Wrap, Saran Wrap	Saran, Glad	Both terms equally common
United Kingdom	Cling Film	Bacofoil, Lakeland	”Plastic wrap” is rarely understood
Ireland	Cling Film	Bacofoil	Same as UK usage
Australia	Cling Wrap, Glad Wrap	Glad (Clorox)	“Glad Wrap” is the dominant brand name
New Zealand	Cling Wrap, Glad Wrap	Glad	Same as Australia
Germany, Austria	Frischhaltefolie	Toppits, Saran	Literally “freshness-keeping foil”
France	Film alimentaire	Alfapac	Literally “food film”
Spain, Latin America	Film transparente, Envoltura plastica	Albal, Magipack	”Papel film” also used in Argentina
Brazil, Portugal	Filme plastico, Papel filme	Wyda, Parafilm	”PVC” used colloquially in Brazil
Japan	ラップ (rappu)	Saran Wrap (Asahi Kasei), Kure Wrap	Asahi Kasei licenses the Saran brand
China, Taiwan	保鲜膜 (bao xian mo)	Miaojie, Cleanwrap	Literally “freshness-preserving film”
India	Cling Film, Cling Wrap	Ezee, Hindalco	British English influence
Middle East (UAE, Saudi)	Cling Film	Delight, Super Touch	Both PVC and PE widely sold
South Korea	랩 (raep)	Clean Wrap, Cleanwrap	Often sold in dispenser boxes
Commercial / Food-Service	Food Wrap, Catering Film	—	Industry-standard generic term

So if someone asks “what is another name for saran wrap?” or “what is another name for cling wrap?” — the answer is all of the above. They are all the same product. The name depends on where you live, not what the product does.

For the complete naming guide across 30+ countries and 12 languages — including pronunciation and sourcing keywords — see our What Do Americans Call Cling Film? terminology guide. For help choosing the right cling film roll size for your market, see our roll sizes guide.

Is saran wrap the same as plastic wrap?

Yes — saran wrap and plastic wrap are the same thing. “Plastic wrap” is the generic descriptive term used in the United States. “Saran Wrap” is a brand name (originally Dow Chemical, now S.C. Johnson) that became so popular it turned into a generic term — the same way people say “Band-Aid” instead of “adhesive bandage” or “Jacuzzi” instead of “hot tub.”

Today, the Saran Wrap brand product is made from LDPE polyethylene — the exact same material used in most generic “plastic wrap” products on store shelves. So when you buy Store Brand Plastic Wrap for $2.49 and Saran Wrap for $4.99, you are buying the same type of plastic. The difference is the box and the marketing.

For a complete comparison of all food wrap options including aluminum foil and wax paper, see our food wrap types and materials guide.

Glad Wrap vs Saran Wrap: is there a difference?

Glad Wrap (made by Clorox) and Saran Wrap (made by S.C. Johnson) are competing brands of the same product. Both are LDPE polyethylene consumer wraps. In independent lab testing, they perform nearly identically in cling strength, clarity, and food safety. Glad Wrap dominates in Australia and New Zealand the way Saran Wrap dominates in the US — pure brand geography.

The only meaningful difference between consumer brands is price. And the real value gap is between any consumer brand and commercial-grade PVC cling film: commercial PVC costs $0.80-1.10/roll FOB versus $3-5 retail for branded PE wraps, with significantly stronger cling. See our wholesale PVC cling film pricing.

What do Americans call cling film?

Americans call cling film saran wrap or plastic wrap. The term “cling film” is rarely used in the United States — if you asked for cling film in an American grocery store, you might get a blank stare.

“Saran Wrap” started as a brand name. Dow Chemical launched it in 1953 as the first consumer plastic food wrap sold in America. The brand became so dominant that the name stuck as a generic term — the same way Americans say “Band-Aid” for any adhesive bandage or “Kleenex” for any tissue. Even though S.C. Johnson now owns the Saran brand, most Americans use “saran wrap” to mean any plastic food wrap regardless of manufacturer.

