How to choose the right material for fruit and vegetable preservation packaging? A comparison of the performance and applicable scenarios of PE/CPP/OPP/PET.
Mar 05, 2026
With the continuous improvement of the global fresh food supply chain, fruit and vegetable preservation packaging has become a key link in reducing distribution losses and enhancing product value. Industry data shows that plastic materials account for 61.70% of the global fresh food packaging market, among which flexible plastic packaging, with its advantages of lightweight and strong adaptability to preservation, accounts for 53.78% of revenue and has become the mainstream choice for supermarkets in Europe and the United States and for fresh food exports.As a source factory for fruit, vegetable and food packaging bags with 35 years of production experience, we focus on the research and development and customization of food-grade packaging materials such as PE/CPP/OPP/PET. With mature technology and stable quality, we provide European and American customers with preservation packaging solutions suitable for export scenarios.
I. Core Material Properties and Applicable Scenarios
1. PE (Polyethylene)
①Core Advantages: Excellent flexibility, superior moisture resistance, stable heat-sealing properties, and breathability suitable for the respiratory needs of fruits and vegetables.
②Key Data: Accounts for 48%-55% of the global market share in cling film, making it the preferred material for basic fresh food preservation.
③Applicable Scenarios: Suitable for leafy vegetables, root vegetables, and other fresh produce preservation bags; refrigerated packaging; and general fruit and vegetable outer bags.
④Factory Applications: Commonly used as outer film, balancing protection and cost; suitable for large-volume export orders.
2. CPP (Cast Polypropylene)
①Core Advantages: High transparency, good temperature resistance, stable heat-sealing strength, smooth feel
②Key Characteristics: Wide temperature range, suitable for cold chain and room temperature distribution, resistant to compression and not easily damaged
③Applicable Scenarios: Premium fruit and vegetable packaging, cooked fruit and vegetable products, packaging requiring high transparency for display
④Factory Applications: Commonly used as outer film to enhance product display effects, meeting the display requirements of European and American supermarkets
OPP (Oriented Polypropylene)
①Core Advantages: Good stiffness, strong printability, moderate barrier properties, and excellent cost-performance ratio.
②Key Characteristics: Smooth surface, suitable for color printing and brand logo presentation.
③Applicable Scenarios: Outer bags for fruit and vegetable gift boxes, premium fruit packaging, and distribution packaging requiring brand display.
④Factory Applications: Commonly used as inner film, providing structural support and aesthetics, and adaptable to customized printing needs.
4. PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
①Core Advantages: High barrier properties, strong tensile strength, resistance to high and low temperatures, excellent aroma retention and oxygen barrier effects.
②Key Data: Tensile strength is more than 3 times that of PE, significantly extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables.
③Suitable Scenarios: High-end fruits and vegetables, easily oxidized fruits, long-distance export transportation packaging.
④Factory Applications: Commonly used as an inner film, combined with PE/CPP composites to meet the stringent preservation requirements for export.
5.PA (Nylon)
①Core Advantages: High barrier properties, puncture resistance, and low-temperature resistance, suitable for vacuum and modified atmosphere packaging.
②Applicable Scenarios: Fruits and vegetables requiring vacuum preservation, cold chain long-distance transportation packaging.
③Factory Applications: Commonly used as an inner film to enhance the overall protection and preservation capabilities of composite packaging.
II. Material Selection Recommendations (Export to Europe and America)
①Common Leafy Vegetables / Affordable Fruits and Vegetables: PE outer film + OPP inner film, balancing cost and freshness, suitable for mass distribution.
②Premium Fruits / Supermarket Display: CPP outer film + PET inner film, high transparency display + strong barrier, extending shelf life.
③High-End Fruits and Vegetables / Long-Distance Export: PE/CPP outer film + PA/PET inner film, composite structure for damage resistance, compliance, and stability.
III. Our Advantages
①35 years of experience as a source factory, specializing in fruit and vegetable packaging, with mature technology and stable delivery.
②Using food-grade PE/CPP/OPP/PET/PA raw materials, with full-process production control, our products meet international food contact requirements.
③Supporting customization of size, thickness, printing, and composite structures to meet the preservation needs of different types of fruits and vegetables in Europe and America.
④Focusing on the R&D of flexible plastic preservation packaging, with mature formulas and stable quality, we help customers reduce fruit and vegetable losses during distribution.
Appropriately selected materials and stable quality preservation packaging are crucial for fruits and vegetables to enter the international market. We provide reliable packaging support to European and American fresh food customers with professional material solutions and customized services.
