Protective Mesh Sleeving & Net Sleeving

Net sleeving is manufactured from low density polyethylene (LDPE) in a tubular form, available in diameters from 5mm to 300mm. LDPE is resistant to acids and solvents and unaffected by oils and grease — making it particularly well suited to engineering and manufacturing environments where machined or polished metal parts need surface protection.

The mesh structure stretches and expands to conform around irregularly shaped items, gripping the product tightly without the need for tape or additional fixings. Unlike rigid packaging, net sleeving can be applied quickly by hand and cut to any length to suit the product being protected.

What is Net Sleeving Used For?

Net sleeving is used across a wide range of industries wherever surface protection is needed during manufacture, storage, or transit:

Engineering and Manufacturing Metal components, machined parts, polished chrome fittings, and precision-engineered items are easily scratched and scuffed during handling. LDPE net sleeving is resistant to oils and grease, making it ideal for protecting engineering components on the production line and in transit. Our blue (NS020) and red (NS100) sizes are particularly popular in engineering environments.

Bottle and Glassware Protection Our 75–150mm orange net sleeving (NS150) is the ideal size for wine, spirit, and champagne bottles. It provides surface protection during storage and transit and is fully reusable — making it popular with wine merchants, gift hamper companies, and drinks distributors. The same size works well for glass vases, ceramic items, and other cylindrical glassware.

Ceramics and Fragile Items The stretch and grip of net sleeving makes it excellent for protecting ceramics, pottery, and other fragile items that can't easily be wrapped in conventional materials. Applied by hand in seconds, it cushions against knocks and scuffs without adding significant weight or bulk.

Window and Door Furniture Handles, hinges, brackets, and other window and door furniture are commonly protected with net sleeving during transit to prevent surface damage to polished or coated finishes.

Furniture Legs and Profiles Our larger sizes (NS100 and NS150) are used to protect furniture legs, aluminium profiles, and other elongated items from scratching during storage and distribution.

Net Sleeving Size Guide

Our net sleeving range is colour coded for easy identification at the packing bench. Each size is designed to fit a specific diameter range — choose the size that most closely matches the diameter of the item you need to protect.

Not sure which size you need? As a general rule, choose a size where the flat diameter of the sleeving (when not stretched) is roughly half the diameter of the item you want to protect. The mesh will stretch to fit — if in doubt, go one size up. Contact our team on 02476 611234 if you need help selecting the right size.

Technical Specification

• Material: Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
• Recyclable: Yes — LDPE is a class 4 recyclable plastic, accepted at most kerbside plastic recycling schemes in the UK
• Temperature range: Remains flexible from -40°C to +85°C
• Chemical resistance: Resistant to acids, solvents, oils and grease
• Reusable: Yes — net sleeving can be removed and reused multiple times
• Cut to length: All sizes available cut to custom lengths (minimum order quantities apply)
• Colour coding: Each size supplied in a distinct colour for easy identification

Buying Net Sleeving in Bulk

We supply net sleeving in bulk pallet quantities at wholesale prices. If you use net sleeving regularly in your manufacturing or packing operation, speak to our sales team about volume pricing and consignment stock arrangements — we hold your agreed stock at our Coventry warehouse and deliver on a regular call-off basis.

Get a Bulk or Trade Quote | Contact Our Team | Tel: 02476 611234

Frequently Asked Questions about Net Sleeving

What is Plastic Mesh Sleeving Made From?
Net sleeving is made from low density polyethylene (LDPE) which is a type of plastic. This material makes net sleeving stretch and expand to fit around contours and shaped products.

What is Protective Mesh Sleeving Used For?
Protective net sleeving is a plastic mesh that grips tightly around products to provide a layer of protection. It is particularly good for heavy metal items as it is strong and impact resistant. Because it is stretchy it conforms easily to contours and shaped items. Use net sleeving for quickly and easily protecting anything from metal parts and polished chrome, to wine bottles and ceramics.

Is Protective Net Sleeving Recyclable?
Yes protective net sleeving is recyclable. It is made from LDPE plastic which is a class 4 recyclable plastic and can be recycled at most kerbside plastic recycling schemes in the UK.

Can I buy Net Sleeving Cut to a Custom Length?
Yes, you can buy net sleeving cut to the custom length you need to fit the items you need to pack. All widths can be cut to your required length but keep in mind that there is a minimum order quantity depending on the length of each tube.

What temperature range does net sleeving work in?
LDPE net sleeving remains flexible and effective from -40°C to +85°C, making it suitable for use in cold storage environments as well as general manufacturing and transit applications.

Does net sleeving comply with Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT)?
Yes our net sleeving complies with the Plastic Packaging Tax by containing less than 30% recycled content. For businesses looking to reduce plastic use entirely, we also stock a range of paper-based protective packaging alternatives.

Can net sleeving be used for bottle protection during shipping?
Yes — our NS150 orange net sleeving (75–150mm diameter) is specifically suited to wine, spirit, and champagne bottle protection. It provides surface protection during transit and storage, is reusable, and can be applied by hand in seconds. For high volume bottle sleeving applications, speak to our team about cut-to-length options and bulk pricing.

Start with the customer – find out what they want and give it to them.