Companies switching to PET baling wire such as PlasLOC+ often ask the same question: “What about the torsional strength of plastic baling wire?”
It is a logical question. With steel wire, torsion — resistance to twisting — has been relevant for decades. But plastic baling wire works in a different way. That is why torsional strength is not a relevant measure for the performance of PlasLOC+ in automatic balers.
In this article, we explain why torsion does not apply to PET baling wire, which properties do determine stable performance, and why PlasLOC+ is a proven alternative to steel in waste-to-energy environments.
What torsional strength means — and why it belongs to steel
Torsional strength indicates how much twisting a material can withstand before it permanently deforms or breaks.
That is useful information for steel wire. During knotting, steel wire is twisted. It has a hard structure and can build up stress under rotation. The reliability of the knot strongly depends on how the wire behaves under torsion.
With PlasLOC+, this behaviour does not apply.
PET baling wire is not twisted in the same way. It is pulled tight through the knotting unit. There is no torsional force that needs to be measured. The material responds through controlled elongation, not through twisting.
PET baling wire works differently: elongation and tensile strength determine performance
PlasLOC+ is produced thermally and mechanically to absorb tension through elongation, not torsion.
The wire can elongate in a controlled way without losing stability. This helps the knot remain secure, even when there are variations in pressing force, temperature or humidity.
Tensile strength also plays a more important role than torsion. PlasLOC+ is designed to provide the strength needed for RDF, SRF, biomass and plastic waste streams. The combination of tensile strength and elongation determines whether a bale remains stable during transport, storage and loading into the furnace.
Because PET is not twisted like steel and does not have the same metallurgical fracture behaviour, torsional strength does not say anything meaningful about the performance of this type of baling wire.
What makes PlasLOC+ different in recycling and waste-to-energy
PlasLOC+ is designed for automatic horizontal baling systems that process high volumes every day.
The wire closes bales reliably without breaking or slipping. Its stable profile helps the knotting unit work predictably and reduces the risk of process interruptions.
A key advantage is its behaviour in waste-to-energy applications. PlasLOC+ replaces steel in the bale tie. This can help reduce metal-related handling steps and residual streams. Whether this delivers a direct operational benefit depends on the installation, acceptance criteria and requirements of the end processor.
Compared with steel wire, PlasLOC+ can also contribute to lower operational costs. In processes where metal wire needs to be removed before further processing, replacing steel wire can reduce manual handling, internal logistics and waiting time.
PlasLOC+ also contributes to a lower CO₂ footprint. It replaces steel with a material made from recycled PET. This helps companies reduce the CO₂ impact of the baling wire used in their process.
When is PlasLOC+ suitable — and when is it not?
PlasLOC+ is not a universal replacement for steel wire.
Some processes still require annealed steel wire. This can be the case with extremely heavy material streams or specific knotting units that do not support plastic profile wire.
In many horizontal baling lines for RDF, SRF, biomass and plastic streams, however, PlasLOC+ offers clear advantages:
fewer handling steps;
lower operational costs per bale;
lower CO₂ impact;
cleaner handling;
predictable performance in the baling system.
That is why we always assess whether PlasLOC+ technically fits your material stream, baler settings and required logistics flow.
PlasLOC+: technical properties at a glance
PlasLOC+ is produced within the European Accent network and is designed for horizontal balers that process high volumes of RDF, SRF, biomass or plastic streams every day.
The wire is made from PET and provides a stable alternative to steel wire in processes where reducing steel in the bale tie is relevant.
Key technical specifications
Profile: 4 × 4 mm square wire, produced within tight tolerances
Material: polyester plastic with stabilising additives
Tensile strength: designed for high pressing forces
Elongation: controlled elongation for reliable knot formation
Packaging: reusable steel reels of approximately 12,500 metres, around 250–280 kg
The combination of tensile strength, controlled elongation and a stable profile supports predictable performance in automatic knotting units and helps minimise interruptions.
For waste-to-energy processes, PlasLOC+ can support lower operational costs, less handling and a lower CO₂ impact by replacing steel wire in the bale tie.
Conclusion: torsional strength belongs to steel — not to PET baling wire
Torsional strength is relevant for steel wire because the material is twisted and can be sensitive to metallurgical fracture.
For PET baling wire such as PlasLOC+, this is not the right measure. Performance is determined by tensile strength, elongation, profile stability and knot reliability. These are the properties PlasLOC+ is designed for.
PlasLOC+ offers a practical alternative to steel in processes where speed, simplicity and CO₂ reduction matter, and where removing steel wire creates extra work, cost or risk.
Want to know whether PlasLOC+ fits your baling system or waste-to-energy process?
Send us your specifications. We will assess your material stream, baler settings and process requirements, and give you clear technical advice.
.jpg)
.jpg)