“Plastic wrap” is the other common American term. It is more generic and technically accurate, but less commonly used in everyday speech than “saran wrap.”

For the complete naming map across 30+ countries and 12 languages — including what Brits, Australians, and Spanish-speakers call it — see our What Do Americans Call Cling Film? terminology guide.

What does “saran wrap” mean? (Name origin and etymology)

“Saran” is not a generic English word — it is a brand name coined by Dow Chemical in the 1940s. The name was created by combining “Sarah” (the wife of John Reilly, a researcher involved in the product’s development) and “Ann” (the wife of Ralph Wiley, the Dow lab worker who accidentally discovered the PVDC polymer in 1933). So “Saran” = Sarah + Ann.

The original product was a PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride) film developed during World War II for military use, protecting ammunition and equipment from moisture. Dow trademarked “Saran” and launched the consumer version in 1953.

Today the Saran Wrap trademark is owned by S.C. Johnson & Son. The irony is that modern Saran Wrap is made from a completely different plastic (LDPE) than the original PVDC formula — so the name survives even though the product inside has fundamentally changed. For a deeper dive into what saran wrap actually is — the materials, thickness data, manufacturing process, and saran wrap meaning as a term — see our complete saran wrap guide.

What do Australians call cling film?

Australians call cling film cling wrap or glad wrap. The term “cling film” (British English) is understood but not commonly used in Australia or New Zealand.

“Glad Wrap” is the dominant brand in Australia and New Zealand, manufactured by Clorox. Like Saran Wrap in America, the brand name became the generic term — Australians ask for “glad wrap” the way Americans ask for “saran wrap.”

What is saran wrap made of?

Modern Saran Wrap (the S.C. Johnson brand) is made from LDPE — low-density polyethylene, a soft, flexible plastic that is microwave-safe and BPA-free. This is the same plastic used in grocery bags and squeeze bottles.

But it was not always this way. The original Saran Wrap (1953-2004) was made from PVDC — polyvinylidene chloride, a completely different polymer with exceptional oxygen barrier properties and aggressive self-cling. PVDC was more expensive to produce and harder to recycle, so S.C. Johnson switched to the cheaper LDPE formula in 2004. The result: lower cost, better recyclability, but noticeably weaker cling — which leads to the next question everyone asks.

Why doesn’t saran wrap stick anymore?

If you feel like saran wrap “used to be better,” you are not imagining it. The product literally changed.

Before 2004, Saran Wrap was PVDC. The polyvinylidene chloride molecule has a natural ability to attract and bond to smooth surfaces — glass, ceramic, stainless steel — without any adhesive. That self-cling was the product’s defining feature.

After 2004, Saran Wrap became LDPE. Polyethylene relies on static charge and mild surface tension for cling, which is significantly weaker than PVDC’s molecular attraction. The wrap still works, but you have to press it harder, smooth it more carefully, and accept that it will not grip as tightly on curved surfaces or cold containers.

Practical workaround: If you need stronger cling, commercial-grade PVC cling film (the type used in supermarket delis) outperforms consumer PE-based wraps. PVC’s food-grade plasticizers give it self-cling that approaches the original PVDC performance — at a fraction of the cost. See our PVC cling film range

Is saran wrap the same as cellophane?

No — saran wrap and cellophane are completely different products made from different raw materials.

Feature	Saran Wrap / Cling Wrap	Cellophane
Raw material	Petroleum-based plastic (PE or PVC)	Regenerated cellulose (wood pulp)
Cling	Yes — sticks to bowls, plates, and itself	No — does not cling at all
Primary use	Food storage, covering leftovers	Gift wrapping, candy wrapping, packaging
Microwave safe?	PE: Yes / PVC: No	No — not heat resistant
Biodegradable?	No (PE/PVC take 100+ years)	Yes — cellulose breaks down naturally
Transparency	Crystal clear (PVC) to slightly hazy (PE)	Crystal clear with a crisp, crinkly texture
Cost	$0.80-1.10/roll FOB (commercial PVC)	$2.00-4.00/roll FOB

The confusion comes from the fact that both products are thin, transparent films. But cellophane does not stretch or cling — it is rigid and crinkly. If you need food-safe cling, you want plastic wrap (PE or PVC), not cellophane.

