Top 12 CPET Tray Manufacturers in UK 2026

What Are CPET Trays?

CPET trays are crystallized polyethylene terephthalate food trays designed for chilled, frozen, microwaveable, and ovenable food packaging. Compared with standard PET trays, CPET trays offer better heat resistance and dimensional stability, making them suitable for ready meals, airline catering, meal prep, frozen foods, desserts, bakery products, and foodservice packaging.

One of the main advantages of CPET food trays is their wide temperature range. Many CPET trays can be used from around -40°C to +220°C, allowing food producers to pack, freeze, transport, reheat, and serve meals in one container. This makes CPET one of the most practical materials for the UK ready meal and chilled food market.

Why CPET Trays Are Important in the UK Food Packaging Market

The UK has one of the most developed ready meal markets in Europe. Supermarkets, food manufacturers, airline caterers, meal prep brands, butchers, farm shops, and foodservice distributors all need packaging that is safe, durable, sealable, recyclable, and convenient for consumers.

CPET trays are widely used in the UK because they support:

• Frozen ready meals

• Chilled ready meals

• Ovenable meal packaging

• Microwave-safe food packaging

• Multi-compartment meals

• Airline and rail catering

• Hospital and care home meals

• Butcher and deli prepared foods

• Heat-sealed food packaging

• Retail-ready meal presentation

As sustainability regulations, plastic packaging tax, and retailer recycling requirements continue to influence packaging decisions, UK buyers are also paying more attention to recycled content, detectability, tray-to-tray recycling, and compatibility with lidding films.

Top 12 CPET Tray Manufacturers in UK 2026

1. HSQY Plastic Group

HSQY Plastic Group is a global CPET tray manufacturer supplying ovenable food trays, ready meal trays, airline meal trays, and customized food packaging solutions to international markets, including the UK.

The company offers a wide range of CPET trays for frozen meals, chilled meals, bakery products, airline catering, and foodservice applications. HSQY also provides OEM and custom mold support, making it suitable for food brands, packaging distributors, and manufacturers looking for flexible production and competitive pricing.

Main Products

• CPET ready meal trays

• One-compartment CPET trays

• Two-compartment CPET trays

• Three-compartment CPET trays

• Airline meal trays

• MAP trays

• Tray sealing films

• PET and PP food containers

Key Advantages

• Strong CPET tray manufacturing capability

• OEM and custom mold support

• Suitable for frozen, chilled, microwave, and ovenable meals

• Export experience for international buyers

• Competitive pricing for bulk orders

• Matching tray sealing film options

Best For

Food packaging distributors, ready meal manufacturers, airline catering suppliers, and UK buyers looking for a reliable overseas CPET tray manufacturer.

2. Faerch Group

Faerch is one of the most recognized names in European CPET food packaging. The company has a strong presence in the UK and Ireland ready meal market and is known for sustainable rigid food packaging solutions for ready meals, protein, food-to-go, and dairy applications.

Faerch’s CPET trays are widely used in the ready meal industry because they combine ovenability, food safety, sealing performance, and recycled content. Its Evolve range is especially well known in the UK market as a recycled and recyclable CPET tray solution.

Main Products

• CPET ready meal trays

• Evolve CPET trays

• Black CPET ID trays

• Chilled ready meal trays

• Frozen ready meal trays

• Food-to-go packaging

• Protein trays

Key Advantages

• Strong UK and European market presence

• Focus on circular food packaging

• Recycled-content CPET tray solutions

• Tray-to-tray recycling expertise

• Suitable for supermarket and large food manufacturing supply chains

• Strong technical knowledge in ready meal packaging

Best For

Large ready meal producers, supermarket suppliers, chilled food manufacturers, and companies looking for circular CPET packaging solutions.

3. Klöckner Pentaplast

Klöckner Pentaplast, often known as kp, is a global packaging company with a strong presence in the UK and European food packaging market. The company is especially known for rigid and flexible packaging films, PET trays, MAP trays, and recyclable packaging solutions.

Although kp is particularly strong in PET and MAP tray systems, its technology and material expertise make it an important supplier for UK food manufacturers looking for high-performance tray packaging.

Main Products

• PET food trays

• MAP trays

• Protein packaging trays

• Recyclable food trays

• Tray sealing films

• Flexible packaging films

• Sustainable rPET packaging

Key Advantages

• Strong technical expertise in PET food packaging

• High-performance sealing solutions

• Recycled PET packaging options

• Suitable for automated packing lines

• Strong sustainability and circularity focus

• Well established in the UK and European food packaging sector

Best For

Food processors, protein packers, chilled food manufacturers, and companies needing high-performance tray and film systems.

