Our systemic approach and close collaboration with our partners in the catering supply chain encourage us to provide concrete and specific solutions to the big challenges facing our sector:
-Reducing food waste
-Increasing operational efficiency and meal quality
-Reducing CO2 emissions and environmental impact
A complete, constantly evolving ecosystem, ranging from flat-bottomed trays to the revolutionary BIOPAP Genius Meal Tray® self-supporting meal trays. Specific solutions for every process, from the transport of hot meals to cold meals and frozen meals, all designed and manufactured in Italy using a supply chain of European and PEFC-certified raw materials.
The product has been developed over more than 20 years of constant innovation and with a visionary approach to sustainability; our BIOPAP® trays are unbreakable at low temperatures and resistant to high temperatures, without deforming. The Easy Open lids make the containers lighter, saving raw materials and weight, and creating a cohesive structure that makes them more rigid, easier to handle and safer during use and service. They are also equipped, on request, with automatic steam release valves to prevent overcooking during regeneration and improve the organoleptic quality of food. Controlled atmosphere solutions naturally extend the shelf life of food preparations and reduce food waste.
BIOPAP® compostable trays are designed and manufactured to respond efficiently and with the highest food safety standards to every type of process and service:
-Transport of hot meals with hot meals
-Transport of cold meals or refrigerated meals
-Combined cycles of refrigerated and hot meals
-Transport of frozen meals or cook & freeze meals
-Combined cycles of frozen meals with hot meals departing from satellite kitchens
All BIOPAP® solutions are “Compostable by design” certified and have the main Italian, European and North American certifications. These unique solutions have been designed thanks to an open partnership with the catering industry, with the aim of improving operational efficiency, reducing CO2 emissions and food waste, and valorising leftovers and scraps directly in anaerobic digestion to produce biogas and compost for use in agriculture. A natural cycle without end.
Let’s move away from the old linear models with a new high economic and environmental impact. With BIOPAP® compostable solutions, we can give a great input to the circular economy in the catering sector, contribute to a more equitable distribution of value along the supply chain, increase food quality and fuel a natural and never-ending virtuous cycle: environment-agriculture-catering-composting-environment.
Our BIOPAP® compostable trays facilitate workflows and work organisation during preparation, make service safer and faster, reduce waste management costs and have a positive impact on the soil, agriculture and the local area.
- High-performance compostable containers and lidding solutions for hot meal delivery or Cook & Hold process
The first step of this Ecosystem for Italy and Spain is the sealable square-bottom tray, the basis for all single portions.
The range of containers and sealing solutions ranges between GN ½ and GN ¼ Gastronom containers for bulk deliveries, along with other shapes and sizes in both multi-portions and individual portions, including the two-compartment containers from the Easy Catering family.
Our patented BIOPAP® LC trays guarantee contact and storage of hot food for 5 hours at 100°C or for 6 hours at 90°C.
Differently from simple serving, the delivery of hot meals must consider the reality of the kitchen processes, filling temperatures, transport and service times.
Furthermore, the following point should be considered:
-filling temperatures prior to sealing must necessarily exceed 85°C;
-maintenance temperatures in isothermal containers/holding ovens, added to transport and service times, range from 3 to 5 hours;
-The containers used for these types of service may NOT meet technical and regulatory requirements:
-Insufficient MOCA
-Fragility with risk of foreign bodies during filling
-Insufficient mechanical resistance at temperature
-Deformation and smell transfer at temperature
BIOPAP® LC containers are the only compostable trays that guarantee technical and regulatory suitability for the most severe filling, transport and storage cycles: no mechanical deformation, no transfer of smell or flavour, and with adequate MOCA declarations supported by global and specific migration tests.
The high performance required by the actual hot meal transport service processes requires technical and design characteristics that only BIOPAP trays can guarantee, as they have been designed to withstand temperatures from -80°C to +175/215°C in complete safety.
BIOPAP® trays are also unbreakable and do not generate product waste or risk contamination from foreign bodies. They remain rigid and undistorted throughout their entire service life, are safe and guaranteed for food contact in the real conditions of hot meal delivery processes.
