Buying Guide – Trays and Absorbent Pads: Guaranteed Freshness and Presentation!

Choosing the Right Tray Is More Than a Detail...
...it plays a key role in preserving the freshness of your products. When working with fresh foods—whether behind a butcher or seafood counter, or at a local market stand—you know that presentation is just as important as freshness. A well-designed tray, paired with the right absorbent pad or a ribbed bottom, can make all the difference:

• Less liquid buildup = products that stay fresh and appealing longer
• Reduced waste and greater customer satisfaction
• Better protection during transport and merchandising
• A clean, hygienic solution that helps meet food safety standards
  

What products will you be packaging?

→ Raw meat or seafood:
Nothing is less appealing than a tray filled with excess liquid. Choose a tray with an integrated absorbent pad or a ribbed-bottom design to help keep products fresh and visually appealing.
→ Fresh fruits and vegetables:
A draining base or a tray designed for Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) can make a significant difference. MAP technology is also highly effective for preserving meat products.
→ Prepared foods:
Think convenience: look for trays that are sealable, microwave-safe, and ready to use.
→ Will your product need to be frozen?
Make sure to choose a tray designed to withstand freezing temperatures and maintain its integrity throughout storage and handling

Bagasse or molded fiber trays are widely used in the food processing industry thanks to their durability and their resistance to heat, cold, grease, and moisture. As a true alternative to PS trays—now restricted for use with ready-to-eat foods—bagasse trays are also highly valued for their natural and sustainable appearance.

Paperboard trays are ideal for fruit and vegetable growers, and are also commonly used for meat applications. Lightweight, sturdy, and breathable, they offer a sustainable alternative aligned with growing consumer expectations for environmentally responsible packaging.

They also provide an attractive in-store presentation, helping enhance product visibility and appeal.

PET and rPET trays have become a go-to solution in food packaging. These trays are ideal for showcasing salads, fruits, desserts, and prepared meals. Lightweight yet durable, they ensure an attractive presentation while making handling and transport easier.

rPET goes even further: made from recycled plastic, it offers a more sustainable alternative that helps reduce environmental impact, with lower energy consumption and fewer CO₂ emissions, while remaining recyclable. It is a solution that combines performance and responsibility, ideal for businesses looking to offer packaging that is both practical and environmentally conscious.

For our clients in the food processing sector, we also offer a range of trays with rolled edges available.

Foam polystyrene (expanded polystyrene, or PS) trays are a long-standing classic in food packaging, widely recognized for their lightweight design and efficiency. Thanks to their closed-cell structure, they provide excellent thermal insulation, keeping cold products fresh and helping maintain the temperature of hot foods.

Lightweight and easy to handle, they help reduce transportation costs while remaining highly practical for everyday use. Their affordability also makes them an attractive option for businesses seeking a cost-effective yet reliable packaging solution.

From a usage standpoint, PS trays are sturdy, moisture-resistant, and can be molded into a wide variety of shapes depending on specific needs—making them a popular choice for butcher shops, fish markets, and self-service food counters.

However, polystyrene continues to present environmental challenges: it is not biodegradable, and its recyclability depends on local waste management infrastructure.

Choosing the right food tray is essential to preserve freshness, ensure a clean and appealing presentation, and optimize packaging costs.

For decades, foam polystyrene (PS) trays have been a popular choice among food businesses. Valued for their lightweight design, insulating properties, and cost-effectiveness, they remain widely used for raw meat and seafood packaging.

However, evolving regulations and environmental requirements are gradually restricting the use of certain materials, including expanded polystyrene (PS) and black plastic. It is therefore important to check the regulations in your region before making a decision.

Fortunately, several high-performance alternatives are now available. Paperboard trays are a strong option for fruits and vegetables, as well as certain meat applications. PET and rPET trays, on the other hand, offer excellent durability and clarity, while being made from recycled content and remaining recyclable in many recovery programs.

By evaluating your needs in terms of protection, presentation, durability, and regulatory compliance, you can select the packaging solution best suited to your operations.