4. Sharpak

Sharpak is a UK-based rigid plastic packaging manufacturer and part of Groupe Guillin. The company supplies packaging solutions for the food industry and has launched recyclable CPET tray solutions for the ready meal market.

Sharpak is relevant for UK food manufacturers because it combines local production knowledge, supermarket packaging experience, and rigid plastic thermoforming expertise.

Main Products

• CPET ready meal trays

• PET food trays

• Rigid plastic food packaging

• Fresh food packaging

• Retail food trays

• Thermoformed packaging

Key Advantages

• UK-based manufacturing presence

• Experience with supermarket and retail food packaging

• Recyclable CPET tray development

• Strong thermoforming capability

• Suitable for large-volume food packaging programs

Best For

UK ready meal producers, supermarket food suppliers, and brands that prefer local or regional packaging supply.

5. PFF Packaging

PFF Packaging is one of the UK’s largest independent food packaging manufacturers. The company provides rigid plastic food-grade packaging for supermarkets, food manufacturers, foodservice businesses, and fresh produce companies.

PFF has extrusion and thermoforming capabilities, which allows it to support food packaging projects from material production through to finished tray manufacturing.

Main Products

• Rigid plastic food packaging

• PET food trays

• PP food packaging

• Thermoformed trays

• Fresh food packaging

• Foodservice packaging

Key Advantages

• UK-based independent manufacturer

• Vertically integrated extrusion and thermoforming

• Experience serving supermarkets and food manufacturers

• BRCGS-accredited production environment

• Strong design and innovation support

• Uses post-consumer recycled materials in food packaging

Best For

UK food manufacturers, fresh food brands, supermarkets, and businesses looking for a local rigid food packaging partner.

6. Macpac

Macpac is a UK thermoformed packaging manufacturer based in Manchester. The company produces packaging for food and drink, pharmaceutical, horticulture, manufacturing, and non-food markets.

For CPET tray buyers, Macpac is most relevant as a thermoforming specialist with design, tooling, and production capabilities. It can support bespoke tray projects where standard ready meal tray sizes are not enough.

Main Products

• Thermoformed food trays

• Bespoke trays

• RPET and APET packaging

• Food-grade packaging

• Bakery packaging

• Confectionery packaging

• Custom thermoformed packs

Key Advantages

• UK-based thermoforming factory

• Bespoke design and tooling support

• Suitable for small to high-volume production

• Food-grade material options

• Strong custom packaging capability

• Experience across multiple food sectors

Best For

Food brands that need custom thermoformed trays, bespoke packaging formats, and UK-based design support.

7. Caterbake Packaging

Caterbake Packaging is a UK food packaging supplier offering CPET trays, plastic containers, catering disposables, and packaging products for food manufacturing, catering, retail, and travel sectors.

Caterbake’s CPET trays are designed for freezer-to-oven and microwave applications, making them suitable for ready meals and hot food packaging.

Main Products

• CPET trays

• Plastic containers

• Ovenable food trays

• Microwave-safe trays

• Catering packaging

• Foodservice packaging

Key Advantages

• UK food packaging supplier

• CPET trays for ready meals and hot food

• Suitable for catering, retail, and travel sectors

• Multiple tray sizes and compartment options

• Practical option for smaller and mid-sized buyers

Best For

Caterers, foodservice businesses, meal prep companies, and food producers looking for accessible CPET tray supply in the UK.

8. ILPRA UK

ILPRA UK supplies CPET and PP ready meal tray solutions alongside packaging machinery and tray sealing systems. This makes the company particularly useful for food manufacturers that need both trays and sealing equipment.

ILPRA describes CPET trays as suitable for oven and microwave use, with good barrier properties and compatibility with welded or peelable lidding films.

Main Products

• CPET ready meal trays

• PP ready meal trays

• Tray sealing machines

• Lidding film solutions

• Packaging machinery

• Food packaging systems

Key Advantages

• Combines trays with sealing machinery expertise

• Suitable for ready meal production lines

• CPET trays with wide temperature resistance

• Support for welded and peelable film sealing

• Useful for automated packaging operations

Best For

Ready meal producers, food factories, and businesses that need both CPET trays and tray sealing equipment.

9. DBM Packaging

DBM is a UK packaging supplier offering thermoformed trays and injection moulded pots in a wide range of materials, including CPET, APET, RPET, PP, PVC, HIPS, EPS, PLA, and dual ovenable board.

The company provides both standard and bespoke food trays, with design, development, tooling, and stock-holding support.

