Lab test: WaveBag LIGHT compared with a plastic bubble mailer
Four mechanical tests conducted by an independent laboratory, with the comparative results
In May 2023, an independent laboratory compared WaveBag LIGHT, a paper padded mailer, with a plastic bubble mailer through four types of tests: tensile strength, seal strength, penetration load and a ball drop test on a CD case packed inside each mailer. For each test, the laboratory concluded that the two padded mailers were comparable. The measured values and test outcomes are reported below.
Key facts
| Products tested | WaveBag LIGHT paper padded mailer and a plastic bubble mailer available on the market |
|---|---|
| Tested by | An independent testing laboratory in Italy, commissioned by Offmar S.r.l. |
| Test dates | 24–25 May 2023 (report dated 28 May 2023) |
| Samples | 10 envelopes of each product, supplied by Offmar |
| Tests | Tensile strength, seal strength, penetration load (15 mm and 35 mm probes), ball drop impact |
| Laboratory conclusion | The two padded envelopes are comparable in every test |
Why we asked for this test
The first question most businesses ask about paper padded mailers is a fair one: will they protect my products as well as the bubble mailers I use today? Paper cushioning works differently from plastic bubbles, so we asked an independent laboratory to measure both under the same conditions.
For businesses, this means the comparison does not rest on our own description of the product, but on measurements taken by a third party.
The results
| Test | Method | WaveBag LIGHT | Plastic bubble mailer | Laboratory conclusion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength (N/mm width) | UNI EN ISO 527-3 | 5.35 | 5.05 | Comparable |
| Seal strength (N/mm width) | UNI EN ISO 527-3 | 0.59 | 0.59 | Comparable |
| Penetration load, 15 mm probe (N) | Laboratory method | 32.81 | 35.53 | Comparable |
| Penetration load, 35 mm probe (N) | Laboratory method | 47.29 | 30.21 | Comparable |
| Ball drop test (63 mm, 225 g sphere onto a CD case inside the mailer) | Laboratory method | Case intact at 85 mm; broken at 100 mm | Case intact at 85 mm; broken at 100 mm | Comparable |
Values are the average of five measurements per product. In the penetration test, a probe is pushed through the envelope wall to measure the force needed to puncture it; in the ball drop test, a steel sphere is dropped from increasing heights onto a CD case packed inside each mailer. Without a mailer, the CD case broke at the lowest height, 50 mm.
How to read these results
The laboratory's conclusion for each test is that WaveBag LIGHT and the bubble mailer are comparable. Individual values vary from test to test, and we report them as measured rather than as a ranking.
Like any laboratory test, this one has limits. It covers one WaveBag product, WaveBag LIGHT, and one bubble mailer, and the results refer only to the samples tested. Real shipments add variables such as product shape, weight and the routes your parcels travel.
Testing with your own products
Laboratory results provide useful evidence of the performance measured under controlled conditions. However, it is equally important to verify that the selected mailer is suitable for your products and shipping process.
Before switching, we recommend packing your products in sample mailers and carrying out test shipments under your usual handling and transport conditions.
The WaveBag team can provide samples and technical sheets for each product. The complete laboratory test report is available on request.
Applies to
Frequently asked questions
Is there drop-test data for paper padded envelopes?
Yes. In 2023 an independent laboratory ran a ball drop test on WaveBag LIGHT and a plastic bubble mailer, each containing a CD case. In both mailers the case was intact at 85 mm and broke at 100 mm; without a mailer it broke at 50 mm. The laboratory concluded that the two are comparable.
How does WaveBag LIGHT compare with a bubble mailer in lab tests?
An independent laboratory compared them in four tests in 2023: tensile strength, seal strength, penetration load and a ball drop test. For every test, its conclusion was that the two padded envelopes are comparable.
Who carried out the test?
An independent testing laboratory in Italy, commissioned by Offmar S.r.l., the company that develops and manufactures WaveBag. The full test report is available from the WaveBag team on request.
Does the test cover the whole WaveBag range?
No. The 2023 laboratory test covers WaveBag LIGHT and one specific plastic bubble mailer. Other WaveBag padded mailers use the same patented Wave Technology cushioning, but the results of this test cannot automatically be extended to other products in the range. We recommend testing samples of the specific WaveBag product you plan to use with your own items.
Sources
- Independent laboratory test report, padded envelopes for shipments: WaveBag LIGHT and a plastic bubble mailer, 28 May 2023. Available from the WaveBag team on request.
- WaveBag LIGHT product page