What Is PET/PE Sealing Film?
PET/PE sealing film, also known as PET/PE lidding film, BOPET/PE tray film or laminated top-seal film, is a multilayer flexible packaging material consisting of a PET or BOPET outer layer and a PE-based inner sealing layer.
The PET layer provides transparency, tensile strength, dimensional stability, stiffness and a printable surface. The PE-based layer provides heat-sealing performance against a compatible PE, modified-polyolefin or PE-coated tray flange.
Depending on the sealant formulation and additional functional layers, PET/PE films can be developed for easy peel, medium peel, lock seal, anti-fog, high barrier, modified atmosphere packaging, freezing, custom printing and selected heat-treatment applications.
HSQY supplies PET/PE sealing-film rolls for food processors, packaging converters, tray manufacturers, distributors and brand owners. Film compatibility must be confirmed with the actual tray, food product, sealing equipment and storage process before mass production.
PET/PE Film Layer Structure
| Film Layer | Main Function | Packaging Benefit |
| PET or BOPET Outer Layer | Structural and printable layer | Provides strength, clarity, gloss, stiffness, dimensional stability and machine handling |
| Printing Ink | Optional graphics and information layer | Supports logos, product information, barcodes, QR codes and heating instructions |
| Lamination Adhesive | Bonds the PET and PE layers | Maintains laminate integrity during sealing, storage, transportation and handling |
| Optional EVOH Barrier Layer | Reduces oxygen and gas transmission | Supports MAP, oxygen-sensitive food and longer distribution requirements |
| PE-Based Sealant Layer | Food-facing heat-seal layer | Provides easy-peel, controlled-peel or lock-seal performance on a compatible flange |
| Optional Anti-Fog Treatment | Improves surface wettability | Reduces visible condensation droplets in chilled-food packaging |
The exact layer ratio, adhesive, sealant, barrier and anti-fog formulation must be selected according to the tray surface, food product, storage temperature and required opening behavior.
PET/PE Sealing Film Product Range
The current HSQY category includes tray-lidding films and wider PET/PE lamination films. These product groups should be distinguished because their dimensions, applications and minimum order quantities are different.
| Product Family | Reference Thickness | Reference Width | Main Application |
| Easy-Peel PET/PE Tray Lidding Film | Approximately 52–90 μm | Approximately 150–900 mm | Consumer-friendly tray packaging requiring controlled peel |
| Lock-Seal PET/PE Tray Lidding Film | Approximately 52–90 μm | Approximately 150–900 mm | Strong closure for liquid-rich, transport-sensitive or tamper-evident packages |
| 60 Micron PET/PE Lidding Film | 60 μm standard; selected products approximately 50–100 μm | Selected standard widths of 150 mm, 230 mm and 280 mm | Ready meals and compatible food-tray packaging |
| General PET/PE Lamination Film | Approximately 45–350 μm across selected products | Up to approximately 2600 mm for selected wide-roll structures | Wide rollstock, pouches, cups, forming webs and customized packaging |
Reference Specifications
| Product Name | PET/PE Laminated Sealing Film and Tray Lidding Film |
| Standard Structure | PET or BOPET outer layer laminated to a PE-based sealing layer |
| High-Barrier Structure | PET/PE/EVOH/PE or another customized barrier laminate |
| Tray-Lidding Thickness | Approximately 52–100 μm across selected products |
| Wide Lamination Film Thickness | Approximately 45–350 μm for selected customized products |
| Tray-Lidding Width Range | Approximately 150–900 mm |
| Selected Standard Widths | 150 mm, 180 mm, 230 mm, 280 mm, 320 mm, 400 mm and 640 mm |
| Maximum Wide-Roll Width | Up to approximately 2600 mm for selected general lamination structures |
| Reference Roll Length | Approximately 500 m for selected tray-lidding products; custom lengths available |
| Core Diameter | Customized according to the packaging machine |
| Appearance | Clear, colored, matte or custom printed |
| Seal Options | Easy peel, medium peel, controlled peel, lock seal or weld seal |
| Functional Options | Anti-fog, EVOH high barrier, puncture resistance, contamination sealing, printing, perforation and selected thermal grades |
| Compatible Equipment | Manual, semi-automatic and fully automatic tray sealing machines after testing |
| Reference MOQ | Approximately 500 kg for selected general lamination films and approximately 1,000 kg for selected tray-lidding films |
| Reference Lead Time | Approximately 7–15 working days, depending on structure, printing, quantity and production schedule |
| Sample Support | Samples or trial rolls can be discussed according to material availability and required specification |
Final thickness, width, roll length, MOQ, lead time and functional performance must be stated in the approved technical specification and commercial quotation.
