Without compacting recycled material into dense, easily stacked bundles, recyclers might not be able to move their materials easily and cost effectively. That’s why most recyclers use baling systems. A baler can be used in most secondary commodity markets, including paper, cardboard, plastic, and ferrous and nonferrous metals and some plastics. Recycling equipment like a baler helps efficiently organize, store, and prepare scrap for recycling.
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Perhaps just as important is the baling wire used to tie and secure the bales. Baling wire safely and neatly secures bales of recyclable material before it is moved on through the recycling process, preventing the bales from coming apart.
There are a variety of different types and styles of baling wire used in the industry, and various prices to go with them. Some have black annealed finishes and others have galvanized or corrosion-resistant finishes, depending on the need and application. A coating may be used to adjust the surface properties of the wire to guard against corrosion, improve aesthetic appearance, and improve adhesion. Wire thicknesses and diameters are available in a range (typically 10, 11, 12, 14 and 14.5 gauges), and are selected based on the materials with which the wire will be used.
It’s important to consider your specific application when choosing the type of wire you need, emphasizes Jason Ramsey, President of Crawfordsville, Ind.-based Midwest Bale Ties, a leading manufacturer of bales ties and baling wire in the Midwest. Family-owned and operated, Midwest Bale Tie provides an assortment of quality wire products made from the best American-made raw materials. Its products are made from 100-percent U.S. steel, in 8- to 22- ft. lengths, and custom lengths.
“There are basically three types of baling systems: vertical or horizontal manual balers, auto-tie balers and two ram balers,” Ramsey says. “Each requires a different wire product. Manual balers use single-loop bale ties, auto-tie balers take 50- or 100-lb. coils of wire and two ram balers require high tensile baling wire on a stem/stump.”
Often coated in zinc to provide excellent cathodic protection, galvanized wire is sometimes referred to as “clean wire,” and tends to be a preferred choice because it resists corrosion and outdoor storage conditions. Black annealed wire is quite pliable, which is convenient when some baled materials re-expand after unloading from the baler, so having a little extra flexibility can help prevent the wire from failing. Lightly coated with oil to resist corrosion, black annealed wire works well indoors but can sometimes rust when the bales are used and stored outdoors. “It’s important to consider your specific application when choosing the type of wire you need,” Ramsey adds.
There are also low, medium and high carbon versions, and wire with uniform strength and elasticity, which reduces breakage and machine downtime. When the wire is produced via a metal drawing process, its properties change in terms of strength, ductility, fatigue, and shape. The combination of these elements results in a broad range of products.
Having the right size and specifications allows the customer to not over buy too large a size, Ramsey explains. “Baling wire is priced by weight. If a customer has too small of a product, they may have to use more of the lighter ties, which could be economically inefficient.”
Ramsey cautions that not all wire is not created equal. “Wire is sourced from many different countries and continents, and the quality of any bale ties and/or baling products starts at the steel mill. How that steel it is treated throughout the forming process will make or break the product.”
So, what should buyers look for in terms of quality? American-made bale ties undergo stricter quality control standards than wire from other countries, and tends to be more durable. “Wire consistency is probably the best datum for quality,” Ramsey mentions. “If the wire has hard spots, that’s usually a result of a lower quality material, and it can break rather than stretch when being wrapped around a bale. This holds true for manual, auto-tie or two-ram baling.”
Another aspect is bale density. Density and bale sizing are important because they directly affect the use of baling wire. The old adage goes, the bigger the baler cylinder, the more the force, and consequently, the denser the bales. Bigger cylinders provide a denser, heavier bale, and yield fewer bales. That means less wire is used and there is less material handling, wear and tear, and semi loads to transport.
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The baler also must use the proper number of wire ties – that number varies depending on the type of material being baled. If excessive wire is being used, wire costs could skyrocket. Many companies are now managing their wire through their baling machines’ automated tying features, which set the correct number of wires and spacing to properly tie off the bale.
Thus, it’s wise to evaluate your bale ties and baler wire as part of your next waste audit. As Mid America Paper Recycling points out, if waste is compacted into neat bales before being sent to a sorting facility, it has a better chance of being sold for a profit. Wire ties securing those bales into safer, more easily sold units, allow them to be conveniently transported and reused, says Mid America President Paul Pirkle. “Baler wire is critical to a recycler or generator. Without it, the entire process stops at not only the generation spot but also with logistics to those that are producing tissue and toweling products and packaging materials. The greater the quality of baling wire, the higher the bale integrity, and better the movement of material through the logistics network.”
Specializing in customer service, Mid America Paper Recycling offers baling wire for sale and can recommend baling equipment tips, models, and other recycling equipment, tools and supplies. Available to answer any questions or address concerns, we would love to help provide you with additional baling assistance. Contact us today to boost your sustainable business (773- 890-).
If you're wondering how to optimise your recycling operations, reduce waste handling costs, or secure materials more effectively, baling wire might be your solution. Many businesses struggle with efficient waste management, proper material securing, and finding cost-effective binding solutions. Today, we're exploring the versatility of this essential industrial product and how it's transforming operations across multiple sectors.
Baling wire is a strong, flexible metal wire specifically designed for securing and binding materials into compact bales. Made primarily from galvanised steel, black annealed wire, or stainless steel, its tensile strength and durability make it ideal for industrial applications.