Together with BIOPAP® trays, we have co-developed a compostable sealing film suitable for the hot-meal delivery cycle, as well as rigid lids that allow the high stacking without deformation, before service or delivery. In this way, a punctual service can be guaranteed even in small satellite kitchens or those with limited space and equipment.
BIOPAP® compostable trays, combined with various specific sealing options, are the best solution for innovating collective catering services, revolutionising functionality, efficiency, safety and sustainability.
The characteristics of our BIOPAP® LC trays for collective catering are unique and guarantee full compliance with requirements, as well as maximum functionality in service, while reducing operating times and costs:
-Suitable for direct food contact for up to 5 hours at 100°C or 6 hours at 90°C
-Technical suitability for cold use: unbreakable at cold and room temperatures, with no risk of foreign objects and no product waste
-Technical suitability for hot use: does not lose rigidity or deform at high temperatures
-High stackability with Easy Open lids
-PEFC-certified renewable European raw materials
-CIC, OK Compost Home, BPI compostable certifications
-USDA Biobased certifications
-66% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to PP of the same size and performance
-BIOPAP® production sites with ZERO CO2 emissions
-No pesticides
-No GMOs
-No PFAS
-European supply chain
Do not expose yourself to serious risks of non-compliance or service inefficiencies with product waste or inconvenience for operators and meal users. Check your processes and the suitability of containers and materials very carefully. Our solutions are tested and guaranteed by the world’s leading professional catering operators for the most critical applications: hospitals, maternity wards, nurseries, kindergartens, social catering, as well as airline and corporate catering.
Choose BIOPAP® tray solutions and let’s work together to transform catering services with greater food safety, greater efficiency and greater sustainability.
2. High-performance compostable containers and lidding solutions for cold meal delivery or Cook & Chill food process
For the cook & chill process, BIOPAP® has developed 2 patented solutions:
- BIOPAP COOK & CHILL
- BIOPAP MAP, for modified atmosphere packaging which is illustrated in the specific section of the website. This unique solution is also of extreme interest for the food industry and traiteur meal production centers in department stores.
BIOPAP COOK & CHILL brings the professional catering industry into the realm of sustainability and operational efficiency. It combines efficiency in preparation and delivery processes with cost-effectiveness and a positive environmental impact, particularly in terms of organic waste disposal at the end of service, and its use in agriculture.
BIOPAP COOK & CHILL development focused on integrating and combining container and lid performances that includes:
- Resistance to blast-chillers at temperatures below -35°C
- Resistance to cold storage temperatures (+3-5°C) and relative humidity up to 75% in for up to 5 days after packaging
- Stackability and handling in multi-portion crates
- Regeneration up to 140°C to reduce delivery times
- Compostability and anaerobic digestion of containers and food waste to produce biogas and agriculture compost
The lidding solutions are selected and adapted based on:
- Characteristics of production and service processes
- Conditions of delivery, stacking, and regeneration temperatures with BIOPlus films, BioHT, and Easy-Open lids.
BIOPAP® COOK&CHILL compostable single-portion containers are also the preferred choice to avoid cross contamination and improve effectiveness. The increasing demand of specific dietary requirements, such as gluten-free, halal, vegetarian, and vegan diets, as well as allergies like nuts or dairy are best taken care-off in centralized processes. These meals can be prepared with careful attention to ingredient sourcing, preparation, and cross-contamination prevention, packed and then delivered to satellite kitchens in safe BIOPAP® COOK&CHILL containers.
The BIOPAP® COO&CHILL containers range from GN ½ and GN ¼ Gastronom multi-portion containers along with other shapes and sizes in multi-portion and single-portion, including two-compartment containers from the Easy Catering family.
For the ½ GN multi-portion format, we have developed a specific BIOPAP SI-23 model with a reinforced rolled edge to reinforce the top-sealing flange perimeter.
This innovation ensures high rigidity, even for contents up to 2 kg.
