Crepe & Compression Bandage Supplier in India: BIS Specs and Buyer Guide
Crepe bandages are the elastic, crimped cotton bandages everyone recognises from sports injuries and post-surgical wraps — used for sprain compression, dressing retention, swelling control and a wide range of routine clinical and home applications. For distributors, the product is a steady-volume category in any pharmacy and hospital channel, and the specifications that matter for clinical use are well-defined under Indian Standards. This guide walks the practical landscape for bulk crepe bandage sourcing in India.
Pioma Chemtech is a specialty chemical manufacturer based in India focused on antiseptic-shelf chemistry — 70% IPA, hydrogen peroxide, surgical spirit and hand sanitiser. Bandages are adjacent. This is an educational sourcing guide.
What crepe bandage is
Crepe bandage is a woven cotton (sometimes cotton-polyester blend) fabric with a characteristic "crimped" or wavy weave that gives it elasticity. The crimp allows the bandage to stretch lengthwise without losing structural integrity, providing graduated compression as it is applied. Standard crepe bandage stretches to roughly 1.5–2× its relaxed length.
The product is used for:
Sprain and strain compression — first-aid for soft-tissue injury (RICE protocol)
Post-surgical compression — controlling swelling around joints
Dressing retention — holding gauze or other dressings in place over wounds
Varicose-vein compression (with stricter spec compression bandages)
Sports support — temporary joint support during activity
Soft cast / splint outer wrap
The fundamentally simple weave-and-stretch construction means the product is mature and well-standardised.
Standard widths and lengths
Common pack formats:
5 cm width — fingers, small joints
7.5 cm width — wrist, ankle, small limbs
10 cm width — knee, calf, forearm
15 cm width — thigh, larger trunk applications
Lengths typically 3 m, 4 m or 5 m stretched, sometimes longer
Common pack sizes for distributors:
Individual bandage wrap, plastic-sealed (retail)
12-pack and 24-pack cartons (institutional)
Bulk cartons of 100+ individual bandages
A retail pharmacy typically stocks 5 cm, 7.5 cm, 10 cm in individual packs. A hospital and large clinic stock case lots of all four widths.
BIS standards
The Bureau of Indian Standards publishes specifications for surgical bandages:
IS 4011 / IS 5405 — cover surgical gauze and gauze bandages
IS 6601: Crepe Bandages — covers technical specifications for crepe-weave bandages
Tests include: stretch ratio, elastic recovery, absorbency, residual greasy matter, GSM, foreign matter
BIS-marked crepe bandage from licensed manufacturers carries the credibility marker. Reputable manufacturers can supply IS 6601-compliant product; ask for the BIS licence number and a recent test report.
Stretch and compression classifications
Beyond plain crepe, there are stricter-spec compression bandages used for medical compression therapy (varicose veins, lymphoedema):
Class 1 light compression — 14–17 mmHg
Class 2 moderate compression — 18–24 mmHg
Class 3 strong compression — 25–35 mmHg
Class 4 very strong compression — above 36 mmHg
These are dedicated compression bandages (often elastic adhesive or short-stretch) with measured tension at a specified application. They are distinct from plain crepe and used for specific medical indications under clinical guidance.
For most routine pharmacy and home use, plain crepe (light-stretch elastic, no formal compression class) is the relevant product.
Sourcing checklist
Before placing a first order:
Manufacturing licence and BIS conformance (IS 6601)
Recent COA showing stretch ratio, elastic recovery, GSM per IS spec
Cotton vs cotton-polyester blend clearly declared
Batch traceability and clear labelling
Pack size and packaging quality
Shelf life (essentially indefinite for plain crepe; sterile variants have sterility expiry)
Returns and complaint policy
References from current pharmacy or hospital customers
Storage and handling
Dry conditions; humidity affects elastic recovery
Below 30°C; avoid direct sunlight (UV degrades cotton fibres slowly)
Tightly wound rolls retain stretch properties better than loose
Plastic-wrapped individual packs maintain freshness
Plain crepe is essentially indefinitely usable in proper storage
Sterile crepe (where used post-surgically) follows sterile-product expiry
Cohesive vs adhesive vs plain — variants worth knowing
Plain crepe is one of several elastic bandage types:
Plain crepe — adhesive-free; secured with safety pin, clip or tape
Self-adherent cohesive (Coban-type) — sticks to itself but not to skin or other surfaces. Convenient for application but more expensive
Adhesive elastic bandage — adheres to skin; for fixation
Short-stretch / inelastic — for medical compression therapy
Long-stretch elastic — for sports support
See crepe vs cohesive vs compression for the practical comparison.