Easy-Peel PET/PE Lidding Film
Easy-peel PET/PE lidding film is designed to remain secure during filling, transportation and storage while allowing the consumer to remove the lid progressively from a peel tab.
A successful easy-peel package should provide:
Controlled peel-initiation force
Stable peel-propagation force
One-piece lid removal
Limited film tearing or shredding
Limited residue on the tray flange
Sufficient package security during distribution
Consistent opening after refrigerated storage
Review HSQY's easy-peel PET/PE tray lidding film for controlled-peel packaging applications.
Lock-Seal PET/PE Lidding Film
Lock-seal PET/PE film forms a stronger or substantially non-peelable bond with a compatible PE sealing surface.
It is suitable when leakage resistance, tamper evidence, transport security and resistance to accidental opening are more important than easy consumer peeling.
Lock-seal packaging may require cutting, puncturing or tearing to access the product. It should not be described as easy peel unless the sealant structure has been designed and tested for controlled peeling.
Review HSQY's lock-seal PET/PE lidding film for stronger tray closures.
Easy Peel vs. Lock Seal
| Comparison | Easy Peel | Lock Seal |
| Opening Method | Controlled manual peeling | Cutting, puncturing or stronger tearing may be required |
| Consumer Convenience | Higher | Lower |
| Package Security | Balanced with opening convenience | Stronger resistance to accidental opening |
| Typical Applications | Salads, desserts, dairy foods and consumer-ready meals | Sauces, liquid-rich food and demanding distribution |
| Main Risk | An excessively weak peel may reduce package security | Excessive seal strength may tear the film or damage the tray |
Which Trays Can PET/PE Film Seal?
The name PET/PE describes the film structure, not universal tray compatibility. The PE-based food-facing layer must be matched to the material on the tray flange.
| Tray Material | Compatibility Guidance |
| PET/PE Tray | Primary application when the tray flange presents a compatible PE sealing surface |
| PET/EVOH/PE Tray | Often compatible when the outer tray-sealing surface remains PE; validate complete MAP barrier and seal integrity |
| PE or PE-Coated Tray | May be compatible when the PE grades provide the required easy-peel or lock-seal interaction |
| Plain APET Tray | Standard PE sealant may not seal directly; use a direct-to-PET or specially engineered universal sealant |
| rPET Tray | Confirm whether the flange is plain rPET, coated PET or PE-laminated PET |
| CPET Tray | Requires a CPET-compatible thermal grade; standard PET/PE film should not automatically be treated as ovenable |
| PP Tray | A PP-compatible sealant, BOPET/CPP film or another qualified PP structure is normally required |
| PS, PVC or Aluminum Tray | Requires substrate-specific heat-seal chemistry and separate testing |
| Coated Paperboard Tray | Compatibility depends on the polymer coating or liner on the paperboard flange |
For an application-focused explanation, review HSQY's sealing film for PET/PE trays.
Applications of PET/PE Sealing Film
Chilled Ready Meals
PET/PE lidding films can be used for pasta, rice, cooked meat, vegetables, sauces, curries and prepared chilled meals packed in compatible trays.
Fresh Meat and Poultry
High-barrier, anti-fog and puncture-resistant PET/PE structures can be developed for beef, pork, lamb, minced meat, sausages, chicken and turkey.
Fish and Seafood
Applications include fish fillets, shrimp, shellfish and prepared seafood requiring moisture resistance, anti-fog performance or MAP protection.
Fruit, Vegetables and Salads
Transparent easy-peel or anti-fog films can be used for salads, berries, tomatoes, mushrooms, vegetables and cut fruit.
Respiring produce may require microperforation or controlled gas transmission instead of a hermetically sealed high-barrier film.
Dairy and Cheese
PET/PE lidding film can be used for cheese portions, dairy desserts, yogurt-based foods and other refrigerated dairy products.
Bakery Products and Desserts
Clear or printed PET/PE films can be used for cakes, pastries, puddings, mousse, confectionery and bakery trays.
Airline and Institutional Catering
Application-specific PET/PE films can be evaluated for airline meals, central kitchens, hospitals, schools and institutional foodservice.
