CPET 2-Compartment Airline Lunch Box

Introduction

In modern airline catering, ensuring that meals remain visually appealing and structurally stable during freezing, storage, reheating, and inflight service is a significant challenge. Multi-component meals—such as entrées paired with vegetables, rice, salads, or side dishes—require packaging that can maintain separation and prevent flavor mixing. The CT-2116H38-2C CPET tray is specifically designed to address this need.

With dimensions of 210 × 162 × 38 mm and a lightweight 30 g build, this two-compartment tray provides the ideal balance between functionality, durability, thermal resistance, and operational efficiency. Its design is compatible with global airline catering standards, automated tray-sealing equipment, and high-volume industrial kitchens. The dual-compartment configuration is engineered to support both portion control and premium food presentation, making it ideal not only for airlines but also for railway services, frozen meal manufacturers, cruise catering, and institutional kitchens.

CPET (Crystallized Polyethylene Terephthalate) is recognized as one of the top materials for ready-meal packaging due to its ability to withstand extreme temperature changes, maintain structural integrity, and ensure high food-safety assurance. The CT-2116H38-2C tray makes full use of these benefits while enhancing meal differentiation through its thoughtfully engineered two-compartment layout.

---

Technical Specifications

• Model: CT-2116H38-2C

• Material: CPET

• Structure: Two compartments

• Size: 210 × 162 × 38 mm

• Weight: 30 g

• Temperature Resistance: –40°C to +220°C

• Color Options: Black / White

---

Outstanding Temperature Performance

Just like the single-compartment model, the CT-2116H38-2C tray delivers excellent thermal stability, performing reliably from –40°C to +220°C. This wide temperature tolerance enables seamless transitions across the demanding operational steps of airline and ready-meal catering:

1. Industrial cooking

2. Rapid chilling or freezing

3. Cold-chain warehousing

4. Transport under low-temperature conditions

5. Reheating in steam or convection ovens

6. Final inflight presentation

The tray does not warp, crack, or emit odors during freezing or reheating. Even with two compartments—where structural distortion is more likely in lower-grade plastics—CPET maintains rigidity and ensures that food items remain separate and visually appealing.

Its oven-safe and microwave-safe performance makes it suitable for all major reheating systems used by international catering companies.

---

Food Safety and Material Integrity

The CT-2116H38-2C tray is produced from certified food-grade CPET resin and meets rigorous international food-contact regulations. It is:

• BPA-free

• Non-toxic

• Odorless

• Chemically stable at high temperatures

The semi-crystalline structure of CPET ensures excellent resistance to oils, acidic ingredients, tomato-based sauces, curries, gravies, and high-fat foods. This prevents staining, flavor migration, and structural degradation. The dual-compartment walls are engineered to resist collapse even under hot and heavy meals.

This makes the tray ideal for flights, frozen entrées, and meals requiring long storage periods between preparation and consumption.

---

High Barrier Performance for Longer Shelf Life

The CT-2116H38-2C features strong barrier properties that protect against oxygen, moisture, and external contaminants. These characteristics are vital for meals that undergo extended storage, long-haul logistics, or modified atmosphere packaging (MAP).

The tray is compatible with:

• Standard heat-seal films

• Aluminum foil lids

• Rigid CPET lids

• MAP sealing systems

This ensures the tray maintains food freshness, reduces contamination risks, and supports stacking in airline service carts and cold-storage racks without leakage or deformation.

---

Designed for Airline Catering Operations

The tray’s dimensions make it fully compatible with global inflight meal service systems.

Key operational advantages:

1. Perfect fit with automated sealing machines

The tray ensures stable sealing results, reducing sealing errors and downtime.

2. Dual-compartment integrity under stacking pressure

CPET provides stronger rigidity than PP, helping the trays withstand stacking loads inside trolleys and cold-rooms.

3. Leak-resistant for sauced or moist foods

Both compartments maintain structural shape, reducing the risk of liquid migration and cross-contamination.

4. Lightweight for cost savings

At only 30 g, the tray supports airline fuel-efficiency goals and reduces logistics costs.

---

Enhanced Food Presentation

Food presentation plays a crucial role in passenger satisfaction. The CT-2116H38-2C supports:

• Clear separation between entrée and sides

• Improved visual differentiation

• Premium plating aesthetics after reheating

• Even heat distribution for hot meals

• Stylish black or white color options

Dual compartments help maintain textures and prevent mixing of flavors, which is essential for multi-component meals commonly served on international flights.

---

Applications Across Multiple Foodservice Industries

Although designed for airlines, the tray is widely used in:

1. Railway Catering

Ideal for pre-prepared meals requiring reheating and vibration-resistant packaging.

2. Frozen Ready Meals

Supports long-term frozen storage with excellent compartment stability.

3. Central Kitchens & Institutional Catering

Schools, military facilities, hospitals, and corporate canteens benefit from reliable portion separation.

4. Cruise Lines & Marine Catering

Meals onboard ships often follow workflows similar to airlines, making CPET trays an excellent fit.

---

Customization Options

The CT-2116H38-2C supports a range of customizations:

• Embossed airline or brand logos

• Dual-compartment layout adjustments

• Custom color options

• Coordinated sealing films and lids

• Carton packaging adapted to automated lines

This ensures full alignment with branding, logistics, and operational needs.

---

Why CPET Is the Best Material for Multi-Compartment Meal Trays

Compared with PP, PS, and aluminum, CPET provides:

✔ Heat resistance up to 220°C
✔ Strong barrier properties
✔ Superior rigidity even with compartment dividers
✔ Recyclability in many regions
✔ Clean, premium food appearance after reheating
✔ Compliance with global food-contact standards

---

FAQ

1. Is the CT-2116H38-2C tray oven-safe?

Yes. It is safe for convection and steam ovens up to 220°C.

2. Can the tray be used for frozen storage?

Yes. It performs well at –40°C and is ideal for frozen meals.

3. What sealing options does it support?

Heat-seal films, aluminum lids, or rigid CPET lids.

4. Is the tray recyclable?

In many regions, CPET is accepted in recycling systems.

5. What industries commonly use this tray?

Airlines, railways, frozen meal producers, hospitals, cruise lines, and institutional kitchens.

---