Agriculture and horticulture buyers increasingly specify thermoformed egg trays and cartons instead of injection moulding or corrugated board. Here is where they are used and why they work.
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 egg trays and cartons 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 gauge 0.30 to 0.60 mm; 6, 10, 12 and 18 cell formats; clear and coloured. Materials most often specified are Polyethylene Terephthalate, Recycled PET, Polypropylene, Polystyrene, and the choice between them changes stiffness, temperature resistance, chemical behaviour and price.
In the agriculture and horticulture sector the decision is usually driven by UV stability and stack strength, with cell geometry as a secondary requirement. Typical end uses include produce punnets, grow trays, seedling trays.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polypropylene | 0.90-0.91 g/cm³ | 25-40 MPa | -10°C to 100°C |
| Polyethylene Terephthalate | 1.35-1.40 g/cm³ | 50-70 MPa | -40°C to 70°C |
| Polystyrene | 1.04-1.06 g/cm³ | 30-50 MPa | -20°C to 70°C |
Polyethylene Terephthalate is frequently the default selection here: High IV PET resin is the reason a 1.5 L bottle can be light yet hold carbonation pressure.
In the agriculture and horticulture sector, these are the applications where this product has proven itself.
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.
Processing method drives both cost and performance, so it should be fixed early in the design.
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 packing is export cartons on fumigation-free pallets, with custom labelling, barcode and retail packing available. We also handle consolidated containers and door to door delivery.
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.
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.
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.
We can provide ISO 9001 quality system documentation, material certificates, RoHS and REACH statements, and where applicable food contact, flame retardancy or drinking water approvals. Tell us your target market and we will match the document set.
Our team supplies thermoformed egg trays and cartons to agriculture and horticulture customers worldwide, with samples, material certificates and full inspection reports available before mass production.
Rubber & Plastics © 2026 All Rights Reserved. Yingnet.com — Global B2B trade platform for rubber & plastics manufacturers.
About Us | Contact Us | Help Center | Sitemap