The invention refers to a bale forming and wrapping apparatus and a bale forming and wrapping method. A bale forming means (40, 41.1, 41.2, 42, 44) forms from loose material a bale (B) in a bale forming chamber. A web moving member (3, 20, 48) moves a web (30) of wrapping material towards a wrapping material inlet (15) into the bale forming chamber. A guiding member guides the web moving member (3, 20, 48). A slack leading segment (35) of the web (30) is carried by a supporting plate (3) of the web moving member (3, 20, 48). A downholder unit (48) keeps the leading segment (35) on the moved supporting plate (3). The leading segment (35) remains slack while the web moving member (3, 20, 48) moves the web (30).
