Fortemo polypropylene (PP) strapping comes in two standard rolls: 13 mm × 1,300 m and 16 mm × 900 m. The difference may seem small, but it directly impacts the load weight it can secure, its compatibility with your strapping tool, and how much each roll yields per pallet sealed. This comparison helps you decide which width fits your operation.
🎯 Choose your variant in 10 seconds
- If you handle light parcels, courier services, or e-commerce with a high volume of boxes: go to the 13 mm × 1,300 m variant
- If you handle medium-load palletizing or large boxes that need more pressure surface: go to the 16 mm × 900 m variant
What to consider before choosing the variant
Both rolls share the same material (virgin polypropylene), the same thickness (0.8 mm), and the same core (203 mm Ø × 203 mm cardboard). The decision depends on your load type and the strapping tool you use. These are the most important criteria:
- Load type: courier boxes and light parcels can be securely strapped with 13 mm strapping. Pallets of large boxes or heavy grouped items require 16 mm strapping to better distribute pressure on the cardboard and prevent the strapping from cutting into the edge.
- Strapping tool: check the guide on your tensioner, sealer, crimper, or battery-powered strapping tool. Each tool is calibrated for a specific width. Switching from 13 mm to 16 mm without adjusting the guide often causes jams or a poorly sealed joint. See options for manual tensioners, manual crimpers, and battery-powered strapping tools.
- Operating volume: the yield per roll determines how many times you have to change the roll on the line. The 13 mm roll yields 1,300 m (44% more meters than the 16 mm roll), which reduces downtime in high-volume operations.
- Load edges: if the merchandise has sharp corners, consider reinforcing with plastic corner protectors under the strapping, regardless of the width chosen. This protects the box and prevents the strapping from cutting into the edge.
- Strapping closure: both variants can be closed with a mechanical seal (PP strapping seal) or with a battery-powered strapping tool that friction welds without a seal. Confirm your workflow before deciding.
13 mm × 1,300 m variant: the cost-effective roll for light parcels
- 1,300 m per roll: maximum yield per unit
- Compact width: ideal for courier and e-commerce boxes
- Suitable for 13 mm manual and battery-powered strapping tools
- Fits most standard dispenser carts
- Smaller pressure surface on the load
- Not recommended for very large palletized boxes
13 mm strapping is the operational standard for courier warehouses, e-commerce hubs, and companies that move high volumes of standard boxes. Its greatest advantage is the yield per roll: 1,300 m compared to 900 m for the 16 mm variant. For an operation that seals hundreds of boxes a day, this difference translates into fewer roll changes and less downtime on the line.
16 mm × 900 m variant: the wide roll for medium-load palletizing
- 3 mm wider: larger pressure surface
- Better distributes tension on cardboard
- Reduces the risk of cutting the box with medium loads
- Roll weight 10 kg net (22 lb): comfortable handling on a cart
- 900 m per roll: 31% fewer meters than the 13 mm roll
- Does not fit tools calibrated to 13 mm without an adjustable guide
16 mm strapping gains ground when the load is more demanding: pallets of large boxes, grouped items, double-corrugated cardboard, or merchandise with sharp edges. The wider band better distributes tension and lowers the risk of cutting the cardboard when tightened. It is common in general warehouses and in operations that combine small boxes and pallets on the same line, choosing the most versatile width. Combine with a strapping dispenser cart to reduce operator effort.
Comparative table of variants
Both rolls share the same material and basic structure. The key differences are in the strapping width, length per roll, and available weight data.
| Feature | 13 mm 1,300 m roll |
16 mm 900 m roll |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal use | Light parcels | Medium-load palletizing |
| SKU | 976578 | 870009 |
| Material | Virgin PP | Virgin PP |
| Width | 13 mm (1/2 in) | 16 mm (5/8 in) |
| Thickness | 0.8 mm (0.032 in) | 0.8 mm (0.032 in) |
| Length per roll | 1,300 m (4,265 ft) | 900 m (2,953 ft) |
| Core | 203 mm Ø × 203 mm | 203 mm Ø × 203 mm |
| Core material | Cardboard | Cardboard |
| Color | Black | Black |
| Edges | Rounded anti-cut | Rounded anti-cut |
| Embossing | Yes (both sides) | Yes (both sides) |
| UV Protection | Yes (high) | Yes (high) |
| Net roll weight | — | 10 kg (22 lb) |
Use case matrix → recommended variant
| If your case is… | Recommended variant |
|---|---|
| Sealing standard-sized courier and e-commerce boxes | → 13 mm × 1,300 m |
| Logistics hub with high volume and fast roll turnover | → 13 mm × 1,300 m |
| Palletizing large boxes or double-corrugated cardboard | → 16 mm × 900 m |
| Grouping heavy items or merchandise with sharp edges | → 16 mm × 900 m |
| Operation combining boxes and pallets on the same line | → 16 mm × 900 m (more versatile) |
Before ordering rolls, check the guide lip of your strapping machine or tensioner. It is stamped with the width it accepts (13 or 16 mm). If your equipment mixes both widths, buy a 16 mm tool with an adjustable guide: it works with both rolls. If you only strap standard courier boxes, set all equipment to 13 mm and take advantage of the extra 1,300 m yield per roll.
Do not buy 16 mm strapping thinking it tightens more than 13 mm strapping. Both have the same thickness (0.8 mm) and the same material. The only thing that changes is the tightening surface: the 16 mm distributes the tension better on wide loads; it doesn't inherently tighten more. If your load is light and standard, the 13 mm performs just as well and gives you an extra 400 m per coil.
Don't know if your strapping machine requires 13 or 16 mm?
Tell us the model of the tensioner, crimper, or battery-powered strapping tool you use, and the type of load you are securing. You will receive an exact recommendation for compatible strapping coils and, if applicable, any missing accessories in your line (seals, buckles, edge protectors).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 13 mm coils on a strapping machine calibrated for 16 mm (or vice versa)?
Only if the tool has an adjustable guide. Most basic manual and semi-automatic strapping machines are calibrated for a single width. If you force a narrower coil, there will be slack, the seal won't bite properly, and the joint will fail in transit. If you force a wider one, the strapping will scrape against the guide and get jammed. Before mixing, check your manual to see if your model supports both widths.
How many boxes or pallets can I secure with one coil?
It depends on the perimeter of the package and the number of wraps. As a reference: an average box measuring 60 × 40 × 30 cm with 1 wrap of strapping uses about 2.6 m. With a 13 mm × 1,300 m coil, you can secure about 500 boxes; with a 16 mm × 900 m coil, about 345. For pallets of 1.20 × 1.00 m with 2 cross wraps (≈ 9.6 m per pallet), you get about 135 pallets with the 13 mm and 93 with the 16 mm.
Is PP strapping suitable for heavy loads like iron or concrete blocks?
No. For heavy loads with sharp edges or high tensions, the recommended material is polyester (PET) strapping, which has higher breaking strength and better elastic recovery. Polypropylene is ideal for light to medium palletizing on cardboard, and is usually the correct option for loads up to approximately 500 kg per pallet under normal conditions.