What cling wrap is actually made of

Regardless of what it is called, there are only two types commonly sold today:

PVC cling wrap (polyvinyl chloride)

The original and still dominant material for commercial food wrap. PVC film contains food-grade plasticizers that give it natural self-cling — the film sticks to itself and to smooth surfaces without any adhesive. This is why it works so well on glass bowls and ceramic plates.

PVC cling wrap is typically 8-12 microns thick, crystal clear, and easy to tear straight on a cutter box. It is the standard in supermarket deli counters and meat departments worldwide. For a complete overview of PVC film properties, applications, and specifications, see our PVC wrap film guide. Browse our PVC cling film products

One limitation: PVC is not microwave-safe. The plasticizers can migrate into food at high temperatures.

PE cling wrap (polyethylene)

The safer, more environmentally friendly alternative. PE cling wrap does not contain plasticizers — it relies on static charge and surface tension for a milder cling effect. It is microwave-safe, BPA-free, and easier to recycle (LDPE, plastic #4).

PE is typically 10-15 microns thick (slightly thicker than PVC) and has a faint milky haze compared to PVC’s crystal clarity. Browse our PE cling film products

Fun fact: the original Saran Wrap was made from PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride), which had incredible cling. In 2004, the brand switched to LDPE — which is why many Americans complain that “saran wrap doesn’t stick like it used to”. It literally is a different plastic now.

PVC vs PE vs PVDC: which material is best?

Here is the side-by-side comparison that matters when you are choosing — or sourcing — cling wrap:

Feature	PVC (polyvinyl chloride)	PE / LDPE (polyethylene)	PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
Cling strength	Excellent — natural self-cling from plasticizers	Moderate — relies on static charge	Superior — strongest cling of all three
Cling force (ASTM D5458)	4.0-6.0 N/25mm	1.5-2.5 N/25mm	6.0-8.0 N/25mm
Cling force (suction method, g/cm²)	15-22 g/cm²	8-12 g/cm²	22-28 g/cm²
Clarity / haze	Crystal clear (<2% haze)	Slight milky haze (5-8% haze)	Crystal clear (<2% haze)
Microwave safe?	No — plasticizers migrate at high temperatures	Yes — safe up to 110 C (230 F)	No — not recommended above 60 C
Heat resistance (max temp)	60 C (140 F)	110 C (230 F)	60 C (140 F)
Cold resistance (min temp)	-10 C (14 F)	-30 C (-22 F)	-18 C (0 F)
Thickness range	8-12 microns (thinnest)	10-15 microns	10-12 microns
Oxygen barrier (OTR)	Low (~150 cc/m2/day)	Low (~200 cc/m2/day)	Very high (~5 cc/m2/day, 30-40x better than PE)
Moisture barrier (WVTR)	Moderate (~30 g/m2/day)	Low (~15 g/m2/day)	Excellent (~2 g/m2/day)
Tensile strength	30-50 MPa	10-25 MPa	50-70 MPa
Elongation at break	200-350%	300-500%	40-100%
Food contact approved	FDA 21 CFR 177.1950, EU 10/2011	FDA 21 CFR 177.1520, EU 10/2011	FDA 21 CFR 177.1980
Cost (FOB China)	$0.80-1.10/roll	$1.00-1.40/roll	$2.50-4.00/roll (limited supply)
BPA-free?	Yes	Yes	Yes
Phthalate-free?	Uses DEHA or ATBC (food-grade, non-phthalate)	No plasticizers needed	No plasticizers needed
Recyclable?	Rarely accepted (code #3)	Yes — grocery bag drop-off bins (code #4)	Rarely accepted
Still widely sold?	Yes — dominant in commercial food service	Yes — growing in consumer market	Mostly discontinued (legacy Saran Wrap)
Best for	Deli counters, meat wrapping, commercial kitchens	Home kitchen, microwave cooking, retail brands	Cheese aging, high-barrier packaging (niche)

Key takeaway: PVC wins on cling and clarity at the lowest cost — that is why supermarkets and delis still use it worldwide. PE wins on food safety and recyclability. PVDC was the original premium material but has largely been phased out due to cost and environmental concerns. For a deep dive into PVC film properties, see our PVC wrap film guide. For detailed technical specs comparing PVC and PE, see our PVC vs PE cling film technical comparison.

