Seal freshness. Protect quality. Elevate visibility appeal. Extend shelf life.
Tray sealing films are engineered for today’s high-performance packaging not only in food, pharmaceutical, but also in a majority of industrial sectors.
What is tray sealing?
Tray sealing film is a specialized flexible film used to heat-seal pre-formed trays across the food, pharmaceutical, and industrial sectors. It ensures a secure seal, extends product shelf life, and preserves visual appeal in diverse storage and distribution environments.
Manufactured using multilayer flexible materials, tray sealing films are available in multiple configurations, including high-barrier, peelable, and anti-fog variants. They are suitable for different tray substrates such as PP, PET, APET, CPET, and aluminum.
Applications
Tray sealing films are widely used in:
Food Packaging
- Fresh produce.
- Meat, poultry, and seafood.
- Dairy and bakery items.
- Ready-to-eat meals.
- Frozen food.
Films help preserve product freshness, prevent contamination, and maintain visual appeal.
Medical and Pharmaceutical
- Medical device trays.
- Diagnostic kits.
- Sterile product packaging.
Tray sealing films used in these applications meet hygienic standards and are often designed for tamper-evident sealing.
Industrial and Retail Packaging
- Hardware and component kits.
- Consumer electronics.
- Household and personal care items.
These films protect the contents during transit and storage, offering durability and resistance to external factors.
Material Properties
Tray sealing films are produced using advanced co-extrusion or lamination techniques. The material composition is selected based on sealing requirements, product type, and tray material. Common material structures include:
| Material Base | Functionality |
|---|---|
| Polyethylene (PE) | Sealing performance, strength, flexibility |
| Polypropylene (PP) | |
| Polyester (PET) | |
| Multilayer films with EVOH(Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer) | Excellent oxygen barrier → prevents spoilage of perishable foods. Keeps aromas in and oxygen out—ideal for modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Lightweight and recyclable when used in mono-material films. |
| Multilayer film with PVDC(Polyvinylidene Chloride) | Exceptional barrier to oxygen, moisture, and aromas. Extends shelf life of fresh and frozen products. |
| Special Coatings | Anti-fog, clarity, sealing on aluminum or paperboard |
These materials are combined to deliver specific functionalities such as peelability, barrier protection, clarity, and mechanical strength.
Types of Tray Sealing Film
Peelable Films
Peelable films are designed for consumer convenience, allowing easy opening without tearing or leaving residue. These are widely used in applications such as meal trays, salads, and desserts. Peel strength can be tailored depending on the product and tray type. Typical Materials Involved: PE, PP with peelable adhesive layers or modified sealing layers.
Lock-Seal Films
Lock-seal films offer permanent sealing, suitable for tamper-evident applications. These films ensure the seal cannot be opened without damage, providing higher security for products like raw meat, seafood, or sterile medical items. Typical Materials Involved: PP, PET, sometimes with strong seal layers (no modifiers).
Anti-Fog Films
Anti-fog tray sealing films maintain transparency by preventing condensation on the inner surface of the film, especially in chilled environments. These films are ideal for displaying fresh or moist food items under refrigeration. Typical Materials Involved: PET or PE + Anti-fog coatings.
High-Barrier Films
High-barrier tray sealing films provide excellent protection against oxygen, moisture, and aroma transmission. These are used to extend the shelf life of perishable or sensitive products. Barrier performance can be improved with coatings such as ethylene vinyl alcohol, aluminum oxide, or silicon oxide. Typical Materials Involved: PET or PP + EVOH or PVDC.
Recyclable and Sustainable Films
Recyclable tray sealing films are designed with mono-material structures to support recycling processes. These films meet environmental standards and are suitable for packaging operations targeting sustainability goals. Typical Materials Involved: Mono-material PE or PP structures (no barrier layers).
Performance Characteristics
Tray sealing films are developed with properties to ensure efficient packaging and long-term product integrity:
- Excellent Sealing Properties: Designed to work efficiently with various tray materials and sealing equipment types.
- High Optical Clarity: Enhances product presentation and retail visibility.
- Mechanical Strength: Provides durability during transportation and handling.
