Polypropylene (PP) and Recycled PET (rPET) are the two most quoted sheet materials for thermoformed food trays in retail and merchandising projects. Both run well on standard thermoforming equipment, but they differ in clarity, toughness and sealing.
Everything here can be checked on a real sample before you commit to a production order.
This category covers a family of products rather than a single item. In practice a buyer defines thermoformed food trays by three things: the base resin, the format or dimension, and the performance or certification level it has to meet. Typical options in this category include barrier EVOH/PE structures; gauge 0.30 to 1.20 mm; MAP and vacuum lidding options. Materials most often specified are Recycled PET, Polystyrene, Polypropylene, Polyethylene Terephthalate, and the choice between them changes stiffness, temperature resistance, chemical behaviour and price.
In the retail and merchandising sector the decision is usually driven by shelf presentation and print quality, with stack strength as a secondary requirement. Typical end uses include promotional packs, counter displays, pegboard blisters.
These figures are typical for commercial grades and should be confirmed against the supplier's certificate for your specific lot.
| Material | Density | Tensile strength | Service temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polylactic Acid | 1.24 g/cm³ | 50-60 MPa | up to 55°C (HDT) |
| Polystyrene | 1.04-1.06 g/cm³ | 30-50 MPa | -20°C to 70°C |
| Polyethylene Terephthalate | 1.35-1.40 g/cm³ | 50-70 MPa | -40°C to 70°C |
Polypropylene is frequently the default selection here: PP is the lightest mainstream packaging resin and keeps its shape under repeated flexing.
Polypropylene grades offer lowest density among commodity plastics, while Recycled PET brings lower carbon footprint than virgin resin. For retail and merchandising service the difference shows up in creep and in the long term behaviour under load.
The practical decision usually comes down to the service environment: temperature, chemical exposure and expected lifetime.
Beyond the base resin, most suppliers offer UV stabilised, food contact, flame retardant, anti-static and recycled content versions of the same product. Ask which additive package is included, because it is often the difference between a part that lasts three years and one that lasts ten.
Each step below has its own control points, and skipping one of them is where most defects start.
Secondary operations such as printing, welding, machining and assembly are often cheaper to do in the same factory, and they reduce the risk of mismatch between components.
Use this checklist when comparing two or three supplier quotations.
Send this list to your supplier with the drawing and you will receive comparable quotations from every factory you contact.
Standard production tolerance follows the relevant ISO or DIN tolerance class for the process; tighter tolerances are possible after machining or grinding, but they add cost. Define the tolerance only on the functional dimensions.
A new tool typically takes 25 to 45 days depending on cavity count and complexity, followed by T1 samples within one week. Existing tools can usually start production within 10 to 15 days of order confirmation.
Yes. Standard samples are normally free of charge and shipped within three working days; custom samples are charged at cost and credited against the first production order.
For standard sizes and colours the minimum is usually one pallet or one production run; for custom tooling the economic minimum depends on the tooling cost amortised over the expected volume. Send us your annual volume and we will calculate the break even point.
Colour is controlled with a masterbatch reference approved by the customer, and every production lot is checked against the approved sample under standard lighting before shipment.
Share your specification and quantity with us and we will recommend the most cost effective material, tooling route and packing method for your market.
Rubber & Plastics © 2026 All Rights Reserved. Yingnet.com — Global B2B trade platform for rubber & plastics manufacturers.
About Us | Contact Us | Help Center | Sitemap