Which type should you choose?

• Supermarket deli counter / meat wrapping — PVC. Nothing else matches its self-cling on cold, wet surfaces. See our food-grade cling film
• Home kitchen / microwave use — PE. Safe for direct food contact at cooking temperatures. See our PE cling film
• Restaurant / HORECA kitchen — PVC for cold prep and plating; PE for anything going into a microwave. HORECA cling film sourcing guide
• Premium retail private label — PE with “microwave safe” and “BPA-free” on the box. Consumers prefer it for the safety perception. OEM cling film guide
• Cheese, smoked meat, high-barrier packaging — PVDC or multilayer PVDC-coated film — if oxygen barrier matters, this is the only option.
• Budget wholesale / export market — PVC. The $0.80/roll FOB price makes it the default for price-sensitive markets in Southeast Asia, Middle East, and Africa. Wholesale pricing guide

Need cling wrap in bulk? Whether you call it saran wrap, cling wrap, or plastic wrap, SUNWRAP manufactures both PVC cling film and PE cling film — factory direct from Ningbo, FDA-compliant, $0.80/roll FOB. Browse all product lines or request a quote.

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Sourcing PVC or PE cling film from a factory?

SUNWRAP is a Ningbo manufacturer — not a trading company. We produce both food-grade PVC and PE cling film: FDA-compliant, SGS-tested, from $0.80/roll FOB. MOQ 3,000 rolls. Pre-shipment test reports provided as standard.

Tell us your roll width, thickness, market, and target price — we reply within 24h.

Request a Free Factory Quote →  ·  WhatsApp +86 182-6866-1068

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What to write on your OEM purchase order

Nine fields separate a clean factory order from a dispute-ridden one. When you issue a PO or RFQ to a Chinese cling film factory, specify all of these:

Specification field	PVC (commercial)	PE (consumer/retail)	Why it matters
Material	PVC + DEHA or ATBC plasticizer	LDPE or LLDPE	Factory defaults to cheapest variant; ATBC is stricter than DEHA for EU market
Width	e.g. 300mm ±2mm	e.g. 300mm ±2mm	Tolerance creep makes rolls incompatible with dispensers and cutter boxes
Length	e.g. 300m ±1%	e.g. 30m ±1%	Under-measurement on roll length is the most common first-order dispute
Thickness	e.g. 10 micron ±0.5	e.g. 12 micron ±1.0	Too thin = tearing in the field; too thick = unnecessary material cost per roll
Core inner diameter	25mm, 38mm, or 76mm (specify)	25mm (standard)	Wrong core ID = incompatible with buyer’s dispensers; replacement cost falls on you
Cling force (minimum)	≥4.5 N/25mm (ASTM D5458)	≥1.5 N/25mm	Cling force below spec triggers consumer complaints and retailer returns
Food safety certification	FDA 21 CFR 177.1950 + SGS/BV test report	FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 + SGS/BV report	Without third-party cert, shipments may be held at customs
Market labeling standard	EU 10/2011 Art. 15 (EU) / LFGB §30,31 (Germany)	Bill 96 bilingual (Canada French/English)	Label non-compliance means market rejection at the importer’s cost
Packaging format	Bulk shrink-wrap / retail cutter box	Retail box with cutter	Specify rolls-per-bundle and bundles-per-carton to lock freight cube

A reputable Chinese cling film manufacturer will provide a pre-shipment test report from SGS, Intertek, or Bureau Veritas confirming these specs. If they hesitate, that is a signal they are either a trader (not a factory) or running below-spec material. For a complete supplier screening checklist, see our cling film supplier evaluation guide.

