What to choose?
BEST CHOICE
APET
Why APET for fresh produce?
- Crystal clarity for product visibility
- Excellent toughness — containers won’t crack
- Superior slip properties with customized solutions for different molds
- Jumbo roll capability (up to 1 ton/roll) — reduces material waste and labor costs
SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE
rpet
Why RPET?
- Eco-friendly — reduces carbon footprint through recycling
- Customizable PCR content: 30%-100%
- Controlled clarity to meet customer requirements
- Stable batch-to-batch quality control
- More favorable pricing
Best Sheet Materials for Fresh Produce Packaging: Why APET & RPET Lead the Market
Choosing the right plastic sheet for fruit and vegetable thermoforming trays and clamshells is becoming increasingly important, especially as global retailers push for better product freshness, high clarity, environmental responsibility, and material cost-efficiency. When it comes to fresh produce packaging, APET and RPET sheets stand out as the most reliable and widely used materials—offering the perfect balance of performance, transparency, safety, and sustainability.
At DESU, we specialize in producing APET / RPET thermoforming sheets, including single-sided and double-sided silicone-coated PET sheets, designed specifically for high-speed thermoforming and automated packing lines. This guide will help you understand which material is the best fit for your fruit and vegetable packaging application.
What Makes a Material Suitable for Fruit & Vegetable Thermoforming Trays?
Fresh produce packaging requires a material that meets several performance demands. A suitable sheet material should include:
- ความโปร่งใสสูง for premium product visibility
- ความต้านทานต่อแรงกระแทกที่ดี to protect delicate produce
- Excellent stiffness for clamshell structures
- Reliable sealing performance
- Food-grade safety compliance
- Cost-effective and recyclable
- Compatible with high-speed thermoforming machines
Among all plastic sheet materials available on the market—PP, PS, PLA, PVC, PET—APET and RPET consistently rank as the top two choices for fruits and vegetables-
Performance Comparison: APET vs RPET
| Performance Factors | APET | rpet |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency / Clarity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆(depends on % recycled) |
| ความต้านทานต่อแรงกระแทก | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Thermoforming Stability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Barrier Properties (O₂ / Moisture) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Environmental Sustainability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| ประสิทธิภาพต้นทุน | ⭐⭐⭐☆ ☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Food Contact Safety | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆(consistent after FDA/EU grade recycling) |
When to Choose APET or RPET?
✔ Choose APET sheet rolls if you need:
- Premium transparency
- High-end market positioning
- Rigid clamshells with precise locking
- Hygienic appearance for premium fruits (berries, grapes, cherry tomatoes)
✔ Choose RPET sheet rolls if you need:
- A sustainable packaging solution
- Lower cost
- Large-volume produce packaging
- Compliance with retailer PCR (post-consumer recycled) requirements
ผลไม้ & คู่มือความหนาของแผ่น PET ด้วยความร้อนสำหรับบรรจุภัณฑ์ผัก
Why Silicone-Coated PET Sheets Are Important for Thermoforming Produce Trays？
In high-speed thermoforming lines, PET sheets without surface treatment may suffer from:
- Sticking to molds
- Poor demolding performance
- Surface scratches
- Static dust problems
To solve these issues, DESU offers:
Single-Sided Silicone Coated PET Sheet
- Recommended for standard thermoforming lines
- Prevents sheet sticking
- Reduces mold wear
- Improves smoothness
Double-Sided Silicone Coated PET Sheet
ดีที่สุดสำหรับ:
- High-speed automatic thermoforming machines
- Complex clamshell structures
- Precision hinges and locking tabs
Benefits of Silicone Coating:
- Better mold release
- Higher production efficiency
- Lower defect rate
- More consistent thickness distribution
- Smooth surface finish
- Prevents film sticking during stacking
Whether you choose APET or RPET, silicone coating can significantly improve manufacturing performance.
