Short answer
The stretch film price per kg is driven mainly by the cost of LLDPE resin, then by the process (cast or blown), resin grade, roll format, special features, order size and the Incoterm. Price per kg alone can mislead: compare offers on net film weight (excluding the core), then convert to cost per metre or per wrapped pallet.
Every buyer asks for the stretch film price per kg, and almost every supplier answers with a number that means something slightly different. This guide explains what drives the price, how to check that two quotes are really comparable, and how to work out what film actually costs you per pallet. We don’t publish prices here: they move with resin markets and depend on your spec, so any figure printed in an article would be out of date quickly.
What drives the price of stretch film
Resin cost
Stretch film is made mostly from linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). Resin is the largest part of the cost, so the price per kg follows polyethylene markets. That is why many quotes are valid for a short period, often just days or a couple of weeks.
Resin grade and formulation
Butene-based LLDPE is the economical end of the range. Hexene, octene and metallocene grades give better puncture resistance, cling and stretch, and cost more. Multi-layer films let manufacturers put premium resin only where it helps, which is why two “23 micron” films can perform very differently.
Process: cast or blown
Cast film is usually the more economical option per kg and dominates high-volume machine film. Blown film is tougher and is often priced higher. See cast vs blown stretch film for when each is worth it.
Roll format
Hand rolls usually cost more per kg than machine rolls. Cores, cartons, labels and labour are spread over fewer kilograms. Extended cores, coloured cores and small roll weights add to that.
Special features
Colour, UV stabilisation, vented (perforated) film, printing, one-sided cling and pre-stretching all add cost and often raise the minimum order.
Order size and run length
Long runs of a standard spec are the cheapest to produce. Changing width, colour or gauge means set-up time and scrap, which suppliers price into small or custom orders.
Terms
Incoterms, payment terms and currency all change the number. An FOB price excludes ocean freight and insurance. A CIF price includes them. A DDP price adds import duties and delivery. In India, domestic sales carry GST (check the current rate for your HSN code), while exports are zero-rated.
| Factor | Typical effect on price per kg | What to ask the supplier |
|---|---|---|
| Resin market | Moves the whole price up or down | Quote validity and any resin-linked clause |
| Resin grade | Premium grades cost more | Which LLDPE grades, how many layers |
| Cast vs blown | Blown is often priced higher | Which line the order runs on |
| Hand vs machine rolls | Hand rolls cost more per kg | Core weight and packing per roll |
| Colour, UV, vented, print | Adds cost and MOQ | Surcharge and MOQ per feature |
| Order size | Larger runs cost less per kg | Price breaks by quantity |
| Incoterm | FOB < CIF < DDP in scope | Named port and what is included |
Net weight vs gross weight: the most common trap
A machine roll is film wound on a cardboard core, and the core can weigh a kilogram or more. If one supplier quotes per kg gross (film plus core) and another per kg net (film only), the gross quote looks cheaper but delivers less film. Always ask for:
- net film weight per roll
- core weight and core material
- price basis: per kg net, per kg gross, or per roll
How to calculate roll weight and length
LLDPE has a density of about 0.92 g/cm³, so you can check any roll with a simple formula:
Net film weight (kg) ≈ length (m) × width (m) × thickness (µm) × 0.92 ÷ 1,000
Examples:
- Machine roll, 1,500 m × 500 mm × 23 µm: 1,500 × 0.5 × 23 × 0.92 ÷ 1,000 ≈ 15.9 kg of film.
- Hand roll, 300 m × 500 mm × 17 µm: 300 × 0.5 × 17 × 0.92 ÷ 1,000 ≈ 2.3 kg of film.
Work it backwards to check the length: if a 500 mm, 23 µm roll weighs 15.9 kg net, it should hold about 1,500 m. Weighing a few rolls on arrival and comparing with the invoice is one of the cheapest quality checks you can do.
From price per kg to cost per pallet
What matters to your operation is the cost of film on each wrapped pallet. The calculation:
- Film applied: number of wraps × pallet perimeter. For example, 10 wraps around a 4 m perimeter = 40 m of film on the load.
- Film taken off the roll: divide by (1 + pre-stretch). At 200% pre-stretch, each metre from the roll becomes 3 m on the load, so 40 m ÷ 3 ≈ 13.3 m.
- Weight: 13.3 m × 0.5 m × 23 µm × 0.92 ÷ 1,000 ≈ 0.14 kg.
- Cost: weight × your net price per kg.
This shows why stretch level matters as much as price. If the same film is applied by hand at a much lower stretch, the film used per pallet can easily be double or more. Better-performing film that can be run at higher pre-stretch, or a slightly thinner gauge, may lower your cost per pallet even at a higher price per kg.
A quick checklist for comparing stretch film quotes
- Same film type, process and thickness (with tolerance).
- Same width, length or weight per roll, and the same core.
- Price per kg net, in the same currency.
- Same Incoterm and named port or place.
- Quote validity, lead time and payment terms in writing.
- Samples of the exact spec before a large order.
RFQ checklist: what to send for comparable quotes
Each item matches a field on the Zradona quote form, so you can copy it straight across.
- Film type: hand, machine, pre-stretched, coloured, UV-resistant or vented (or “not sure, advise me”)
- Cast or blown: or no preference
- Thickness (microns): for example 23
- Width: for example 500 mm
- Core size: for example 76 mm
- Roll weight or length: for example 16 kg or 1,500 m
- Quantity: for example 20 tonnes or one 40-foot container
- Destination port or city: for example Jebel Ali, Mombasa or Pune
- Incoterms: FOB, CIF, EXW or DDP, or leave it open
- Anything else: application, packaging, delivery timing, sample needs
How Zradona helps
Zradona collects your spec once and matches it to vetted Indian manufacturers and converters. Quotes come back in a comparable format, and the Zradona team follows up personally to clarify any differences. If you are not sure which gauge to specify, start with our stretch film micron guide.
Frequently asked questions
Why do stretch film prices change so often?
Stretch film is mostly LLDPE resin, and polyethylene prices move with feedstock costs, supply and demand. Many suppliers therefore quote with short validity periods or link prices to resin movements.
Is a lower price per kg always cheaper?
No. Thicker film than you need, low stretch capability or price quoted on gross weight can all make a low per-kg price more expensive per pallet. Compare cost per metre or per wrapped pallet.
How do I calculate the weight of a stretch film roll?
Net film weight in kg is roughly length (m) x width (m) x thickness (µm) x 0.92 / 1,000, because LLDPE has a density of about 0.92 g/cm³. Add the core weight to get the gross roll weight.
Why do hand rolls cost more per kg than machine rolls?
Hand rolls are smaller, so cores, cartons, labour and handling make up a larger share of each kilogram. Machine rolls spread those costs over more film.