What is cling wrap called in Chinese?

If you are sourcing cling wrap from Chinese manufacturers, the key terms are:

保鲜膜 (bao xian mo) — the standard Chinese term. Use this on 1688.com and Chinese-language supplier platforms.

PVC cling film or PE cling film — use these on English-language platforms like Alibaba, Made-in-China, and Global Sources. Chinese manufacturers prefer “cling film” over “plastic wrap” or “saran wrap” in their English product listings.

食品级 (shi pin ji) — means “food grade”. Add this to your search to filter for food-safe products.

For the full buyer glossary (Chinese factory terms like 丝 and 缠绕膜, plus Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese and other market names), see cling film in Spanish, Chinese and 10 other languages. For a complete sourcing guide, see how to choose a cling film supplier from China.

Saran Wrap Thickness: How Thick Is Saran Wrap?

So how thick is saran wrap exactly? The answer depends on the material and intended application. Standard consumer saran wrap (the kind you buy at a grocery store) is 8 to 12 microns thick — that is 0.008 to 0.012 mm, or roughly 0.31 to 0.47 mil. To put that in perspective, a human hair is about 70 microns thick, so saran wrap is 5 to 8 times thinner than a single strand of hair.

Here is the complete saran wrap thickness chart by type and application:

Type	Thickness (Micron)	Thickness (Mil)	Thickness (mm)	Weight (g/m2)	Use Case
Consumer PVC wrap	8-12 microns	0.31-0.47 mil	0.008-0.012 mm	10-17 g/m2	Home kitchen, covering bowls and plates
Consumer PE wrap (modern Saran Wrap)	10-15 microns	0.39-0.59 mil	0.010-0.015 mm	9-14 g/m2	Home kitchen, microwave safe
Supermarket deli / food service PVC	12-14 microns	0.47-0.55 mil	0.012-0.014 mm	17-20 g/m2	Tray wrapping, deli counters
Meat wrapping PVC	15-17 microns	0.59-0.67 mil	0.015-0.017 mm	21-24 g/m2	Butcher shops, bone-in cuts
Machine wrapping / commercial	18-20 microns	0.71-0.79 mil	0.018-0.020 mm	25-28 g/m2	Automatic tray wrappers
Industrial stretch film	22-35 microns	0.87-1.38 mil	0.022-0.035 mm	20-32 g/m2	Pallet wrapping, cold storage

Why thickness matters for commercial buyers

A 12-micron PVC cling film costs approximately 16% more per roll than an 8-micron film of the same dimensions, but it reduces tearing complaints by 40-50% in high-speed wrapping operations. The economic sweet spot for most food-service applications is 10-12 micron PVC — it balances cost, clarity, puncture resistance, and cling strength.

For heavy items like bone-in meat cuts and cheese wheels, upgrading to 15-17 microns prevents punctures from sharp edges. Our factory testing data shows that 15-micron PVC film withstands 2.3x the puncture force of 10-micron film (measured per ASTM D1709 dart drop method).

How thick is the Saran Wrap brand specifically?

Modern Saran Wrap (the S.C. Johnson product sold in US stores) is made from LDPE polyethylene at roughly 11-12 microns. The original pre-2004 PVDC formula was approximately 10-12 microns but felt “thicker” because PVDC has inherently stronger cling than PE — which is why many people perceive that saran wrap “got thinner” when in reality it changed materials, not thickness.

Saran wrap thickness vs other common films

For context, here is how saran wrap compares to other thin films you encounter daily:

Material	Typical Thickness	How it compares to saran wrap
Saran wrap / cling wrap	8-15 microns	Baseline
Aluminum foil (household)	16-24 microns	1.5-2x thicker
Plastic shopping bag	20-30 microns	2-3x thicker
Copy paper (A4)	100 microns	8-10x thicker
Human hair	50-70 microns	5-8x thicker
Cellophane wrap	20-40 microns	2-4x thicker

For the complete thickness reference with performance data at every gauge, see our PVC Cling Film Thickness Chart Guide.