The exclusive CFS (Collaborative Functional Sealing) system provides the combination of container and top seal film with exceptional mechanical rigidity during storage, delivery, regeneration, and service.
BIOPAP SI-23 is the ideal replacement for PP trays and aluminium smooth-wall containers in processes of bulk meal transfer from central kitchens to satellite kitchens, with the added benefit of ensuring complete circularity and a reduction in CO2 emissions by 66%-70% depending on the materials replaced (LCA cradle-to-grave).
Even the replacement of traditional stainless steel GN containers is simplified, easy, and cost-effective. The substitution with fully compostable BIOPAP® SI 23 eliminates the need for costly onsite washing structures in satellite kitchens, with a 95% reduction in transported weight and better ergonomics for service operators (less weight, less noise, fewer strenuous operations).
All BIOPAP® compostable food packaging solutions are designed and industrialized to improve preparation flows, make service faster, easier, and safer, and ensure maximum food safety for users.
3. High-performance compostable containers and lidding solutions for combined processes of Cook&Chill and subsequent centralized regeneration with hot meal delivery and service up to 5h.
Always in collaboration with market leaders and our Research & Development team, we have developed a unique solution in compostable containers.
BIOPAP® COMBINED is a specific version of BIOPAP® compostable containers that guarantees the safe execution of a combined process involving COOK&CHILL followed by COOK&HOLD.
This development addresses the needs of certain global processes and customers, who through the rationalization of satellite kitchens, allow greater operational efficiencies in centralized meal production while combining better kitchen activity planning and infrastructures. Satellite kitchens are not provided with reheating devices. Multi portion and single portion meals are reheated centrally and delivered and served hot in BIOPAP® COMBINED containers.
BIOPAP® COMBINED integrates challenging performances in containers and heat-sealing films that feature:
- Resistance to Blast Chillers at temperatures below -35°C
- Resistance to cold storage temperatures (+3-5°C) and relative humidity up to 75% for up to 5 days after packaging
- Centralized Regeneration up to 120°C
- Resistance to stacking and transport of hot food in thermally insulated boxes to final destinations
- Technological and regulatory compliance to ensure safe contact with food for up to 5 hours at 100°C while maintaining service performance and food quality.
Through R&D and accurate material and container’s design we provide professional caterers with functional and safe solutions allowing the highest food safety and food quality standards though making catering services more efficient.
All BIOPAP® solutions are compostable by design and certified (CIC, OK compost HOME, BPI, USDA BioBased >97%), with no need to separate packaging from food waste at the end of the service.
Please contact our expert technologists to find the most suitable solution for your production processes: with BIOPAP®, you can reduce production costs, improve service speed, increase meal quality, and ensure full biological circularity with a positive impact on the environment and local communities.
4. High-performance compostable containers and lidding solutions for frozen ready meals or Cook & Freeze process
Drivers Towards Cook & Freeze
Cook & Freeze meal preparation processes are growing rapidly and represent a concrete and effective response to the new demands of the foodservice market.
The main drivers supporting its growth include:
• Better production planning
• Greater variety of recipes and menus
• Reduction of waste and food waste
• Optimal use of seasonal ingredients
• Better preservation of nutritional qualities
• Higher and consistent quality standards over time
With over 15 years of experience in Cook & Freeze processes, BIOPAP® has developed specific solutions that transform these drivers into concrete operational benefits, ensuring high performance throughout all stages of preparation, freezing, regeneration, and product end-of-life.
The high-performance compostable Cook & Freeze solutions from BIOPAP® are developed to meet the needs of increasingly automated, efficient processes that focus on the final product’s quality.
In the most consolidated applications with top-seal films, BIOPAP® LC offers compostable solutions that are resistant to both very low temperature freezing and high-temperature re-heating.
The most innovative performances are achieved through the combination of BIOPAP® trays and EASY-OPEN lids, designed specifically for high-speed lines, cryogenic tunnels at ultra-low temperatures, and integrated automated systems, ensuring process continuity, waste reduction, and maximum operational safety, even in the most extreme conditions.