Standard Barrier vs. EVOH High-Barrier Film
Standard PET/PE film provides mechanical protection, useful moisture resistance and a heat-sealable food-contact surface. It should not automatically be described as a high-oxygen-barrier film.
| Comparison | Standard PET/PE Film | EVOH High-Barrier PET/PE Film |
| Main Barrier Function | General moisture and product protection | Reduced oxygen and gas transmission |
| MAP Suitability | Not automatically suitable | Can be developed for MAP after whole-package validation |
| Required Data | General seal strength and moisture performance | OTR, WVTR, gas mixture, humidity and target shelf life |
| Typical Applications | Shorter-distribution chilled food, bakery and general tray packaging | Meat, seafood, cheese, oxygen-sensitive meals and MAP packaging |
For oxygen-sensitive food and modified atmosphere packaging, review HSQY's EVOH-based high-barrier PET/PE sealing film.
Commercial shelf life must be validated using the actual food, tray, film, gas mixture, sealing equipment and refrigerated distribution conditions.
Anti-Fog PET/PE Sealing Film
Anti-fog treatment changes the wetting behavior of condensed moisture on the food-facing surface.
Instead of forming separate visible droplets, moisture spreads into a thinner and more transparent layer. Anti-fog film does not remove moisture and does not completely prevent condensation.
Anti-fog performance depends on:
Review HSQY's anti-fog PET/PE sealing film for chilled-food display applications.
Microwave, Oven and Freezer Compatibility
Can PET/PE Sealing Film Be Microwaved?
Standard PET/PE lidding film should not automatically be described as microwaveable. A microwave-grade film must be selected and validated with the actual tray, food, power level, heating time and steam-release instructions.
Can PET/PE Film Be Used in a Conventional Oven?
Standard PET/PE film is not automatically ovenable. Conventional-oven applications require a dedicated high-temperature film, compatible CPET or aluminum tray and complete cooking validation.
Can PET/PE Film Be Used for Frozen Food?
Selected freezer-grade PET/PE films can be developed, but standard easy-peel and lock-seal products should not automatically be described as freezer-safe.
Frozen-food testing should evaluate low-temperature flexibility, impact resistance, laminate bond, seal retention, film puncture and peel behavior after thawing.
Tray Sealing Machine Compatibility
PET/PE film can be converted into rolls for manual, semi-automatic, rotary and fully automatic tray sealing machines.
Buyers should provide:
Machine manufacturer and model
Tray mold and cavity layout
Finished film width
Core inside diameter
Maximum roll outside diameter
Maximum roll weight
PE sealing side wound inside or outside
Film unwind direction
Sealing temperature range
Sealing pressure
Dwell time
Production speed
Film-cutting method
Print-registration sensor
MAP or gas-flush function
HSQY also supplies food tray sealing machines for atmospheric heat sealing and selected modified atmosphere packaging systems.
How to Establish the Correct Sealing Window
The sealing window is the range of temperature, pressure and dwell time that creates a continuous seal without damaging the film or tray.
Production trials should evaluate:
Minimum seal-initiation temperature
Maximum temperature before film distortion
Required pressure
Minimum effective dwell time
Hot-tack strength
Seal strength after cooling
Peel-initiation force
Peel-propagation force
One-piece opening behavior
Seal-through-contamination performance
Wrinkles and channel leaks
Tray-flange deformation
Film tracking at production speed
Package leak and burst resistance
Increasing sealing temperature is not always the correct solution to a weak seal. Film orientation, tray compatibility, flange cleanliness, pressure and sealing-tool flatness should also be checked.
Sealing Through Moisture, Oil and Food Contamination
Water, oil, sauce, fat and food particles on the tray flange can interrupt the seal and create leakage channels.
Selected contamination-sealing formulations can tolerate limited moisture or grease, but no film should replace proper filling control and flange cleaning.
Contamination tests should use the actual food residue, tray, sealing machine, line speed and refrigerated conditioning process.
