CPET trays are the trays used for freezer-to-oven ready meals: they go straight from the freezer into a conventional oven or a microwave without warping or failing. For Ballarat’s food manufacturers and meal producers, they are the format that makes a frozen ready-meal range possible. Carewell Group supplies CPET ready meal trays to Ballarat businesses with national distribution.
Key points
- CPET (crystallised PET) withstands both freezer and oven temperatures, typically rated to around 220°C.
- It is the standard tray for retail frozen ready meals and airline and institutional catering.
- It is usually opaque, often black, and pairs with heat-seal lidding film or board lids.
- Carewell can meet all your packaging needs in one place. Talk to our team and we will work to your required minimum order quantity.
What CPET is for
CPET is PET that has been crystallised for heat resistance. It holds its shape from freezer temperatures up to oven heat, which makes it the right tray when the consumer will:
- Store the meal frozen
- Reheat it in a conventional oven, or
- Reheat it in a microwave
That covers retail frozen ready meals, meal-subscription boxes, aged-care and hospital catering, and airline meals. For cold meals that are never heated, APET is cheaper and clearer. For microwave-only reheating without oven use, PP is an option.
Choosing a CPET tray
- Compartments: single for a one-dish meal, multi-compartment to keep components separate through freezing and reheating.
- Depth and footprint: match to the portion and your filling line and retail shelf.
- Lidding: heat-seal film for a sealed, tamper-evident retail pack; board or film lids for catering.
- Colour: black is standard for contrast and shelf appeal; other colours are available.
Recycling
CPET is PET-based and recyclable in principle, though acceptance in kerbside systems varies for coloured and food-contaminated trays. A clean tray has the best chance. Check your local guidance and label accordingly.
Where Carewell fits
Carewell Group supplies CPET trays in a range of compartments and sizes, plus APET and PP trays for cold and microwave use, lidding film, and the cartons for distribution, with national distribution into Ballarat. Carewell can meet all your packaging needs in one place. Talk to our team about your meal range and filling line and we will work to your required minimum order quantity. Request a quote and samples or call +61 (02) 8760 1491.
Frequently asked questions
Can CPET trays go from freezer to oven?
Yes. That is what CPET is designed for, typically rated to around 220°C, and it also microwaves.
What is the difference between CPET and APET?
CPET is crystallised for heat resistance and suits freezer-to-oven meals. APET is clear and rigid but for cold and ambient food only.
Why are CPET trays usually black?
For contrast with the food and shelf appeal. Other colours are available.
Are CPET trays recyclable?
PET-based and recyclable in principle; kerbside acceptance varies for coloured and food-contaminated trays. Check local guidance.
Do you deliver to Ballarat?
Yes, with national distribution.
Written by Alif Vasaya, digital and content strategy, Carewell Group. Carewell Group is an Australian packaging, food packaging, tape, industrial safety and 3PL supplier serving Ballarat and all of Australia. Last updated 10 September 2026.