Main Products

• CPET trays

• APET trays

• RPET trays

• PP trays

• Bespoke food trays

• Injection moulded pots

• Dual ovenable board trays

Key Advantages

• Wide material selection

• Bespoke and standard tray options

• Design and development support

• Tooling support for custom projects

• Stock-holding options

• Suitable for different food market sectors

Best For

Food manufacturers that need custom trays, multiple material options, and flexible packaging support.

10. Verona Eco / Eco-Friendly Food Packaging

Eco-Friendly Food Packaging by Verona Eco supplies CPET trays in the UK, including Faerch Evolve CPET ready meal trays. The company serves food processors, meal processors, butchers, caterers, farm shops, and delis.

Its product pages provide practical specifications such as tray dimensions, capacity, case quantity, temperature range, recycled content, and lidding film compatibility.

Main Products

• CPET ready meal trays

• Faerch Evolve trays

• One-compartment trays

• Two-compartment trays

• Foodservice packaging

• Lidding film options

Key Advantages

• UK-based supplier

• Clear product specifications

• Suitable for small and medium-volume buyers

• CPET trays for ready meals and meal prep

• Pallet pricing options for higher-volume users

• Practical range for butchers, delis, and food producers

Best For

Meal prep brands, butchers, delis, caterers, and small to mid-sized UK food businesses.

11. Mantle Packaging Machinery

Mantle Packaging Machinery supplies CPET ready meal trays, lidding films, and packaging equipment to UK food businesses. The company stocks Faerch Evolve CPET trays and supports caterers, supermarkets, retailers, professional kitchens, butchers, delicatessens, and institutions.

Mantle is especially relevant for buyers looking for ready meal tray supply alongside machinery and practical packaging support.

Main Products

• Recycled CPET ready meal trays

• Faerch Evolve CPET trays

• Lidding films

• Food packaging machinery

• Sustainable packaging products

Key Advantages

• UK-based packaging supplier

• CPET trays for chilled and frozen ready meals

• Suitable for professional kitchens and food producers

• Offers lidding film options

• Supports both packaging products and machinery

• Practical supplier for foodservice and retail packaging

Best For

Food shops, farm shops, caterers, butchers, professional kitchens, and businesses needing CPET trays with lidding film support.

12. Enterpack UK

Enterpack UK supplies tray sealing systems and compatible trays for food producers. The company’s tray systems can seal materials including PP, CPET, foil, and ovenable board.

Enterpack is useful for smaller food producers and businesses entering ready meal production because it focuses on simple, flexible, and cost-effective tray sealing solutions.

Main Products

• Round food trays

• CPET-compatible trays

• PP trays

• Foil trays

• Ovenable board trays

• Tray sealing systems

Key Advantages

• Practical tray sealing support

• CPET-compatible packaging systems

• Suitable for small and growing food producers

• Flexible material compatibility

• Useful for ready meals, meat, and prepared foods

Best For

Small food producers, butchers, farm shops, delis, and businesses starting or expanding ready meal production.

Comparison Table of Top CPET Tray Manufacturers in UK 2026

How to Choose a CPET Tray Manufacturer in the UK

Choosing the right CPET tray manufacturer or supplier depends on your product type, order volume, heating requirements, sealing method, and sustainability goals. Before placing an order, UK buyers should compare suppliers based on the following factors.

1. Temperature Resistance

For frozen and ovenable meals, CPET trays should support low-temperature storage and high-temperature reheating. Many CPET trays are designed for freezer-to-oven or freezer-to-microwave use, commonly around -40°C to +220°C.

2. Food Safety Compliance

Food-contact safety is essential. Ask suppliers about food-grade material compliance, BRCGS or relevant quality certifications, and whether the trays are suitable for your exact food application.

3. Lidding Film Compatibility

A CPET tray must work well with your sealing film and tray sealing machine. Check whether the tray supports welded film, peelable film, anti-fog film, MAP sealing, or high-barrier lidding film.

4. Tray Size and Compartment Design

Ready meal brands often need different tray formats, such as single-compartment trays, two-compartment trays, three-compartment trays, deep trays, shallow trays, or airline meal trays. If standard sizes do not fit your product, choose a supplier with custom mold or bespoke tooling capability.

5. Recycled Content and Recyclability

UK buyers increasingly prefer trays with recycled content and clear recyclability claims. Ask about rPET content, detectability in UK recycling systems, tray-to-tray recycling, and compliance with UK and EU packaging requirements.

