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

Short answer: nothing. They are all the same product.

Cling wrap, saran wrap, plastic wrap, food wrap, cling film, glad wrap, stretchy wrap — these are all different names for the same thin, transparent plastic film that you use to cover food bowls, wrap produce, and seal containers in the kitchen. The different names exist because of regional language preferences and brand dominance, not because the products are different.

Here is the global naming map:

Term	Where it’s used	Origin
Saran wrap	United States, Canada	Brand name (Dow Chemical, 1953)
Plastic wrap	United States (generic)	Descriptive term
Cling film	UK, Ireland, Europe, Asia	British English standard
Cling wrap	Australia, New Zealand, parts of Asia	Australian English
Glad Wrap	Australia, New Zealand	Brand name (Clorox)
Food wrap	Commercial / food-service industry	Industry term
保鲜膜 (bǎo xiān mó)	China, Taiwan	Literally “freshness film”

What cling wrap is actually made of

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

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.

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.

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.

What is cling wrap called in Chinese?

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

保鲜膜 (bǎo xiān mó) — 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 (shí pǐn jí) — means “food grade”. Add this to your search to filter for food-safe products.

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 × 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.

For a complete guide to sourcing and importing, see our articles on choosing a cling film supplier and importing from China.

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.

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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 →