Is saran wrap safe? PVC vs PE food safety

A common concern: is wrapping food in plastic wrap safe? The answer depends on the material:

PVC cling wrap contains plasticizers (typically DEHA or ATBC) that make the film flexible and clingy. These plasticizers are food-grade and FDA-approved for food contact at room temperature. However, PVC wrap should not be used in microwaves — heat can cause plasticizer migration into food, especially into fatty or oily foods. Keep PVC wrap at least 2.5cm (1 inch) away from food surfaces when microwaving.

PE cling wrap contains no plasticizers at all. It is inherently flexible (polyethylene is naturally a soft plastic) and is considered safer for direct food contact including microwave use. PE is BPA-free and does not release chemicals into food at normal cooking temperatures (up to 110 C / 230 F). This is why the Saran Wrap brand switched from PVDC to PE in 2004.

Does saran wrap contain BPA? No. BPA (bisphenol A) is found in hard polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins — not in the soft polyethylene or PVC used for cling wrap. Both PE and PVC cling films are BPA-free. This applies to all major brands including Saran Wrap, Glad Wrap, and generic store brands.

For commercial food-service: Most health codes worldwide permit PVC cling film for cold food wrapping (deli counters, refrigerated displays, fresh produce). For hot food applications, PE film is the safer choice. SUNWRAP manufactures both PVC and PE cling film — both are FDA-compliant and SGS-tested. See our PVC vs PE comparison guide for detailed specifications, or our food safety certification guide for compliance details.

EU and UK food contact compliance for cling wrap

EU Regulation 10/2011 on plastic materials and articles in contact with food governs all cling wrap sold in Europe. The three numbers every importer and OEM buyer needs to know:

Requirement	PVC cling film	PE cling film	EU 10/2011 Reference
Overall Migration Limit (OML)	≤10 mg/dm² contact surface	≤10 mg/dm² contact surface	Annex I, Article 12
DEHA plasticizer migration	≤18 mg/kg food (if DEHA used)	Not applicable — no plasticizers	Annex I, entry 243
ATBC plasticizer migration	≤0.05 mg/kg food (if ATBC used)	Not applicable	Annex I, entry 11
Declaration of Compliance	Mandatory — issued by manufacturer	Mandatory — issued by manufacturer	Article 16
Traceability documentation	Lot/batch number on packaging	Lot/batch number on packaging	EU 1935/2004, Article 17

DEHA (diethylhexyl adipate) and ATBC (acetyl tributyl citrate) are the two EU-permitted plasticizers for food-grade PVC cling film. DEHA has an 18 mg/kg migration limit; ATBC has a much stricter 0.05 mg/kg limit. Most Chinese-made PVC cling film uses DEHA because the limit is more practical for fatty-food contact (meat, cheese, pastries).

Post-Brexit, the UK Food Contact Materials Regulations 2023 maintain standards equivalent to EU 10/2011. Cling wrap that meets EU compliance also meets UK FSA requirements as of 2026.

China GB standard compliance

If you are importing from China, knowing the domestic standards helps you interpret factory test reports and verify claims:

• PVC cling film: GB/T 10457-2009 (国家标准 — national standard, mandatory for food contact)
• PE cling film: QB/T 1324-2010 (轻工行业标准 — light industry standard)

Both standards set the same 10 mg/dm² overall migration limit as EU 10/2011. GB/T 10457 adds a China-specific requirement: DEHA content must be ≤1% by weight in films intended for fatty-food contact (meat, cheese, baked goods).

When sourcing from China: request a third-party test report from SGS Guangzhou, Intertek Shenzhen, or Bureau Veritas Shanghai, citing GB/T 10457-2009 (PVC) or QB/T 1324-2010 (PE) explicitly. A factory with an active export compliance program will have these reports on file. One that cannot produce them within 48 hours is either a trader or running non-compliant material.

For the full certification checklist including FDA, EU 10/2011, Halal, and Kosher, see our food safety certification guide.