Common PET/PE Sealing Problems
| Problem | Possible Causes | Items to Check |
| Film Does Not Seal | Incompatible tray surface, reversed film, insufficient temperature or poor tool contact | Tray flange material, PE sealing side, temperature, pressure and dwell time |
| Weak or Inconsistent Seal | Flange contamination, uneven tray, unstable temperature or low pressure | Flange cleanliness, tray flatness, sealing tool and machine controls |
| Easy-Peel Film Is Too Difficult to Open | Excessive temperature, pressure or dwell time, or incorrect sealant grade | Confirm the easy-peel structure and reduce sealing energy within the validated window |
| Seal Opens Too Easily | Insufficient sealing energy or an excessively weak peel formulation | Tray surface, film grade, temperature, pressure and conditioning time |
| Film Tears Instead of Peeling | Seal strength exceeds film strength, film is damaged or the peel tab is inadequate | Film thickness, sealant grade, peel force and tray-tab design |
| Wrinkles Appear in the Seal | Uneven film tension, poor tracking, tray distortion or tool misalignment | Roll tension, film tracking, tray positioning and seal-plate flatness |
| Package Leaks | Channel leaks, food contamination, film punctures, cracked trays or incomplete seals | Flange cleanliness, film integrity, tray condition and complete seal continuity |
| Film Delamination | Inadequate adhesive cure, excessive heat, chemical exposure or poor laminate bond | Adhesive cure, residual solvent, food composition and storage conditions |
| Poor Roll Feeding | Telescoping, blocking, incorrect winding tension or unsuitable coefficient of friction | Roll condition, storage, web tension and machine settings |
Custom-Printed PET/PE Lidding Film
PET/PE sealing film can be printed with brand logos, product names, ingredients, nutritional information, cooking instructions, storage instructions, barcodes and QR codes.
Printed-film projects normally require:
Editable artwork files
Finished film width
Print repeat length
Number of colors
Pantone or approved color references
Printing direction
Registration-mark position
Tray orientation in the sealing mold
PE sealing side wound inside or outside
Food-contact ink and adhesive requirements
Microwave, freezing or heat-treatment requirements
Food-Contact Compliance
Food-contact suitability depends on the exact PET resin, PE sealant, adhesive, EVOH layer, anti-fog treatment, printing ink, food type, contact duration and use temperature.
Buyers should specify:
Destination country or market
Food type
Direct food-contact conditions
Contact duration
Filling temperature
Ambient, chilled or frozen storage
Microwave or heating conditions
Printed or unprinted structure
Required declaration or migration tests
Restricted-substance requirements
Food-contact statements and test reports must be confirmed for the exact film structure and intended conditions. A document for one sealant, thickness or printing system should not automatically be applied to every product in the category.
Is PET/PE Sealing Film Recyclable?
PET/PE film combines two different polymer families and should not automatically be described as a mono-material or universally recyclable packaging film.
Actual recyclability depends on:
PET-to-PE ratio
EVOH or other functional layers
Lamination adhesive
Printing inks and anti-fog treatment
Tray material
Whether the lid separates from the tray
Food contamination
Local collection and sorting infrastructure
Destination-market design-for-recycling requirements
Mono-PET-compatible coated films or PE-rich mono-material alternatives can be evaluated as separate projects. Any recyclability claim should be supported by a whole-package assessment.
PET/PE Film Customization Options
Custom PET and PE layer ratio
Custom total thickness
Easy-peel, medium-peel or lock-seal formulation
Customized peel force
EVOH high-barrier structure
Custom OTR and WVTR targets
Anti-fog treatment
Seal-through-contamination formulation
Puncture-resistant structure
Freezer-grade structure
Selected microwave or heat-treatment grade
Microperforation for fresh produce
Custom printing
Custom film width and roll length
Custom core and maximum roll diameter
Custom winding direction
Registration marks for automatic tray sealers
Custom cartons, labels and export pallets
Quality Control
Relevant inspection items may include:
PET and PE raw-material verification
Total film thickness and tolerance
Individual layer distribution when specified
Roll width and length
Core size and roll outside diameter
Winding tension and roll alignment
Transparency, haze and gloss
Surface scratches, gels and contamination
Lamination-bond strength
Residual solvent when applicable
Seal-initiation temperature
Hot-tack strength
Seal strength and peel force
One-piece opening behavior
Puncture and tensile performance
Anti-fog testing when required
OTR and WVTR when specified
Print color and registration accuracy
Food-contact documentation review
Packaging and pallet protection
Information Required for a PET/PE Film Quote
To receive an accurate film recommendation and quotation, please provide:
Tray material and complete layer structure
Material on the tray sealing flange
Physical tray samples
Tray dimensions and flange width
Food or packed product
Food filling temperature
Ambient, chilled or frozen storage conditions
Easy-peel, medium-peel or lock-seal requirement
Existing film sample or target peel force
Anti-fog requirement
High-barrier or MAP requirement
Required OTR and WVTR
Microwave, oven or freezer requirement
Required film thickness
Film width and roll length
Core inside diameter
Maximum roll outside diameter
PE sealing side winding direction
Tray sealing machine manufacturer and model
Current sealing temperature, pressure and dwell time
Production speed
Printed or unprinted film
Artwork and print repeat length
Required food-contact documentation
Order quantity and annual consumption
Destination country, port or delivery address
Frequently Asked Questions About PET/PE Sealing Film
What is PET/PE sealing film made from?
