Tray sealers are versatile packaging machines designed to seal a variety of pre-filled trays, enhancing product freshness and extending shelf life. Ideal for applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods industries, these machines offer efficient sealing solutions that can be tailored to meet specific packaging requirements.
In-line – Tray Sealer
In-line – Tray Sealer
In-line – Tray Sealer
In Line – Tray Sealer
A tray sealer applies and seals film across a pre-formed tray, protecting the product and extending its shelf life. Whether a tray sealing machine is specified as a manual unit, a semi-automatic or a fully in-line system depends on output, the number of formats being run and how much of the line is already automated.
Designed for integration into automated lines, these systems deliver repeatable sealing across high volumes while meeting hygiene, traceability and compliance requirements. They can operate as standalone units or as part of a fully integrated packaging system.
Where a producer is weighing a sealed tray against a pack formed on the line, our thermoforming machines cover the alternative approach.
In industrial use, tray sealing machines are built for continuous operation with minimal manual input:
This helps maintain consistent output, reduce labour and minimise variability. Choosing between a semi-automatic and an in-line machine is usually a question of output and floor space rather than seal quality, and our team can talk through where the cut-off sits for your volumes.
ILPRA UK supplies tray sealers across three levels, so the same sealing principle can be applied at very different scales:
Tray sealing helps food manufacturers increase throughput, improve consistency, reduce waste and integrate smoothly into existing or new production lines. It also supports food safety, traceability and more sustainable packaging by working with recyclable materials and helping reduce packaging waste.
It is widely used across bakery, dairy, frozen food, meat, pet food, produce and ready meals, where product protection, shelf life and efficient production are essential. Overall, it provides a reliable, scalable packaging solution that helps maintain product quality while meeting operational, regulatory and environmental demands.
FAQs
Tray Sealer FAQs
Throughput depends on the machine and the pack. A semi-automatic sealer suits lower volumes and frequent format changes, while in-line systems are built for continuous running at much higher rates. Tray size, the number of cavities per cycle and whether you are running MAP or vacuum all affect the figure, so output is best confirmed against your actual pack.
Tray sealing systems are highly versatile and can handle a wide range of tray materials, including plastic, recyclable mono-materials and cardboard-based options, depending on the sealing system. They can also accommodate multiple tray sizes and formats, making them suitable for diverse product ranges within a single production line.
Yes, many industrial tray sealing machines support vacuum skin packaging. This involves removing air and applying a skin-tight film over the product, which improves presentation, extends shelf life and enhances product protection, particularly for premium or high-value food products. The FoodPack 400 Extra Roto is the dedicated skin machine in the range.
Yes. The Paper Shape Line is ILPRA’s complete automated system for forming, lining and preparing paper trays, built for paper-based packaging production rather than adapted from a plastic tray machine. Which fibre trays suit your product depends on the barrier and seal requirements, so it is worth discussing before committing to a format.
Industrial tray sealing machines are built for continuous operation and high reliability. With regular maintenance and servicing, they are designed to achieve high uptime levels in demanding production environments. Service intervals depend on usage and configuration, but preventative maintenance is typically scheduled to minimise downtime and ensure consistent performance.
Modern tray sealing systems can be integrated with monitoring and control systems that track key performance indicators such as output, seal quality and machine efficiency. This data allows operators to optimise settings, identify issues early and maintain consistent performance across the production line.
Get in touch with our team for tailored advice on which packaging solution is right for your products.