Available in various gauges (typically ranging from 10 to 16 gauge) and finishes, baling wire comes in several formats:
● Single loop bale ties
● Double loop bale ties
● Continuous coils
● Pre-cut lengths
The wire's coating affects its resistance to corrosion and environmental factors, with galvanised options offering better protection against rust than black annealed varieties. For specific baling wire products that meet industry standards, you can explore our comprehensive range of baling wire solutions.
The recycling industry represents one of the largest consumers of baling wire across the UK.
Recycling facilities use baling wire to compress and secure materials like cardboard, paper, plastic, and textiles into manageable units. These compressed bales optimise storage space and significantly reduce transportation costs—a critical factor as fuel prices continue to rise.
According to recent industry data from WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme), a properly secured bale can reduce material volume by up to 90% compared to loose waste, leading to substantial cost savings. For a medium-sized recycling operation processing 500 tonnes of material monthly, this could translate to approximately £3,000-£5,000 in reduced transport expenses alone.
The strength of the wire is particularly important here—bales often weigh between 500-1,000 kg and must remain intact throughout handling, transport, and storage. High-quality baling wire ensures that recycling operations maintain efficiency without compromising safety or material integrity. For businesses looking to maximise their recycling potential, cardboard balers and plastic balers can significantly improve waste management processes.
In agriculture, baling wire serves as the backbone of hay and straw management systems, similar to how baling twine functions in agricultural settings.
Farmers rely on baling wire to:
● Secure hay and straw into compact, transportable units
● Maintain feed quality by protecting it from environmental factors
● Facilitate efficient storage in barns and outdoor stacks
● Enable mechanical handling of fodder materials
Agricultural applications typically demand galvanised wire due to exposure to moisture and changing weather conditions. The agricultural sector consumes approximately 25% of all baling wire produced in the UK, with peak usage during harvest seasons, according to the National Farmers' Union.
Modern round balers can process approximately 35-50 bales per hour, with each requiring secure binding to maintain shape and density. With UK farms producing over 10 million tonnes of hay and straw annually as of March , the agricultural demand for quality baling wire remains consistently high.
The scrap metal industry employs baling wire to manage and transport valuable recycled metals.
Scrap processors use high-tensile baling wire to:
● Compress bulky metal waste into dense, stackable units
● Secure materials with significant weight and sharp edges
● Create standardised bale sizes for efficient transport
● Maintain safety during material handling
This application requires the strongest baling wire options available, typically in the 10-12 gauge range with breaking strengths exceeding 700 kg. The wire must withstand not only the weight of the scrap metal but also the expansion forces that occur after compression.
As of March , UK scrap metal recycling rates have reached approximately 70% for ferrous metals and 65% for non-ferrous metals, according to British Metals Recycling Association, with properly secured bales playing a crucial role in this supply chain. For comprehensive waste management solutions that include metal recycling, horizontal balers offer exceptional performance for high-volume operations.
Industrial packaging operations increasingly rely on baling wire for securing large shipments and palletised goods.
Compared to alternative strapping materials, baling wire offers:
● Greater tensile strength for heavy loads
● Better resistance to environmental factors during extended shipping
● Reduced likelihood of catastrophic binding failure
● Cost-effectiveness for bulk materials
Manufacturing facilities and distribution centres typically use single loop bale ties or continuous coil options to secure products for transport. The textile industry, paper mills, and building material suppliers are particularly dependent on reliable baling wire for maintaining product integrity during shipping.
Recent logistics data from Logistics UK indicates that properly secured shipments experience 40% fewer in-transit damages, translating to significant cost savings and improved customer satisfaction. This is particularly important when considering the growing focus on sustainable packaging solutions and reducing waste throughout the supply chain.
In construction environments, baling wire serves multiple temporary and permanent purposes:
● Securing rebar before concrete pouring
● Creating temporary barriers and fencing
● Bundling construction materials for site organisation
● Reinforcing temporary structures
Construction applications favour black annealed wire for its malleability and ease of manual twisting. While not always the primary specified material, baling wire has become essential on construction sites for its versatility and immediate availability when confronting unexpected challenges, according to the Construction Industry Training Board.
Additionally, agricultural and residential fencing repairs often employ baling wire as either a temporary fix or, when properly applied, a durable solution. Its resistance to weathering, particularly in galvanised form, makes it suitable for outdoor applications where exposure to the elements is a concern, similar to how businesses need to consider equipment maintenance in outdoor settings.
Selecting appropriate baling wire depends on several factors:
Material Requirements
:
● Weight of materials being baled
● Expected storage conditions (indoor/outdoor)
● Duration of use (temporary vs. long-term)
● Mechanical or manual application
Technical Specifications
:
● Wire gauge (thickness)
● Breaking strength requirements
● Coating type (galvanised, black annealed, stainless)
● Format (coil, pre-cut lengths, loop ties)
For recycling operations, 14-gauge galvanised wire typically provides the optimal balance of strength and cost-effectiveness. Agricultural applications may require 12-gauge for heavier materials like silage. Scrap metal operations almost exclusively use 10-11 gauge high-tensile wire to ensure bale integrity.
Cost considerations should account for total operational expenses rather than just the purchase price—stronger wire may cost more initially but reduce breakage and rebaling costs. This approach aligns with the broader principle of sustainable business practices, which recognises that initial investments in quality equipment like
vertical balers and proper supplies can deliver long-term operational benefits.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of hay baling wire. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.