This three-layer PE film of only 40 µm without UV protection can be used as underlay silage film underneath every silage cover available.

Advantage: the underlay film protects the silage against oxygen penetrating via the cut surface underneath the silage cover into the pit. The underlay film prevents losses at the top surface and along the edges of the silo.

This is how it works: this wafer-thin film is much more flexible than normal silage cover film. It adapts smoothly to the top surface of the silo. During fermentation CO₂ is being formed. CO₂ is a dense gas and after opening the silo it flows out from the cut surface just like water, but invisible and inexorably. This results in a mini-vacuum in which the underlay film virtually adheres to the top surface of the silo.

Without underlay film: oxygen draws underneath the silage film into the silo.
With underlay film: due to a mini-vacuum the underlay film adheres to the top surface of the silage. Therefore the name vacuum film.

Of course the underlay film is just one of many important factors but available at a good price!

In addition:
a) protec^® - sandbag-tubes as a barrier to air entering at the cut surface and along the edges.
b) With the use of silage additives (lactic acid bacteria) the forming of CO₂ can be reduced considerably.

When using an underlay film the top cover silage film stays clean and can be reused or disposed of without laborious cleaning. No silage sticks to the top film, hence the name hygienic film instead of underlay film. Because of its thinness you only have to dispose of a small amount of soiled film (20% of a 200µm film) which can be cut off and be put in the waste container weakly. After fermentation has finished the underlay film additionally protects your silage in case the top film should get damaged.

But keep in mind: using an underlay film underneath an old and damaged top silage film is not enough to protect your silage. If oxygen penetrates the complete silo the underlay film generally can not prevent fermentation failures because of its thinness.

Conclusion:
With the use of a good underlay film (vacuum or hygienic film) you minimize risks at low costs but above all the quality of the silage improves greatly at the surface and along the edges of the silo. An underlay film inhibits heating and facilitates the disposal of the top film.

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