Packaging · Rigid Food Packaging
Polymer sourcing for ready meal and ovenable trays
Dual-ovenable trays for chilled and frozen ready meals. CPET handles conventional and microwave ovens; PP for microwave-only formats.
Recommended polymers
Polyethylene Terephthalate
PETSaturated polyester. Bottle-grade, fiber and thermoforming sheet. rPET adoption mandated by PPWR for beverage packaging.
Polypropylene
PPVersatile commodity polyolefin. Highest European production volume after PE. Homopolymer, random and impact copolymer grades cover injection, extrusion, fiber, film.
Key requirements
- Dual-ovenable performance to 220 °C (CPET) or microwave-safe to 900 W (PP)
- Dimensional stability after -18 °C to 220 °C thermal cycling
- Seal peel strength 8–20 N with OPP or PET lidding film
- EU 10/2011 food contact compliance with no migration above thresholds
Procurement notes
CPET (crystallised PET) tray extrusion requires specialist crystallisable grades — Indorama Ventures and Equipolymers supply the resin. PP random copolymer or clarified PP is used for microwave-only variants. Meal-kit operators and supermarket own-brand converters typically run 12-month supply agreements; spot purchases are common for new SKU launches with uncertain volumes.
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Source for ready meal and ovenable trays →Other rigid food packaging use cases
Packaging
Yogurt and dairy pots
Thermoformed or injection-moulded tubs for yogurt, cream, and dessert. Thin-wall PP dominates at sub-0.5 mm; HIPS for white opaque body with PP lid.
Packaging
Fresh produce and salad trays
Rigid APET or PP trays for supermarket fresh produce, meat, and ready-to-eat salads. Modified atmosphere film-lid sealing common.