Top Seal Trays: Understanding the Different Materials

When it comes to food packaging, the right material choice can make a significant difference to product quality, safety, and sustainability. Top seal trays are widely used across the food industry, offering a secure and hygienic solution for packaging meat, fish, poultry, ready meals, and fresh produce. But not all top seal trays are created equal – the material they’re made from impacts everything from shelf life to recyclability.

What Are Top Seal Trays?

Top seal trays are rigid food packaging containers sealed with a film lid using a heat-sealing machine. They create a tamper-evident closure, ensuring freshness, hygiene, and product safety. Because of their versatility, they’re commonly used in supermarkets, butcheries, delis, and food manufacturing.

Common Materials for Top Seal Trays

CPET (Crystallised Polyethylene Terephthalate)

• Best for: Ready meals, cooked meats, chilled and frozen foods.
• Key Features: Microwaveable, ovenable (up to 220°C), and freezer safe. CPET trays are strong, heat-resistant, and ideal for convenience foods.
• Sustainability: Many CPET trays now contain recycled content, making them a more eco-friendly packaging solution.

APET (Amorphous Polyethylene Terephthalate)

• Best for: Fresh meat, poultry, and fish.
• Key Features: Excellent clarity for product visibility, good barrier properties, lightweight, and durable.
• Sustainability: Fully recyclable in most UK kerbside collections.

PP (Polypropylene)

• Best for: Microwaveable meals, chilled foods, salads, and dairy products.
• Key Features: Lightweight, cost-effective, resistant to cracking, and suitable for hot-fill applications.
• Sustainability: Widely recyclable, with increasing availability of recycled PP options.

Eco-Friendly & Compostable Options

• Best for: Businesses looking to reduce their environmental footprint.
• Key Features: Made from natural fibres, pulp, or bio-based plastics, these trays are designed to break down more sustainably.
• Sustainability: Compostable or recyclable depending on the material. Perfect for brands aiming to meet green packaging commitments.

Choosing the Right Top Seal Tray Material

When deciding which type of tray material is best for your product, consider:

• Product type: Is it fresh, frozen, chilled, or ready-to-eat?
• Shelf life requirements: Does the packaging need strong barrier protection?
• Consumer convenience: Will it need to be microwaved, frozen, or oven cooked?
• Sustainability goals: Are recyclable or compostable materials a priority?

Benefits of Using Top Seal Trays

• Tamper-evident and secure packaging
• Extended product shelf life
• Professional and attractive product display
• Compatibility with MAP (Modified Atmosphere Packaging)
• Reduced food waste and improved sustainability

Why Choose SystemPAK?

At SystemPAK, we provide a wide range of top seal trays in CPET, APET, PP and eco-friendly materials. Whether you’re packaging fresh meat, pâté, ready meals, or deli products, our trays deliver the durability, safety, and sustainability your business needs.

Top seal trays are an essential packaging solution for today’s food industry. With options ranging from CPET for ovenable ready meals to APET for fresh meat, the material you choose makes a big difference in both performance and sustainability. By selecting the right tray type, you’ll ensure your products remain fresh, safe, and appealing on the shelf — while also meeting the growing demand for eco-conscious packaging.