PP Coextruded Food Trays for High-Barrier Food Packaging
HSQY PLASTIC manufactures PP coextruded trays for food manufacturers, meat processors, ready-meal producers, supermarkets and food packaging distributors. Our PP-based multilayer trays can be engineered for standard food packaging, high-barrier packaging, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and heat-sealing applications.
Depending on the required shelf life, filling process and sealing system, PP coextruded tray structures can incorporate functional layers such as PP, EVOH, PE and compatible tie layers. This allows buyers to select the appropriate combination of rigidity, oxygen barrier, moisture resistance and sealing performance for their food products.
What Is a PP Coextruded Tray?
A PP coextruded tray, also called a PP co-extruded food tray, is a thermoformed food packaging tray made from a multilayer PP-based sheet produced through coextrusion technology.
Unlike a simple mono-material tray, a coextruded tray can combine several functional layers in one structure. The PP layers provide the main tray body, mechanical strength and temperature performance, while optional barrier materials such as EVOH can be incorporated to reduce oxygen transmission.
This multilayer design makes PP coextruded trays particularly suitable for packaged meat, poultry, seafood, cheese, ready meals and other products where shelf-life control and reliable tray sealing are important.
How Does a PP Coextruded Tray Structure Work?
The performance of a PP coextruded food tray depends primarily on its layer structure. Different polymers perform different functions inside the finished tray.
| Layer / Material | Main Function | Packaging Benefit |
| PP | Structural layer | Rigidity, toughness, grease resistance and temperature performance |
| EVOH | High oxygen-barrier layer | Helps reduce oxygen transmission in high-barrier food packaging |
| PE | Functional sealing layer in selected structures | Supports heat-sealing performance with compatible lidding systems |
| Tie Layer | Layer bonding | Maintains adhesion between different polymer layers |
PP Coextruded Tray Structures Available
HSQY can recommend different PP coextruded structures according to the packaged food, required barrier level, storage conditions, sealing film and filling process.
| Structure | Barrier Level | Typical Applications |
| PP-Based Coextruded Structure | Standard | Ready meals, frozen foods, takeaway foods and general food packaging |
| PP / EVOH / PP | High oxygen barrier | MAP meat, poultry, seafood, cheese and shelf-life-sensitive foods |
| PP / EVOH / PE | High barrier with functional sealing layer | Heat-sealed food packaging and selected modified atmosphere packaging applications |
The final layer configuration should be selected according to your actual product, target shelf life, sealing film, storage temperature and thermal process. If pasteurization, retort or other elevated-temperature processing is required, please provide the process conditions before confirming the tray structure.
Key Benefits of PP Coextruded Food Trays
High Barrier Options: EVOH-containing multilayer structures are available for foods requiring improved oxygen-barrier performance.
Reliable Tray Strength: PP provides good toughness and structural performance for filling, sealing, stacking, transportation and retail handling.
MAP Packaging Compatibility: High-barrier PP trays can be paired with suitable lidding films for modified atmosphere packaging applications.
Microwave Packaging Options: Suitable PP tray structures can be developed for microwave reheating applications when matched to the required food, temperature and heating conditions.
Oil and Grease Resistance: PP-based trays are suitable for many meat, prepared meal and oily food applications.
Custom Packaging Design: Tray dimensions, depths, compartments, colors and material structures can be customized according to your production requirements.
PP Coextruded Trays for Modified Atmosphere Packaging
Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) replaces or adjusts the atmosphere inside a sealed food package using gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. To maintain the required atmosphere, the tray and lidding film must provide appropriate gas-barrier and seal-integrity performance.
A PP EVOH MAP tray uses EVOH as a functional barrier layer to help reduce oxygen transmission through the tray wall. When combined with an appropriate high-barrier lidding film and properly controlled sealing process, the system can be used for shelf-life-sensitive foods.
Shelf-life performance cannot be determined by tray material alone. Food formulation, gas mixture, residual oxygen, lidding film, seal quality, cold-chain conditions and microbiological characteristics must all be evaluated as part of the complete packaging system.
Applications of PP Coextruded Trays
| Food Application | Recommended Packaging Consideration |
| Fresh Meat | High-barrier MAP structure and compatible lidding film |
| Poultry | Leak resistance, barrier performance and reliable sealing |
| Seafood | High-barrier packaging and refrigerated distribution |
| Cheese & Dairy Products | Oxygen-barrier performance and seal integrity |
| Ready Meals | Microwave compatibility and suitable lidding system where required |
| Frozen Foods | Low-temperature toughness and transport durability |
| Prepared Foods | Custom tray dimensions, compartments and sealing requirements |
PP Coextruded Tray Specifications
| Product | PP Coextruded Food Tray |
| Material Options | PP-based multilayer, PP/EVOH/PP, PP/EVOH/PE and customized structures |
| Barrier Options | Standard barrier and high oxygen-barrier options |
| Shapes | Rectangular, square, compartment and customized shapes |
| Colors | Clear, black, white and custom colors subject to order requirements |
| Packaging Processes | Heat sealing, MAP and other food packaging applications according to tray structure |
| Customization | Size, depth, volume, compartments, color, material structure and sealing requirements |
| Typical MOQ | Typically 5,000 trays per size; final MOQ depends on model and customization |
| Typical Lead Time | Approximately 15–25 days after order confirmation, subject to order specifications |
| Supply Capacity | Up to approximately 1,000,000 trays per month depending on tray specification |
Lidding Film for PP Coextruded Trays
Selecting the correct lidding film for PP trays is as important as selecting the tray itself. The tray flange, surface sealing layer, lidding film structure and sealing machine parameters must work together to achieve consistent seal strength and package integrity.
