Cellulose food trays
How to choose a solution that combines protection, functionality, and sustainability
Cellulose-based food trays have become an increasingly important consideration for companies looking to evolve their packaging without compromising the performance standards required by the food industry. A tray is no longer merely a vessel for a product; it must protect the contents, facilitate handling, meet preservation requirements, and, at the same time, align with a sustainability strategy.
In this context, molded cellulose offers interesting possibilities for developing solutions for various food categories. However, choosing a tray should not simply be a matter of swapping one material for another. It is necessary to analyze the product, its moisture content, the preservation system, logistics, the retail format, and the experience intended for the consumer.
Ecoocel proposes precisely this approach: integrating sustainability, functionality, and innovation into food packaging solutions, using natural materials and adhering to rigorous quality and food safety standards. The company offers solutions for a variety of needs—from fresh produce to prepared meals and takeaway food.
What cellulose trays are and what sets them apart from other types of packaging
Cellulose trays are manufactured from cellulosic fibers that are processed and shaped to create a structure with the geometry required to contain and protect food products. This technology allows for the development of various formats and enables the design to be adapted to the specific characteristics of the product.
Their interest in food packaging lies in the potential to work with plant-based fibers and develop alternatives that address the market’s new environmental demands. However, the mention of cellulose does not imply that all trays are identical or that they automatically possess the same properties.
A molded-cellulose tray, a conventional cardboard tray, and a plastic container may share certain functions, but they behave differently when exposed to moisture, fats, or temperature, or during handling. For this reason, the choice should be made from a technical perspective, rather than based solely on aesthetics.
In which foods can they be used?
The versatility of cellulose-based packaging allows for applications across various categories, provided that the format and its performance characteristics are appropriately tailored to the food product.
Fruits, vegetables, and fresh produce
Fresh produce requires packaging that combines protection with presentation. Fruit can sustain damage from impacts during transport or handling, while vegetables may require specific conditions to properly maintain their characteristics.
In such cases, the geometry of the tray is particularly important. A well-suited design can help keep each item in place, prevent excessive movement, and make the most efficient use of the available space.
Meat, fish, and moist foods
Here, the requirements become more demanding. The presence of liquids or exudates necessitates special attention to the material’s properties and the overall packaging solution.
It is not just a matter of the tray looking good when it leaves the factory. It must maintain its performance throughout storage, transport, display, and handling. For this reason, factors such as mechanical strength, moisture absorption, or compatibility with other packaging components must be evaluated before selecting a format.
In these cases, the geometry of the tray is especially important. A suitable design can help keep each piece in its position, prevent excessive movement, and make better use of the available space.
Ready-made meals and takeaway
The expansion of prepared foods has also changed packaging requirements. Consumers want convenient solutions that are easy to carry and suitable for consuming the product virtually anywhere.
In this segment, the food trays must combine functionality and presentation. A good solution can facilitate stacking, improve handling, and help ensure that the food reaches the consumer in better condition.
Ecoocel works specifically with various categories of food packaging—including FRESH, FRESH MAP, READY MEALS, and TAKE AWAY—designed to address different needs within the food industry.
In these cases, the geometry of the tray is especially important. A suitable design can help keep each piece in its position, prevent excessive movement, and make better use of the available space.
The technical features that truly matter
Choosing a container based on its appearance can be a good starting point, but it should never be the only criterion. When a tray is to be integrated into a production line, it must meet a number of technical requirements.
Strength, stability, and stackability
A tray may travel many kilometers before reaching the consumer. During this journey, it will be stored, stacked, transported, and handled at various stages.
For this reason, it is worth considering:
- Resistance to impacts and pressure.
- Dimensional stability.
- Stacking capacity.
- Ease of handling.
- Adaptation to the logistics format.
- Behavior during transport.
A tray that performs perfectly at the point of production but deforms during storage is not an efficient solution.
Moisture, fats, and liquids
This is one of the points that requires the most attention when working with food.
Not all products have the same characteristics. Fruit may release moisture, meat may produce exudates, and a prepared dish may contain sauces or fats. Therefore, the packaging must be selected with the actual behavior of the food in mind.
The appropriate solution will depend on the combination of material, design, and closure or sealing system. There is no universal tray that can perform equally well for every type of product.
Heat sealing and automation
In industrial facilities, it is also essential to verify the compatibility of the tray with the production processes.
If the company uses automated lines, the packaging must be capable of being integrated into them effectively. The design should facilitate handling and maintain sufficiently stable dimensions to avoid issues during the process.
Furthermore, in certain applications, heat-sealable trays allow the system to be completed with a closure that protects the product and facilitates its distribution.
Sustainability: looking beyond the material
Discussing sustainable food packaging requires avoiding oversimplifications. The fact that a package is made from plant-based fibers does not automatically mean that all its environmental impacts are identical.
It is necessary to consider the origin of the raw materials, the amount of material used, the manufacturing process, logistics, the performance of the packaging, and, of course, what happens when it reaches the end of its useful life.
Ecoocel integrates ESG criteria into its strategy, noting that sustainability is applied throughout the entire value chain—from product design and industrial processes to logistics and relationships with customers and suppliers. Furthermore, Grupo Tav Food holds certifications such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OK COMPOST, and RETRAY, and it works with suppliers that are certified under standards including BRC, FSC, and IFS.
How to choose the right tray for each product
The decision should always start with a simple question: what does the food actually need?
From that point on, it is advisable to analyze the project in this order:
- Identify the product’s characteristics: weight, moisture content, fat content, temperature, and sensitivity to impact.
- Define how it will be stored: refrigerated, frozen, at room temperature, or using a modified atmosphere.
- Examine the transport and storage that will be carried out.
- Check compatibility with production lines.
- Assess the presentation format required for the product.
- Review the environmental properties and certifications of the solution.
This analysis avoids making a choice based solely on unit price. An apparently inexpensive tray can end up costing more if it leads to more operational issues, complicates transport, or does not fit properly into the packaging line.
Design is also part of the brand experience.
Packaging is one of the first elements a consumer sees. Especially with fresh or prepared products, the tray can influence how the food is perceived even before the package is opened.
A well-designed solution conveys order, cleanliness, and care. It can also make the product easier to see and allow the consumer to handle it with ease.
Therefore, innovation in packaging is not just about changing the material. It also involves examining shapes, dimensions, durability, functionality, and presentation, so that the packaging contributes to the overall value of the product.
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Frequently asked questions about cellulose food trays
Yes, there are solutions designed specifically for food applications, but it must always be verified that the specific product meets the relevant food-contact requirements.
No. Cellulose, recyclability, biodegradability, and compostability are different concepts. It is necessary to examine the characteristics and certifications of each solution.
There are cellulose trays designed for heat-sealing. Compatibility will depend on the specific format and the sealing system used.
There may be specific solutions for this type of product, but the characteristics of the food and the specific properties of the tray must be analyzed before making a selection.
Molded pulp technology allows for the development of various geometries and formats, making it possible to explore solutions tailored to the characteristics of specific products.
It must ensure the performance characteristics required for its intended use, including aspects related to food safety, durability, behavior during packaging and transport, and—where applicable—the necessary environmental or technical certifications.