When selecting sheet materials for fruit and vegetable thermoforming trays and clamshells, APET and RPET are the industry’s most reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective choices. Their clarity, mechanical strength, safety, and recyclability make them ideal for modern fresh produce packaging.
If you require even smoother production, single-sided or double-sided silicone-coated PET sheets can greatly improve efficiency and forming quality.
PET Food Grade (Single/Double-sided Silicone Coated)
| ข้อมูลจำเพาะ | สัตว์เลี้ยงด้วยน้ำมันซิลิโคน | สัตว์เลี้ยงต่อต้านบล็อก |
| สี | สีใด ๆ ที่กำหนดเอง | สีใด ๆ ที่กำหนดเอง |
| วัสดุ | APET / R-PET | APET / R-PET |
| การรักษาพื้นผิว | เคลือบซิลิกอน | ไม่ใช่ซิลิกอน / ฝังตัว |
| ความกว้าง | 250-1400 （mm） | 250-1400 （mm） |
| ความหนา | 0.18-1.7 (มม.) | 0.18-1.7 (มม.) |
| ความหนาแน่น | 1.34g / cm³ | 1.34g / cm³ |
A Comprehensive Guide to Dual-Coated Silicone
Q1: What is the key to preventing silicone adhesion in dual-coated PET sheets?
A: The key lies in precise coating processes, proper silicone selection, and optimized storage conditions. At DESU Plastic, our PET coating sheet solutions ensure perfect silicone application for superior performance.
Q2: How does coating process control affect performance?
A: Coating uniformity is crucial. DESU Plastic employs advanced roller coating technology to achieve consistent thickness distribution, preventing local variations that cause silicone residue or uneven film layers. Our PET thermoforming sheet products feature precisely controlled coating amounts adapted to material thickness and mold complexity.
Q3: What silicone types work best for PET sheets?
A: We recommend low-surface-energy silicones like polydimethylsiloxane. DESU’s PET food packaging sheet series utilizes thermally stable silicones that maintain lubricating film integrity within 120℃-180℃ thermoforming ranges.
Q4: How important are storage and environmental factors?
A: Critical. DESU Plastic’s PET transparent sheet products require storage away from high temperatures (>180℃) and humidity to prevent silicone emulsion breakdown. Chemical exposure protection is equally important to maintain silicone molecular structure.
Q5: What surface treatments enhance performance?
A: DESU Plastic incorporates:
Anti-fog coatings: Silicone emulsion films inhibit moisture condensation
Anti-static treatments: Special coatings reduce electrostatic adhesion between stacked sheets
These features make our PET coating sheet ideal for demanding applications.Q6: How to resolve silicone migration issues?
A: DESU Plastic recommends:
Reducing thermoforming temperatures to 120-130℃
Using migration inhibitors like silane coupling agents
Selecting low-migration silicone types (organosilicone-modified polyethers)
Our PET thermoforming sheet products feature optimized coating thickness (0.01-0.02mm) to prevent excess silicone.Q7: What mold treatments are recommended?
A: DESU Plastic advises:
Regular mold cleaning with acetone/alcohol
Fluorocarbon coating application for enhanced release
Extended cooling times for proper silicone curing
Immediate compressed air cleaning after thermoformingQ8: Why Choose DESU Plastic?
A: Our dual-coated silicone PET transparent sheet solutions offer:
✓ Precision coating technology
✓ Temperature-resistant formulations
✓ Migration-controlled compositions
✓ Comprehensive technical support
Why DESU PET Sheets Are Trusted by Global Packaging Manufacturers
At DESU, we focus exclusively on high-performance thermoforming sheet materials. Our advantages include:
- ISO, FDA, HACCP food-contact certifications
- Customized sheet formulations for different applications
- Stable supply capability for global OEM factories
- Precise thickness and color control
- ความชัดเจนของแสงสูง
- Zero-crystal-point APET technology
- Large-scale RPET production capacity
Whether you operate large-scale thermoforming lines or smaller production units, our sheets provide stable and reliable performance for fruit and vegetable packaging.