Buying cling wrap wholesale from China

Whatever you call it — cling wrap, saran wrap, plastic wrap, food wrap — the economics of buying factory-direct from China are compelling:

A 30cm x 300m roll of PVC cling wrap costs $0.80-1.10 FOB Ningbo, compared to $3.00-5.00 wholesale for branded equivalents in the US or Europe. That is 60-75% savings, with equal or better cling performance.

The minimum order is typically one 20-foot container (approximately 10,000 consumer rolls or 2,500 commercial rolls). Trial orders of 3,000-5,000 rolls are available from most factories for first-time buyers. Not sure which cling film roll size fits your market? Our roll sizes guide covers household, commercial, and jumbo formats with exact dimensions.

For a complete guide to sourcing and importing, see our articles on choosing a cling film supplier and importing from China. For current wholesale pricing by gauge and roll size, see our 2026 wholesale pricing guide.

How to recycle cling wrap

Most curbside recycling programs do not accept cling wrap because the thin film jams sorting machinery. However:

• PE cling wrap (plastic code #4, LDPE) can be recycled at grocery store film drop-off bins in the US and many other countries — the same bins that accept plastic shopping bags.
• PVC cling wrap (plastic code #3) is technically recyclable but rarely accepted. Most PVC cling film ends up in landfill. PVC is stable in landfill conditions and does not leach harmful chemicals into groundwater.
• Compostable cling film alternatives (made from PLA or cellulose) are emerging but currently cost 3-5x more than conventional film and have limited cling performance. See our biodegradable cling film guide for current options.

For wholesale buyers concerned about sustainability: PE cling film with reduced thickness (8 micron instead of 12) uses 33% less plastic per roll while maintaining adequate performance for most applications. This “source reduction” approach is more impactful than switching to compostable alternatives at current price points.

Saran wrap alternatives: what else can you use?

If you are looking for alternatives to traditional plastic cling wrap, here are the main options ranked by practicality:

Alternative	Pros	Cons	Best for
Beeswax wraps	Reusable 100+ times, biodegradable	Cannot use on raw meat, not microwave-safe, $8-15 each	Covering bowls, wrapping cheese, sandwiches
Silicone stretch lids	Reusable 3,000+ times, dishwasher-safe	Only fit round containers, limited sizes	Home kitchen bowls and cups
Glass containers with lids	Unlimited reuse, microwave and oven safe	Heavy, bulky, expensive upfront	Meal prep, leftovers, food storage
Aluminum foil	Strong barrier, handles heat	Not transparent, tears on sharp edges, higher cost	Grilling, baking, wrapping hot food
Compostable PLA film	Biodegradable in industrial composting	3-5x the cost of conventional wrap, weak cling, not home-compostable	Brands with sustainability mandates

For commercial food-service operations, none of these alternatives currently match conventional cling wrap’s combination of cost, clarity, cling strength, and speed of application. PVC cling film remains the industry standard for deli counters, meat departments, and commercial kitchens worldwide. See our complete product range

Buying cling wrap wholesale: why factory-direct saves 60-75%

Whether you call it saran wrap, cling wrap, or plastic wrap — the economics of sourcing directly from a cling film manufacturer are hard to ignore:

What you pay	Consumer retail (US)	Factory-direct (FOB China)	Savings
PVC cling wrap 30cm x 300m	$3.00-5.00/roll	$0.80-1.10/roll	60-75%
PE cling wrap 30cm x 300m	$4.00-6.00/roll	$1.00-1.40/roll	65-77%

Standard MOQ is one 20ft container (~10,000 rolls). Trial orders from 3 tonnes are available for first-time buyers.

Not sure which type to order? Read our cling film supplier evaluation guide — 8 criteria that separate real factories from Alibaba traders.

The bottom line

Cling wrap, saran wrap, plastic wrap, cling film — same product, same factory, same manufacturing process. The only differences are the name on the box and the price you pay. If you are buying any of these products at retail or branded wholesale prices, you are paying 3-5x what the actual manufacturing cost is.