6. MOQ and Lead Time

Local UK suppliers may be better for small quantities, urgent stock, or case-level purchasing. Overseas manufacturers such as HSQY Plastic Group may be better for bulk orders, custom molds, and long-term cost control.

7. Production Capacity

If you supply supermarkets, airlines, hospitals, or large foodservice customers, make sure your supplier can support stable production, repeat orders, and consistent quality.

8. Customization Ability

Custom CPET trays can improve shelf presentation, portion control, sealing performance, and brand differentiation. For custom projects, ask about tooling cost, sample lead time, mold development, and minimum order quantity.

UK CPET Tray Buying Guide

For Ready Meal Manufacturers

Choose CPET trays with strong heat resistance, good rigidity, stable sealing performance, and compatibility with automated tray sealing lines. Multi-compartment trays are useful for complete meals with sauces, vegetables, rice, pasta, or protein portions.

For Airline Catering Suppliers

Airline meal trays should be lightweight, stackable, strong, and compatible with reheating and transport requirements. Custom sizes may be needed for airline carts and meal service systems.

For Meal Prep Brands

Meal prep companies should focus on microwave safety, leak resistance, portion control, and clear case pricing. UK-based suppliers may be convenient for small batches, while global manufacturers can support private-label growth.

For Butchers and Farm Shops

Butchers and farm shops often need practical CPET trays for pies, lasagne, roast meals, prepared meat dishes, and frozen foods. Suppliers with case quantities and lidding film options are usually the best fit.

For Packaging Distributors

Distributors should look for a manufacturer with a wide CPET tray range, stable production, export experience, competitive pricing, and custom mold support. HSQY Plastic Group is a strong option for distributors that need bulk supply and OEM flexibility.

FAQs About CPET Tray Manufacturers in UK

What is a CPET tray?

A CPET tray is a crystallized PET food tray designed for frozen, chilled, microwaveable, and ovenable food packaging. It is widely used for ready meals, airline meals, bakery products, and foodservice packaging.

Are CPET trays oven safe?

Yes. Many CPET trays are oven safe and microwave safe, depending on the manufacturer’s specification. A common temperature range is around -40°C to +220°C, but buyers should always confirm the exact tray specification before use.

Are CPET trays recyclable in the UK?

Many CPET trays are recyclable, but recyclability depends on tray colour, material structure, local recycling infrastructure, and supplier design. Modern CPET trays with detectable colours and recycled content are becoming more common in the UK market.

What foods are CPET trays used for?

CPET trays are used for ready meals, frozen meals, chilled meals, pasta, lasagne, curry, rice dishes, meat dishes, desserts, bakery products, airline meals, hospital meals, and meal prep packaging.

Can CPET trays be heat sealed?

Yes. CPET trays are commonly used with tray sealing machines and lidding films. They can support welded film, peelable film, anti-fog film, and sometimes MAP sealing, depending on the tray and film combination.

What is the difference between CPET and APET trays?

APET trays are usually clear and suitable for chilled food packaging, but they are not designed for high-temperature oven use. CPET trays are crystallized, giving them better heat resistance for ovenable and microwaveable meals.

What is the difference between CPET and PP trays?

PP trays are commonly used for microwaveable meals and have good heat resistance, but CPET trays are usually preferred for dual-ovenable applications where the meal may go from freezer to conventional oven or microwave.

Who is the best CPET tray manufacturer for bulk orders?

For bulk and custom CPET tray orders, HSQY Plastic Group is a strong choice because it offers CPET tray manufacturing, OEM support, custom mold options, and export experience for international buyers.

Who is the best UK CPET tray supplier for small orders?

For smaller UK orders, suppliers such as Caterbake Packaging, Verona Eco, Mantle Packaging, and AA-style catering distributors may be suitable because they offer case quantities and standard tray sizes.

How do I choose the right CPET tray size?

Choose tray size based on meal weight, portion control, sealing machine compatibility, shelf presentation, and transport requirements. If your food product does not fit a standard tray, consider custom tooling.

Final Thoughts

The UK CPET tray market is driven by ready meals, frozen foods, foodservice, airline catering, and sustainable packaging requirements. Buyers need trays that are ovenable, microwave-safe, sealable, recyclable, and suitable for modern food production.

For local supply, companies such as Faerch, Sharpak, PFF Packaging, Macpac, Caterbake, ILPRA UK, DBM, Verona Eco, Mantle Packaging, and Enterpack offer useful options for different buyer needs. For international sourcing, bulk pricing, OEM customization, and custom CPET tray manufacturing, HSQY Plastic Group is a strong partner for UK distributors and food packaging buyers in 2026.