Sustainable Packaging Solution for Food Producers in 2026
Sustainability is no longer a future consideration for food producers; it is a present-day requirement. As packaging legislation tightens and consumer expectations continue to rise, businesses are increasingly reassessing how their packaging performs across environmental impact, functionality and shelf presentation… Intorducing pressed board trays.
Pressed board trays have emerged as a practical response to these pressures. By reducing plastic content while maintaining the performance needed for modern food production, they are now widely used across ready meals, chilled foods, frozen products and food-to-go packaging.
For businesses planning ahead to 2026 and beyond, pressed board trays offer a packaging format that balances sustainability with operational reliability.
Why Pressed Board Trays Are Gaining Momentum
The growing adoption of pressed board trays is being driven by a combination of regulatory change, sustainability targets and day-to-day practicality.
Compared with traditional plastic trays, pressed-board trays significantly reduce plastic usage while still offering the rigidity and durability required for food packaging. Many ranges are up to 90% plastic-free, helping businesses lower their environmental impact without compromising product protection or presentation.
Pressed-board trays are also designed to integrate seamlessly into existing top-seal packaging systems, allowing producers to evolve their packaging format without the need for major equipment changes.
Designed for Modern Food Production Environments
A key advantage of pressed board trays is their ability to support a wide range of food production and preparation methods, making them suitable for diverse product lines.
Temperature & Use Performance
Designed to perform reliably across common food packaging applications:
- Freezer safe down to –18°C, suitable for frozen storage
- Suitable for hot fill applications, supporting freshly prepared foods
- Microwave safe above 150°C, for consumer reheating
- Oven safe above 220°C for up to 60 minutes, ideal for oven-ready meals
This versatility allows producers to use a single tray format across chilled, frozen, hot-filled and cook-at-home products, helping to simplify packaging specifications and stock management.
Secure and Reliable Top-Seal Compatibility
Designed for top-seal applications, providing a secure seal that helps protect product integrity throughout storage, transport and retail display.
When sealed with compatible films, these trays provide:
- Leak resistance for sauces and high-moisture foods
- Protection for chilled and prepared meals
- A clean, professional finish suitable for retail and food-to-go environments
The option to use plain or printed lidding film allows producers to adapt branding and presentation without changing the tray format itself.
Supporting Strong Branding and Shelf Presentation
While sustainability remains a key driver, shelf presentation continues to play a vital role in consumer purchasing decisions. Our trays offer a premium, natural look that aligns well with modern food branding.
Custom printing can be applied to both the interior and exterior surfaces of pressed board trays, enabling brands to create a cohesive and high-impact presentation without relying on secondary labels or sleeves. This can also help streamline packing operations by reducing additional labelling steps.
For businesses aiming to combine environmental responsibility with premium positioning, pressed board trays provide a well-balanced solution.
A Practical Choice Across Multiple Food Sectors
Thanks to their strength, versatility and sealing compatibility, pressed board trays are used across a wide range of food categories, including:
- Ready meals and meal-prep products
- Takeaway and food-to-go packaging
- Retail chilled foods
- Frozen meals and oven-ready dishes
Their rigid structure supports stacking and transport, while their compatibility with top-seal systems makes them suitable for both small-scale producers and high-volume manufacturing environments.
Aligning with Sustainability and Compliance Goals
As sustainability reporting and packaging accountability increase, material choice plays an increasingly important role in long-term business planning. Pressed board trays support these objectives by:
- Reducing reliance on single-use plastics
- Offering biodegradable material options
- Supporting efficient sealing and transportation
- Maintaining consistent performance across multiple food formats
Producers can take a proactive step towards future-ready packaging strategies without sacrificing operational efficiency.
Choose SystemPAK
Our tray range has been developed to meet the real-world demands of food producers, combining sustainability, durability and reliable sealing performance. With multiple size options, flexible sealing compatibility and custom printing available, the range supports businesses looking to modernise their packaging approach in 2026 and beyond.