Depending on the application, HSQY can help buyers evaluate standard sealing films, easy-peel films, anti-fog options and high-barrier lidding structures for PP food trays.
For MAP packaging, both the tray and the lidding film should provide the required barrier performance. For easier validation, please send us your tray dimensions, food type, filling temperature, gas mixture, sealing machine information and target shelf life.
Custom PP Coextruded Tray Manufacturing
In addition to standard PP food trays, HSQY PLASTIC supports customized tray projects for food manufacturers and packaging distributors.
Custom options can include tray length, width, depth, capacity, number of compartments, flange dimensions, color, material layer structure and sealing requirements. We can also discuss packaging performance according to your filling line and distribution conditions.
For a new project, providing an existing tray sample, drawing, CAD file or target dimensions can help accelerate technical evaluation and quotation.
How to Choose the Right PP Coextruded Tray
The best PP coextruded tray should be selected as part of the complete packaging system rather than by tray dimensions alone.
1. Define the food product: Tell us whether you are packing fresh meat, poultry, seafood, cheese, ready meals, frozen food or another product.
2. Define the packaging technology: Confirm whether the package will use standard heat sealing, modified atmosphere packaging, vacuum skin packaging or another process.
3. Define the shelf-life requirement: High-barrier EVOH structures are generally considered when oxygen transmission needs to be reduced.
4. Confirm temperature conditions: Provide filling temperature, refrigerated or frozen storage conditions, microwave requirements and any pasteurization or retort process.
5. Confirm the lidding film: Sealant compatibility, peel strength, anti-fog properties and barrier performance should be considered together with the tray.
6. Test on your production line: Final tray and lidding-film combinations should be validated using the actual filling, sealing, storage and distribution conditions.
Why Choose HSQY as Your PP Coextruded Tray Supplier?
HSQY PLASTIC supplies food packaging solutions to international B2B customers and supports both standard tray procurement and customized food packaging projects.
Buyers can discuss PP tray structures, EVOH high-barrier requirements, MAP applications, custom tray dimensions and matching lidding films with one supplier, helping simplify packaging development and sourcing.
Food-contact documentation, samples and technical information can be discussed according to the tray model, destination market and order requirements.
PP Coextruded Tray FAQ
What is the difference between a PP tray and a PP coextruded tray?
A standard PP tray primarily relies on polypropylene for its packaging performance. A PP coextruded tray uses a multilayer structure that can incorporate additional functional materials such as EVOH or PE to provide properties such as enhanced oxygen barrier or specific sealing performance.
What is an EVOH barrier PP tray?
An EVOH barrier PP tray is a multilayer polypropylene food tray containing an EVOH barrier layer. EVOH is used to reduce oxygen transmission, making this type of tray suitable for many high-barrier and modified atmosphere packaging applications.
Are PP coextruded trays suitable for MAP packaging?
Yes. High-barrier PP coextruded trays containing EVOH can be designed for MAP packaging. However, MAP performance depends on the complete package, including the tray, lidding film, gas mixture, sealing quality and storage conditions.
Can PP coextruded trays be used for fresh meat packaging?
Yes. High-barrier PP/EVOH trays are commonly considered for fresh meat, poultry, seafood and other refrigerated products where oxygen-barrier performance and secure sealing are required.
Are PP coextruded trays microwave safe?
Suitable PP tray structures can be designed for microwave reheating. The final suitability depends on the specific PP formulation, food load, microwave power, heating duration and package design, so the intended heating conditions should be confirmed before ordering.
Can PP coextruded trays be used in a conventional oven?
Conventional-oven use should not be assumed for every PP coextruded tray. Temperature resistance depends on the specific material structure and product design. Please provide the required oven temperature and heating time so that HSQY can evaluate whether a suitable structure is available.
What lidding film is suitable for PP coextruded trays?
The correct lidding film depends on the tray sealing layer, required peel strength, anti-fog requirement, barrier level and packaging process. HSQY can recommend compatible standard, easy-peel, anti-fog and high-barrier lidding film options according to your application.
Can HSQY customize PP coextruded tray sizes and colors?
Yes. Custom dimensions, depths, capacities, compartment designs, colors, layer structures and sealing requirements can be discussed according to your order quantity and packaging project.
How do I request PP coextruded tray samples?
Send HSQY your required tray dimensions, food application, annual or monthly quantity, sealing method, barrier requirement and destination country. If you already use an existing tray, providing photos, drawings or samples will help us recommend a suitable option more quickly.
How do I choose between standard PP and high-barrier PP/EVOH trays?
Standard PP trays may be suitable where high oxygen-barrier performance is not required. PP/EVOH multilayer trays are normally considered when the food product, MAP process or target shelf life requires improved oxygen-barrier performance. The final choice should be validated using the actual product and packaging conditions.
Request a PP Coextruded Tray Quote
Looking for a reliable PP coextruded tray manufacturer, PP EVOH tray supplier or complete tray-and-lidding solution? Send HSQY your food application, tray dimensions, estimated quantity and packaging requirements. Our team can help evaluate standard models or customized solutions for your project.