- Temperature Resistance: Performs well under refrigerated, frozen, or ambient storage.
- Puncture and Tear Resistance: Protects contents against damage and leakage.
- Customizable Barrier Levels: Suitable for different shelf life and protection requirements.
Compatibility
Tray sealing films are compatible with both manual and automatic tray sealing equipment. They are designed to work with a variety of tray types including:
- Polypropylene (PP) trays;
- CPET (Crystallized Polyethylene Terephthalate) trays;
- APET (Amorphous Polyethylene Terephthalate) trays;
- Aluminum trays;
- Paperboard trays with suitable coatings.
The film is heat-sealed over the tray using flat or contoured sealing tools, ensuring a hermetic seal.
Customization Options
Depending on application and operational needs, tray sealing films can be customized in the following ways:
- Film thickness
- Roll width and length
- Peel strength and sealing temperature
- Anti-fog coating
- Printing for branding or regulatory information
- Surface finish (glossy, matte, or textured)
- Barrier layer configurations
Film selection is typically determined by tray material, product type, shelf life expectation, storage conditions, and machine specifications.
Technical Considerations
When selecting tray sealing film, several technical factors must be evaluated to ensure optimal packaging performance:
| Parameter | Considerations |
| Tray Material | Ensure compatibility with PET, PP, aluminum substrates or paperboard. |
| Sealing Temperature | Adjust based on film type and tray combination. |
| Product Type | Barrier levels and film strength vary based on food/non-food. |
| Storage Conditions | Frozen, chilled, or ambient packaging requires different specs. |
| Peel Strength | Easy-peel or lock-seal depending on use case. |
| Machine Type | Manual or automatic tray sealers. |
Packaging and Supply
Tray sealing films are generally supplied in roll form and packed to maintain cleanliness and performance. Rolls are available in standard and custom sizes to suit high-speed production lines or small-batch operations.
Packaging formats may include:
- Core dimension:76 mm (3 inch) or 152 mm (6 inch).
- Roll widths: Based on tray dimensions.
- Thickness of the film: Typically ranges from 25 to 80 microns.
- Packaging: Wrapped and boxed for dust protection and storage.
Proper storage in a clean, dry environment is recommended to maintain film properties until use.
Industry Standards and Compliance
Tray sealing films are produced to meet industry-specific regulatory and safety standards. These may include:
- Food Contact Compliance: Meets FDA, EU, or local food safety guidelines.
- Medical Packaging Standards: As per ISO 11607 and other relevant norms
- Migration Testing: Ensures safety of food-contact materials
- Recyclability Codes: Supports environmental labeling and end-of-life sorting
Certifications and documentation are often provided to assist with compliance and audit requirements.
Benefits at a Glance
Why choose tray sealing films for your packaging operations?
- Versatile Compatibility – Works seamlessly with PP, PET, CPET, APET, aluminum, and coated paperboard trays on both manual and automated sealing lines.
- Film Formats for Every Need – Peelable, lock-seal, anti-fog, high-barrier, and recyclable variants tailored to diverse product types.
- Enhanced Shelf Appeal – High optical clarity and print-ready surfaces that boost visibility and brand impact at point of sale.
- Extended Product Life – Advanced barrier technologies (EVOH, PVDC) that reduce spoilage and maintain freshness longer.
- Reliable Sealing Performance – Durable, puncture-resistant films designed for consistent, hermetic seals in all conditions.
- Sustainable Options Available – Eco-conscious mono-material constructions that support recyclability and corporate ESG goals.
- Custom-Engineered Solutions – Fully configurable in thickness, width, sealing properties, surface finish, and printing.
Conclusion
Tray sealing film is more than a packaging material — it’s a critical component in protecting product integrity, enhancing shelf impact, and meeting consumer expectations for freshness, safety, and sustainability. Whether you’re sealing ready meals, medical devices, or consumer electronics, selecting the right film ensures your product arrives exactly as intended.
As packaging requirements evolve across industries, tray sealing films offer a future-proof solution—adaptable, efficient, and aligned with global standards for performance and responsibility.