Choosing the Right Packaging Film: PE vs. PVC for Tray Overwrappers
When it comes to tray overwrapping, the type of film you choose can make or break your packaging process — affecting sustainability, performance, and product appeal. Polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are two of the most common films used in food packaging, but they’re far from interchangeable. At Omori, we’ve engineered our systems to adapt to both — with innovations that make PE film a stronger contender than ever before.
The Case for PVC: The Classic Performer
PVC film has long been favored, and it still is, for good reason. But it’s not without its drawbacks.
Advantages of PVC Film:
- High Clarity & Shelf Appeal: PVC delivers a glossy, transparent finish that makes food products stand out on the shelf.
- Memory & Shrinkability: It forms tightly around trays and maintains its shape, which helps preserve product integrity and presentation.
- Strong Cling & Seal: Its ability to stretch and grip the tray provides excellent wrapping consistency, especially at high speeds.
Drawbacks of PVC Film:
- Environmental Concerns: PVC is less environmentally friendly — it’s difficult to recycle and releases harmful byproducts during production and disposal.
- Regulatory Scrutiny: Increased regulations around chlorine-based plastics are pressuring manufacturers to look for alternatives.
- Limited Consumer Favorability: As consumer demand for eco-friendly packaging grows, PVC is becoming a less marketable option for many brands.
PE Film: The Recyclable Contender
PE film is rapidly becoming the film of choice for brands looking to reduce their environmental impact. Historically, though, PE film has had issues.
Advantages of PE Film:
- Recyclable & Safer: PE film is widely recyclable and doesn’t release the harmful compounds associated with PVC, making it a more environmentally responsible choice.
- Regulatory Friendly: PE meets growing global packaging regulations focused on recyclability and chemical safety.
- Lower Carbon Footprint: Its production and disposal processes are cleaner and less toxic.
Drawbacks of PE Film:
- Performance Challenges: PE doesn’t naturally cling, stretch, or conform as well as PVC, which can lead to looser wraps or compromised presentation if not paired with the right equipment.
- Film Memory: PE lacks the “snap-back” of PVC, so achieving a tight, shelf-ready finish requires specialized heat and pressure.
Omori’s Heat Tunnel Machine: Bridging the Performance Gaps
Here’s where Omori makes the difference. Our heat tunnel innovation transforms how PE film performs — enhancing its ability to stretch, conform, and seal with precision. The result? A PE-wrapped tray that rivals the look and feel of traditional PVC packaging, without the environmental trade-offs.
Our heat tunnel machine allows food manufacturers to make the switch to PE without sacrificing efficiency or shelf appeal. You get the performance you need — and the recyclability to meet today’s market demands.
Future-Proof Your Packaging
Consumer preferences and regulations are evolving. Omori’s commitment to film flexibility ensures your operation stays ready — whether you’re sticking with PVC for now or making a strategic move toward PE.
Thinking about switching to PE? Let’s talk. Omori has the technology to make it work — without compromise.
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August 2026
Most food processors and manufacturers rely on a simple manual step for padding trays before packaging meats, proteins, fruits, vegetables, etc. While this process appears straightforward, it introduces hidden costs that often go unnoticed across the packaging operation
As production demands increase and consistency becomes more critical, many processors are discovering that manual tray preparation can quietly become a bottleneck, when a more efficient pre-padded tray solution is available.
Understanding the operational impact of this step helps processors identify opportunities to improve efficiency and packaging consistency.
Labor Demands in Manual Tray Padding
Manually inserting absorbent pads into trays requires dedicated labor. Employees must handle trays, align pads correctly, and maintain pace with upstream product flow. In high volume operations this task often requires multiple employees across different shifts making sure inventory levels are maintained.
This dependency on labor, especially for a task that does not directly add value to the product, is the biggest inefficiency and contributor to unnecessary cost.
Facilities that rely on manual tray padding may frequently experience:
- increased labor costs
- difficulty maintaining staffing levels
- slower line preparation
- inconsistent workflow
When staffing levels fluctuate, tray preparation can quickly fall behind production demands. This forces downstream packaging equipment to slow down or stop while operators catch up.
Inconsistent Pad Placement
Another challenge with manual tray padding is consistency. Pads may shift, fold, or sit slightly off-center depending on how quickly trays are assembled.
Even minor inconsistencies can impact the final package quality. Improper positioning may lead to wrinkled film, poor absorption performance, or compromised product presentation during handling and transport.
Common issues include
- uneven pad alignment
- wrinkled film during wrapping
- inconsistent product presentation
- increased package rejects
Consistency is critical in food packaging. Small inconsistencies upstream can lead to quality issues further down the line.
Production Slowdowns at the Packaging Line
Efficient Packaging lines depend on smooth upstream preparation. When trays are not ready as when product arrives, the entire operation is disrupted.
These delays often occur during peak production periods. when high-speed equipment is most sensitive to interruptions.
Operations relying on manual tray padding may encounter:
- packaging line interruptions
- reduced throughput
- increased operator intervention
- higher downtime
While individual delays may last only seconds, repeated interruptions throughout a shift can significantly impact total production output.
The Efficiency of Pre-Padded Trays
Complex packaging lines often rely heavily on operator expertise to manage different product formats. When settings change between shifts or operators interpret adjustments differently, packaging performance becomes inconsistent.
Flexible tray lidding technology reduces this dependency by standardizing the sealing process.
Automated controls and repeatable machine settings allow operators to select the appropriate configuration for each SKU while maintaining consistent performance. This approach helps eliminate the trial-and-error adjustments that often accompany frequent format changes.
Building Packaging Flexibility in the Line
Modern food processing requires packaging systems that can evolve with product portfolios. Equipment that supports only a narrow range of formats quickly becomes a limitation as product offerings expand.
Flexible tray lidding machines provide processors with the ability to introduce new SKUs without redesigning the entire packaging line. By supporting multiple tray types and sealing materials, the equipment allows production teams to adapt quickly to market demands.
Omori’s Lid Sealer by Frimaq is designed with this flexibility in mind. The system supports rapid format changes while maintaining stable sealing performance and consistent packaging quality.
Packaging Technology That Keeps Pace with your Product Line
SKU complexity is unlikely to decrease. As consumer preferences continue to evolve, processors must manage more packaging formats while maintaining operational efficiency.
Tray lidding technology that supports flexibility allows manufacturers to respond to these changes without sacrificing line performance.
Omori North America provides the Lid Sealer by Frimaq, a tray lidding solution engineered to handle diverse packaging formats while maintaining seal integrity and production speed. By combining flexibility and machine design, we help processors manage growing product portfolios with confidence.
Interested in exploring how Omori can help your operation manage SKU complexity while maintaining reliable packaging performance? Fill out the form below and our team will connect with you.