Thermoforming Machine for MAP Trays: 2026 Food Packaging Trends

Published: October 29, 2026

Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) is widely used for packaging products such as fresh meat, poultry, seafood, and other perishable foods. For manufacturers producing plastic food trays for MAP applications, tray design, material selection, and production efficiency are important considerations.

As food packaging manufacturers review their production processes in 2026, automation, material requirements, and packaging performance remain relevant topics. A suitable thermoforming machine for MAP trays can help manufacturers produce plastic trays according to their product specifications and production requirements.

Hengxing Thermoforming Machinery provides thermoforming equipment solutions for plastic food tray manufacturers, including customized production configurations for applications that require additional automated handling processes.

2026 Food Packaging Trends: Automation, Materials and Production Efficiency

In May 2026, GEA published an industry overview identifying sustainability, production efficiency, food safety, and digital connectivity as important trends shaping thermoforming and food packaging lines.

Source: GEA — Shifts in Food Packaging: 4 Trends

These developments are relevant to manufacturers producing plastic trays for modified atmosphere packaging. The required tray design, material structure, forming quality, and downstream packaging process must work together to meet the needs of the final application.

For thermoforming equipment buyers, this means that machine selection should consider more than forming speed alone. Mold design, material compatibility, cutting arrangements, stacking, and additional automation may also affect the production process.

Why Tray Design Matters for MAP Food Packaging

MAP packaging uses a controlled gas atmosphere within a package to help maintain food quality and shelf life under appropriate packaging and storage conditions. The result depends on several factors, including the food product, packaging materials, gas composition, sealing performance, and storage conditions.

For plastic tray manufacturers, the tray itself must be designed according to the intended packaging application.

Important considerations include:

• Tray dimensions and cavity geometry

• Forming depth and flange design

• Plastic sheet material and thickness

• Compatibility with the intended lidding film and sealing process

• Cutting layout and finished tray dimensions

• Requirements for downstream handling and packing

A thermoforming machine produces the tray; gas flushing and sealing are separate packaging operations unless specifically integrated into a complete packaging line.

Customized Thermoforming Solutions for MAP Trays

Different food packaging applications may require different tray designs and production arrangements. A standard machine configuration may not cover every additional handling requirement.

Hengxing has developed a customized thermoforming production solution that incorporates robotic absorbent pad placement into the tray production process.

The customized production sequence includes the following stages:

1. Tray forming

Plastic sheet is heated and formed into the required food tray shape using the selected mold and forming configuration.

2. Robotic absorbent pad placement

After forming, a robot picks up absorbent pads and places them into the newly formed trays.

3. Automatic cutting

The formed trays proceed to the cutting station, where they are separated according to the mold and product layout.

4. Automatic stacking

Finished trays are collected and stacked for subsequent handling or packing.

This customized arrangement brings an additional handling step into a coordinated production sequence. It is particularly relevant to manufacturers whose tray designs require absorbent pads to be placed inside each tray.

The final machine configuration depends on tray dimensions, pad specifications, material properties, mold layout, robot cycle time, and the customer's production requirements.

What to Consider When Choosing a Thermoforming Machine for MAP Trays

1. Tray Design and Mold Configuration

Provide a product drawing, tray sample, or dimensional specifications. These details help determine the appropriate mold layout, cavity arrangement, forming depth, and cutting configuration.

2. Material and Sheet Thickness

The intended plastic material and sheet thickness must be confirmed before selecting the machine configuration. Material suitability should also be assessed against the finished packaging requirements.

3. Additional Automation

Some production processes may require robotic pad placement or other automated handling operations. Buyers should define these requirements early so that the equipment layout can be evaluated accordingly.

4. Cutting and Stacking

Cutting and stacking arrangements should match the finished tray design and required handling process. The appropriate configuration depends on the product and production targets.

5. Downstream MAP Packaging Requirements

Tray forming is only one stage of MAP packaging. Gas flushing, lidding film selection, sealing, and package testing must be evaluated separately or as part of a suitably integrated packaging line.

Packaging Regulations and Material Selection in 2026

The European Commission confirmed that the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) began applying on August 12, 2026, with requirements introduced in stages.

Source: European Commission — New EU Packaging Rules Start to Apply

For manufacturers supplying food packaging to European markets, the choice of material and finished tray design should take account of applicable food-contact, packaging, and market requirements.

Equipment buyers should confirm material specifications and production needs before ordering a thermoforming machine. Selecting a machine does not by itself guarantee that the finished tray complies with all relevant regulations.

Hengxing Thermoforming Machinery for MAP Tray Production

Hengxing Thermoforming Machinery (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. has been manufacturing thermoforming machinery since 1999.

We provide thermoforming equipment solutions for plastic packaging manufacturers, with machine and mold configurations evaluated according to product design, material specifications, and production requirements.

For MAP tray applications, our team can discuss tray forming, customized molds, cutting and stacking arrangements, and additional automation such as robotic absorbent pad placement.

Our objective is to evaluate a suitable production solution based on the customer's actual tray design and process requirements.

Request a Thermoforming Solution for MAP Trays

Are you planning to manufacture plastic food trays for modified atmosphere packaging?

Send us your tray drawing or sample, material type, sheet thickness, required production capacity, and any additional automation requirements.

Our team can evaluate a suitable thermoforming machine and customized production configuration for your project.

Contact Hengxing Thermoforming Machinery

Website: https://www.hxblistermachine.com/

WhatsApp: +86 17304090157

Email: hx18929352295@gmail.com