Unique Performance in Deep Freezing
BIOPAP® containers do not become brittle at low temperatures and maintain a cohesive and durable sealing even during deep freezing, especially with the Easy Open Lidding solution.
They are suitable for IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) processes down to –90°C, including liquid nitrogen cryogenic tunnels, allowing optimal crystal formation without damaging the food’s cell membranes.
This translates into:
• Increased process speed
• Reduced freezing times
• Higher food quality
• No risk of foreign bodies during automatic handling
• Drastic reduction of waste due to damage during production line processing and packaging
Superior Organoleptic Quality in Preparation and Regeneration
At high temperatures, BIOPAP® containers maintain structural stability and do not soften. Regeneration temperatures range from +145°C to over 185°C depending on the processes and container sizes.
The absence of enzymatic interactions with vegetables and fruits allows the preservation of natural colors, taste, and nutritional values, significantly improving the quality of the finished dish.
During regeneration, uniform thermal exchange ensures foods are evenly reheated, avoiding over or under-cooking zones.
The integrated vent valves in the EASY OPEN lids prevent overcooking, enhancing texture, consistency, and sensory yield.
Food Experience, Safety, and Communication
The combination with EASY-OPEN lids guarantees:
• Safe and controlled opening
• High rigidity even during regeneration
• Easy handling for both operators and consumers
Additionally, EASY OPEN systems can integrate differentiated opening functions in multi-compartment containers, allowing the differentiation of regeneration effects, such as Crisp and Soft-Aroma effects separately.
The permanent reinforcing rim ensures stability even after opening and provides optimal food presentation.
The external printability, using only compostable inks certified for Home Compost, enables effective communication of information, values, and sustainability of the product, both on the lids and the containers.
Full Circularity and Emission Reduction
BIOPAP® solutions are compostable by design and certified (CIC, OK compost HOME, BPI, USDA BioBased >97%), with no need to separate packaging from food waste.
Compared to conventional materials, LCA cradle-to-grave analyses highlight:
• –66% CO₂ emissions compared to PP/CPET
• –70% CO₂ emissions compared to aluminium
Furthermore, the joint disposal of BIOPAP® compostable containers and food waste allows the conversion of waste into resources, transforming it into biogas and compost, thus contributing to a circular economy model with concrete benefits for local territories, agriculture, and disposal cost savings.
A Solution for the Future, Already Ready Today for New Service Models
Thanks to high technical performance and full integration with automated processes, including frozen delivery, BIOPAP® solutions are ideal for evolving applications such as:
• Collective and social catering
• Hospitals and nursing homes
• Delivery and vending
• Coworking spaces, campuses, and hotels
A complete range of containers, lids, and sealing films, from individual portions for in-flight catering to two-compartment containers with variable fill volumes for gastronorm GN ½ formats.
BIOPAP® thus supports the transition to more efficient, sustainable, and quality-oriented food models, transforming packaging into a true enabler of innovation while reducing operational and production costs.
CONCLUSION
The Professional catering, food service, and food industry sectors are undergoing profound transformations, which require advanced and reliable packaging solutions to meet key long-term objectives:
• Reduction of food waste
• Better production planning
• Increased shelf life without compromising quality
• Improved consumer sensory experience (color, aroma, texture)
• Greater attention to the nutritional quality of food
• Overall reduction of carbon footprints for menus, packaging, and processes
• Expansion of clientele and diversification of distribution channels
• More efficient, secure, and sustainable work organization
In this scenario, packaging is no longer just a container but becomes a strategic factor for business competitiveness, sustainability, and efficiency.
This is the essence of BIOPAP® as we develop food packaging solutions based on a systemic approach that considers the entire value cycle: from food preparation to industrial processes, from the quality of the final experience to waste management and its impact on the environment and society.
Our innovations arise from the integration of materials, design, converting technologies, and production processes, aiming at achieving maximum functional performances while minimizing resources use. This approach enables us to improve food quality, increase operational efficiency, reduce food waste, and optimize costs throughout the entire supply chain.
