Plastic Tray Packaging Suppliers
Find verified plastic tray packaging manufacturers and suppliers on Towobo. Compare thermoformed CPET, PP, and BOPS food tray materials, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) sealing formats, retail and food service specifications, size and stackability options, and MOQs from manufacturers in China and other key origins.
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Browse Plastic Tray Suppliers →Plastic tray materials: CPET, PP, BOPS, and rPET
Plastic food trays are primarily produced by thermoforming — where a flat plastic sheet is heated and formed into the tray shape under vacuum or pressure. The main materials for food trays are CPET (crystalline polyethylene terephthalate), PP (polypropylene), BOPS (biaxially oriented polystyrene), and rPET (recycled PET). CPET trays are produced from heat-set crystallised PET — capable of withstanding oven temperatures up to approximately 220°C, making them the standard format for ready-meal trays sold for oven reheating at retail. CPET trays also tolerate microwave heating and freezer temperatures, making them suitable for cook-from-frozen ready meals. PP trays are microwave-safe and dishwasher-safe but not suitable for conventional oven heating. They are the dominant format for MAP-sealed fresh meat, poultry, and deli products at retail, and for takeaway and food service hot-fill applications. BOPS trays offer excellent clarity for retail display of salads, sushi, deli items, and fresh-cut produce — but PS is facing regulatory pressure due to poor recyclability in most markets. rPET trays (thermoformed from recycled PET sheet) are increasingly specified by supermarket buyers to meet recycled content requirements — providing equivalent functionality to virgin PET trays with certified recycled content. BRCGS Packaging Materials certification and a Declaration of Compliance under EU Regulation 10/2011 are required from all food-grade tray manufacturers.
MAP sealing, lidding film, and retail specifications
Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is a technique used to extend the shelf life of fresh foods — particularly fresh meat, poultry, fish, and prepared produce — by replacing the air inside the sealed tray with a controlled gas mixture (typically a blend of CO₂, O₂, and N₂). MAP trays require a smooth, flat sealing flange that accepts a lidding film sealed hermetically under the controlled atmosphere. The lidding film must be compatible with the tray material (a PP tray requires a PP-compatible peel seal layer; a PET tray requires a PET-compatible lidding film) and must provide the required barrier to maintain the gas atmosphere during shelf life. For retail-ready packaging, trays are specified with label area dimensions, a defined sealing flange width, and a stackable or non-stackable profile — confirm all dimensions against the retailer's or buyer's shelf specification. For food service tray applications (take-out containers, school meal trays, airline catering trays), the key specifications are compartment configuration, fill volume, and stackability for transport and storage efficiency. MOQs for stock-size thermoformed trays are typically 5,000–50,000 units per specification; custom sizes require new thermoforming tooling at $500–5,000 depending on tray size and complexity.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a CPET and a PP oven tray?
CPET (crystalline PET) oven trays are designed for conventional oven heating — they withstand up to approximately 220°C without deforming or releasing migration chemicals above food-safe limits. PP trays are microwave-safe but cannot be used in conventional ovens above approximately 120–130°C. If your product is sold as an oven-ready ready meal and consumers will place it directly in a conventional oven, you must specify CPET. If your product is microwave-only, PP is suitable and lower cost. Always confirm the temperature rating with the specific manufacturer and request written confirmation of the maximum use temperature.
What lidding film do I need for MAP-sealed trays?
Lidding film for MAP trays must be compatible with the tray material (matching the seal layer chemistry for heat sealing), provide adequate barrier to maintain the MAP atmosphere during shelf life (OTR and WVTR specifications dependent on product requirements), and offer the desired peelability for the consumer. For PP trays, the standard lidding film is a PP or PA/PE lidding film with a peelable seal layer. For PET trays, a BOPET or PET-based lidding film with appropriate peel seal layer is used. For high-oxygen MAP applications (fresh red meat), specify a lidding film with high O₂ transmission to allow colour bloom — or a high-barrier film for CO₂-rich low-oxygen MAP for extended shelf life. Always validate seal integrity on your specific filling equipment before committing to production scale.
Are plastic food trays recyclable?
Recyclability of plastic food trays depends on the material, the local collection and recycling infrastructure, and whether any barriers or lidding films need to be removed before recycling. PET trays (including CPET) are recyclable where PET tray collection exists — but tray PET is often segregated from bottle PET in recycling systems. PP trays are recyclable in markets with PP tray collection streams. BOPS trays have limited recyclability in most markets. rPET trays actively support the recycled content loop. The EU PPWR recyclability assessment methodology requires packaging to be designed and labelled according to its recyclability category. When selecting a tray material for EU retail, confirm the recyclability assessment under the PPWR framework with your packaging compliance advisor.
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