Stretch film being used to wrap and secure a pallet

POLARWRAP: Cost Per Pallet, Not Cost Per Roll 

The smarter way to look at your stretch film costs

When you're buying stretch film, pallet wrap or stretch wrap, it's tempting to compare one thing first: 

How much does the roll cost? 
But if you're wrapping pallets every day, that's probably not the number you should be watching. 

Because a cheaper roll doesn't necessarily mean a cheaper pallet. 

The more useful question is: 

What does it actually cost to wrap each pallet? 
That simple change in thinking can completely change the way you compare hand stretch film, machine stretch film and pallet wrapping systems. 
And it can reveal opportunities to reduce film consumption, improve pallet stability and lower your overall packaging costs. 


The real cost of stretch film isn't the roll 
Two rolls of stretch film can have very different performance. 
One might stretch further, provide better load containment and use less film per pallet. 
Another might look cheaper on the invoice but require more film to achieve the same result — or suffer more breaks, poor load stability or inconsistent wrapping. 
That's why price per roll isn't the full picture, the numbers that really matter are: 

  • Film used per pallet.

  • Cost of film per pallet. 

  • Labour required to wrap each pallet. 

  • Pallet stability during storage and transport. 

  • And the amount of plastic being consumed. 

In other words: 
Don't just compare the roll. Compare the result. 
 
The POLARWRAP hand stretch film range includes: 
H20 | H25 | WH25 | BH23 
For applications requiring additional cling and performance at a lower gauge, Superedge with Metallocene can also be considered. 


POLARWRAP machine stretch film options include: 
M12 | M17 | M20 | M23 
And where ventilation is required, VM25 Vented Machine Stretch Film provides an option for suitable applications. 
  
Film consumption matters more than you think 
Here's where the maths gets interesting. Your stretch film cost per pallet is influenced by much more than the price of the roll. 
It depends on factors including:

  • Film gauge

  • Film length

  • Stretch percentage

  • Wrap pattern

  • Number of wraps

  • Load size and shape

  • Machine settings

  • Operator technique

  • Required load containment 

A well-configured machine and high-performance film can significantly improve film yield, meaning more pallet coverage from the film you purchase. For example, power pre-stretch systems can stretch film before it reaches the load, allowing each metre of film to cover considerably more distance. Some systems can achieve up to 250% pre-stretch, depending on the equipment and film combination. That's why film consumption per pallet is such an important number. 

 

The hidden cost of a cheap roll 

Let's say you find a stretch film roll that's cheaper than your current product, great, But what happens if:

  • It doesn't stretch as far?

  • You need more wraps to achieve the same load stability?

  • It breaks more frequently?

  • The operator has to re-wrap the pallet?

  • Your machine needs to stop because of film failures? 


Suddenly, that cheaper roll isn't looking quite so cheap, this is why businesses should consider total cost of wrapping, not simply the purchase price of the film. 
The better calculation is: 
Film cost + film consumption + labour + downtime + re-wrapping = true wrapping cost 
And that's the number POLARWRAP is designed to help you understand. 
  
What about pre-stretch film? 
Pre-stretch is one of the biggest opportunities for businesses looking to reduce stretch film consumption and cost per pallet. 
Instead of stretching the film primarily as it is applied, a pre-stretch system elongates the film before it reaches the pallet. 
The result? 
More coverage from less raw film. 
That's particularly important when you're wrapping hundreds or thousands of pallets. 
Even a relatively small reduction in film consumption per pallet can become a significant annual saving when multiplied across your operation. 
And that's where film yield becomes more useful than price per roll. 
  
Don't forget pallet stability 
Of course, reducing film consumption only matters if the pallet remains secure. 
The goal isn't simply to use less film. 
It's to use the right amount of the right film to achieve the required load stability and containment. 


That's why film selection needs to consider:

  • Load weight

  • Pallet shape

  • Sharp corners

  • Product type

  • Transport conditions

  • Required holding force

  • Hand or machine application 


A technically advanced film can potentially deliver the performance required at a lower gauge, helping reduce plastic consumption without simply adding more layers of film. 
Less plastic doesn't have to mean less protection; it can mean better film technology. So, what does your pallet really cost to wrap? That's the question worth asking. 
Not: “How much is the roll?” But “How much am I spending to securely wrap every pallet?” Once you know that number, you can start making much smarter decisions about:

  • Hand vs machine wrapping

  • Film gauge

  • Pre-stretch

  • Film yield

  • Labour

  • Plastic consumption

And ultimately, your total packaging cost. POLARWRAP engineered to work harder, POLARWRAP isn't simply another commodity stretch film. 
With more than 12 years of direct experience with this film and manufacturer, consistency has always been one of its strongest attributes. 
Combined with advances in modern stretch-film extrusion technology, that gives businesses the opportunity to look beyond thickness and roll price and focus on what really matters: 


Performance per pallet. 
Film used per pallet, cost per pallet and load stability where it matters. 
Less plastic, more performance, better pallet stability, lower cost per pallet, That's the smarter way to wrap.