Contact SUNWRAP for factory-direct pricing on PVC or PE cling wrap — whatever you prefer to call it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is saran wrap the same as plastic wrap?

Yes — saran wrap and plastic wrap are exactly the same product. “Plastic wrap” is the generic descriptive term used in the United States and Canada. “Saran Wrap” is a brand name (originally Dow Chemical, now S.C. Johnson) that became so ubiquitous that Americans use it as a generic term — like saying “Band-Aid” instead of “adhesive bandage.” Both modern Saran Wrap and generic store-brand plastic wrap are made from the same material: LDPE polyethylene.

What is saran wrap called in the UK?

In the United Kingdom, saran wrap is called cling film. The term “saran wrap” is not used or recognized in Britain — it is strictly an American brand name. If you ask for “saran wrap” in a British supermarket, you will get a blank stare. Say “cling film” instead. In Australia and New Zealand, the same product is called cling wrap or Glad Wrap (a brand name). In Germany, it is called Frischhaltefolie. In France, film alimentaire. The product is identical everywhere — only the name changes by region.

Is cling wrap microwave safe?

It depends on the material, not the brand name. PE (polyethylene) cling wrap is microwave-safe up to 110 C (230 F) — this includes modern Saran Wrap, Glad Wrap, and most consumer brands sold in grocery stores. PVC cling wrap is NOT microwave-safe — the plasticizers in PVC can migrate into food at high temperatures, especially fatty or oily foods. To check: look at the box. If it says PE, LDPE, or “microwave safe,” it is safe. If it says PVC or does not mention microwave use, do not microwave it. As a precaution, always leave at least 2.5 cm (1 inch) between the wrap and the food surface. For a full breakdown of material properties, see our PVC vs PE cling film comparison.

What is saran wrap made of?

Modern Saran Wrap is made from LDPE (low-density polyethylene) — the same soft, flexible plastic used in grocery bags. But the original Saran Wrap (1953-2004) was made from PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride), a completely different polymer with superior oxygen barrier properties and aggressive self-cling. S.C. Johnson switched to LDPE in 2004 because PVDC was expensive to manufacture and difficult to recycle. The result: modern Saran Wrap is cheaper and more environmentally friendly, but clings noticeably less than the original formula. Commercial-grade PVC cling film offers cling performance closer to the original PVDC at a fraction of the cost.

Why doesn’t saran wrap stick anymore?

Because the product literally changed materials in 2004. Before 2004, Saran Wrap was PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride), which has a molecular structure that naturally bonds to smooth surfaces like glass, ceramic, and stainless steel — cling force of 6.0-8.0 N/25mm. After 2004, Saran Wrap switched to LDPE (polyethylene), which relies on weaker static charge for cling — only 1.5-2.5 N/25mm, roughly 60% weaker. The wrap still works, but you have to press harder and smooth more carefully. If you want the original strong-cling experience, commercial-grade PVC cling film (4.0-6.0 N/25mm) is the closest alternative and costs $0.80-1.10/roll FOB from a Chinese manufacturer like SUNWRAP.

Related guides

• PVC Cling Film — our flagship product, $0.80-1.10/roll FOB
• PE Cling Film — microwave-safe consumer wrap
• What Do Americans Call Cling Film? — food wrap names in 12 languages
• Stretch Film vs Cling Wrap — 5 differences that matter for food safety
• How to Find a Cling Film Supplier — 8 evaluation criteria for B2B buyers
• Cling Film Manufacturers in China — verified factories vs traders
• PVC vs PE Cling Film Comparison — detailed technical specs
• Wholesale Pricing Guide 2026 — current FOB prices by gauge and size
• Food Wrap Types & Materials Guide — all food packaging film options
• Cling Film Roll Sizes Guide — household vs commercial vs jumbo rolls

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Looking for a reliable cling film supplier? SUNWRAP is a Korean-invested manufacturer in Ningbo, China — FDA-compliant, SGS-tested, 20+ years of production. Request a quote