Pricing dynamics 2026
Indicative wholesale ranges:
7.5 cm × 4 m plain crepe, individual pack: ₹35–80 per pack
10 cm × 4 m plain crepe: ₹50–110 per pack
Carton of 12 plain crepe bandages: ₹400–1,200 depending on width
Self-adherent cohesive bandage 7.5 cm: ₹70–180 per pack
Sterile crepe for post-op use: 30–60% premium over plain
Pricing tracks cotton commodity prices and the elastic-yarn component cost (where applicable for blends).
Common end-uses to plan stocking against
A typical pharmacy crepe stocking pattern:
Most-velocity: 7.5 cm width (the "go-to" sprain bandage size)
Strong-velocity: 10 cm width (knee and calf)
Steady velocity: 5 cm width (wrist and finger)
Lower velocity: 15 cm width (large limb)
Self-adherent variant in 7.5 cm — premium SKU for convenience-oriented customers
Inventory turns are predictable; the seasonal driver is sports-injury patterns (peak through monsoon and winter sports seasons in different regions).
Quality issues to watch for
Variable stretch ratio — bandage that doesn't stretch consistently across its length
Poor elastic recovery — bandage that stays stretched after one application (the elastic yarn is poor quality or has been damaged in processing)
Loose threads / shedding — fibres detach during application
Inconsistent width — variable width along the roll length
Stiff feel — over-processing or wrong yarn composition
Packaging integrity — plastic wrap punctures, label damage
A consignment receiving routine catches most issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between plain crepe and "elastic adhesive bandage"?
Plain crepe is elastic (stretchy) but not adhesive. It's secured with a pin, clip or tape. Elastic adhesive bandage (also called Elastoplast-type) is similar in stretch but adheres to skin or itself. They serve different applications.
Is crepe bandage washable and reusable?
Plain crepe can be hand-washed and reused for personal/home applications until it loses elasticity (usually 5-10 wash cycles). For clinical applications, single-use is the discipline. Once a bandage has touched a wound or bodily fluid, dispose of it as biomedical waste.
How much stretch is "normal" for a crepe bandage?
Per IS 6601, plain crepe should stretch to roughly 1.5–2× its relaxed length and recover most of its original length after release. Bandages that stretch dramatically more (or barely stretch) are out of spec.
Are Indian-made crepe bandages exported globally?
Yes — India is a significant manufacturer and exporter. Export grade typically meets BP, BS or equivalent international standards in addition to IS 6601.
Does crepe bandage have a shelf life?
Plain crepe in proper storage is essentially indefinite. Sterile crepe (less common) has a sterility expiry on the package. Long-stored crepe may have reduced elastic recovery — verify before use if a roll has been stored for many years.
What's the typical MOQ?
Variable. Individual retail packs: case-lot MOQ in dozens. Bulk institutional: small case-lot MOQ. See MOQ and lead times.
Are cotton-polyester blend crepe bandages better than pure cotton?
The blends typically have better elastic recovery and longer reuse life; pure cotton is softer and slightly more absorbent. Both meet IS spec when properly made. The choice is preference and price.
Crepe bandages are a quiet, steady SKU that rewards careful supplier selection. Choose IS 6601-conformant manufacturers, verify stretch performance, and the category supplies itself.
— Pioma Chemtech is a specialty chemical manufacturer based in India. Available for bulk and commercial supply of 70% IPA, hydrogen peroxide, surgical spirit and hand sanitiser — chemistry that pairs with bandages in first-aid use.
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