It normally consists of a PET or BOPET outer layer laminated to a PE-based food-contact sealing layer.
What does the PET layer do?
PET provides transparency, gloss, tensile strength, stiffness, dimensional stability and a printable surface.
What does the PE layer do?
The PE-based layer provides the heat-seal interface and can be formulated for easy peel, controlled peel or lock seal.
Can PET/PE film seal plain PET trays?
Not necessarily. Standard PET/PE film normally requires a compatible PE or modified-polyolefin flange. Plain APET may require a direct-to-PET film.
Can PET/PE film seal PET/PE trays?
Yes, PET/PE trays with a compatible PE sealing surface are a primary application for PET/PE lidding film.
Can the film seal PET/EVOH/PE trays?
It is often compatible when the outer tray-sealing layer remains PE. MAP barrier and seal integrity must still be tested.
Can PET/PE film seal PP trays?
Standard compatibility should not be assumed. PP trays normally require a PP-compatible sealant such as a CPP-based structure.
What is the difference between easy peel and lock seal?
Easy-peel film is designed for controlled manual opening. Lock-seal film produces a stronger or substantially non-peelable closure.
What thicknesses are available?
Selected tray-lidding products cover approximately 52–100 μm. Wider general lamination products can cover approximately 45–350 μm.
What roll widths are available?
Tray-lidding films are available from approximately 150–900 mm. Selected general lamination films can be supplied at widths up to approximately 2600 mm.
What is the standard roll length?
Selected tray-lidding products use a reference roll length of approximately 500 m. Custom lengths are available according to roll weight and machine limits.
Is PET/PE film automatically high barrier?
No. High-oxygen-barrier applications normally require EVOH, PVdC, AlOx, SiOx or another validated barrier structure.
Can PET/PE film be used for MAP packaging?
Yes, when a suitable high-barrier film is combined with a compatible high-barrier tray and validated MAP process.
Is anti-fog film available?
Yes. Anti-fog treatment can be added for chilled foods, salads, produce, meat, seafood and refrigerated meals.
Can standard PET/PE film be microwaved?
Standard film should not automatically be microwaved. A dedicated microwave-grade structure and complete package test are required.
Can PET/PE film be used in a conventional oven?
Standard PET/PE film is not automatically ovenable. Use a dedicated ovenable film with a compatible CPET or aluminum tray.
Can PET/PE film be used for frozen food?
Selected freezer-grade structures can be developed after testing low-temperature flexibility, seal retention and impact resistance.
Why does the film not seal to the tray?
Common causes include an incompatible flange material, reversed film, low temperature, insufficient pressure, short dwell time or poor tool contact.
Why does easy-peel film tear during opening?
Seal strength may exceed film strength, the film may be damaged, the gauge may be insufficient or the tray may lack an adequate peel tab.
Can the film seal through sauce, oil or moisture?
Selected contamination-sealing grades can tolerate limited food residue, but the tray flange should still be kept as clean and dry as possible.
Can PET/PE film be custom printed?
Yes. Logos, graphics, product information, barcodes, QR codes and registration marks can be printed according to approved artwork.
Is PET/PE sealing film recyclable?
PET/PE is a multi-polymer laminate and is not universally accepted in PET or PE recycling systems. The complete package requires a market-specific assessment.
What is the minimum order quantity?
The reference MOQ is approximately 500 kg for selected general lamination films and approximately 1,000 kg for selected tray-lidding films.
What is the production lead time?
The reference lead time is approximately 7–15 working days after the film structure, dimensions, printing and commercial terms are confirmed.
Can I request a sample or trial roll?
Samples or trial rolls can be discussed according to material availability, film width, tray sample, seal type and functional requirements.
Request a PET/PE Sealing Film Quote
Looking for a PET/PE sealing-film manufacturer, easy-peel tray film, lock-seal lidding film, anti-fog film or EVOH high-barrier packaging solution?
Contact HSQY to request technical recommendations, tray compatibility testing, trial rolls, custom printing, roll specifications, factory pricing and international shipping information.
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