What is film on tray?
Tray and lidding film, also known as, heat seal film, or lidding film, is a thin layer of film that is used to seal a tray. This method is commonly used in supermarkets and food production lines because it offers both convenience and protection for the contents inside the tray.
The most common types of trays used in this system are made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or similar plastics, and the film applied over them is designed to form a tight, secure seal. This setup is not only practical for storage and transport but also helps extend shelf life, especially for fresh food products.
One of the advanced forms of this packaging method is called MAP tray lidding film, where MAP stands for Modified Atmosphere Packaging. In this system, the air inside the tray is replaced with a gas mixture—often carbon dioxide and nitrogen—to slow down the growth of bacteria and maintain freshness for longer. The map tray lidding film is specially designed to retain this modified atmosphere and create a strong seal with the tray. This makes it ideal for packaging meat, fish, ready meals, and other perishable items.
In addition to MAP, there are other types of lidding film for PET trays. These films are tailored to adhere well to PET surfaces and can vary in features like peelability, anti-fog properties, and clarity. For instance, a peelable lidding film allows the consumer to easily remove the film without spilling the contents or leaving residue, making the product more user-friendly.
Sometimes lidding film is useful just to add an extra layer of protection for liquid products. Depending on the type of product that it’s covering, lidding film is commonly made of:
Foil
PET
Paper / PE
Other PE laminates
JINYU can help you determine which material is best suited for your products, and will be compatible with your production operations.
From a production point of view, applying film to trays can be done using automatic sealing machines, which improve efficiency and hygiene. These machines use heat and pressure to seal the film over the tray, ensuring that the contents are protected from air, moisture, and contaminants.
Film on tray packaging is a smart and widely used solution in modern food packaging. Whether it's a map tray lidding film for fresh meat or a lidding film for PET tray of ready-to-eat salad, this approach offers a combination of freshness, efficiency, and consumer convenience.
