Aluminum foil food containers are packaging containers made from aluminum alloy as the base material through cold stamping or thermoforming processes. They are lightweight, heat resistant, and possess high barrier properties, making them widely used in catering, baking, takeout, and household cooking scenarios.
Aluminum foil food containers use food-grade aluminum alloys (such as 8011 and 3003) as the main raw materials. These are processed into aluminum foil jumbo rolls through cold or hot rolling and then formed into packaging products by stamping. The typical thickness ranges from 0.03 to 0.20mm.
Haomei Aluminum, a leading aluminum foil manufacturer, provides a wide range of high-quality aluminum foils for making containers, including steaming trays and baking pans. Known for their durability and versatility, these products usually feature the following characteristics:
- Material: Lightweight and flexible aluminum, often coated on the surface.
- Properties: Excellent thermal conductivity, barrier performance (moisture, oxygen, and light resistance), and good formability.
Food Container Aluminium Foil Alloy Selection
Aluminum alloys for food containers are mainly divided into the 3000 series and 8000 series, each with unique chemical compositions and performance characteristics.
3000
3000 Series Aluminum Alloy
Aluminum-manganese alloy with manganese (Mn) content typically ranging from 1.0–1.5%.
3003 Aluminum Alloy: The most widely used type, offering good formability and strength, suitable for deep-drawing food container lids.
3004 Aluminum Alloy: Provides higher strength and durability, ideal for containers carrying heavy loads or under high stress.
3105 Aluminum Alloy: Mainly used for trays, utensils, and similar applications.
8000
8000 Series Aluminum Alloy
The addition of iron and silicon elements enhances strength and ductility, making it increasingly popular in the food container field.
8011 Aluminum Alloy: Excellent formability, toughness, and corrosion resistance, commonly used for food container lids.
8006 Aluminum Alloy: Tensile strength of 125–135 MPa, with higher cup value and elongation.
8021/8079: Used for specific food packaging requirements.
- 8011 Alloy: Contains small amounts of silicon and iron, offering moderate strength and good ductility. Commonly used for disposable food boxes, baking containers, etc.
- 3003 Alloy: Manganese addition improves corrosion resistance and processability, suitable for containers requiring long-term storage or contact with oily foods.
- 3004 Alloy: Higher strength and excellent corrosion resistance, especially suitable for pre-cooked meals and self-heating foods requiring high sealing and temperature resistance.
Food Container Aluminium Foil Thickness Selection
Thickness ranges for different types of food containers
Packaging Container Thickness Range
- Aluminum foil food box: 0.04–0.2mm
- Tin foil food box: 0.03–0.20mm
- Food packaging foil: 0.006–0.2mm
- Container lids: 0.02–0.055mm
- Beverage can body: 0.2–0.3mm
- Beverage can lid: 0.25–0.35mm
Storage Container Thickness Range
- Storage tank: 0.8–1.5mm
- Storage basket: 0.8–1.5mm
- Refrigerated container: 1–3mm
- Sealed jar: 1–2mm
- Large-capacity grain barrel: 1.5–3mm
- Portable food box: 0.5–1mm
Special-purpose Container Thickness Range
- Airline food container: 0.03–0.15mm (8006 aluminum alloy)
- High-pressure food container: ≥3mm (depending on pressure level)
- Automotive food container: 0.5–2mm (lightweight requirement)
- Microwave-safe container: 0.5–2mm
- Oven-safe container: 1–3mm
- Outdoor portable tableware: 0.8–1.5mm
Best Practices for Thickness Selection
Based on the characteristics of different application scenarios, the following thickness selection recommendations are provided:
| Selection Type | Applicable Scenario | Recommended Thickness | Advantages and Features |
| Economic Option | Disposable food boxes, simple packaging, temporary storage | Disposable food box: 0.03–0.05mm | Lowest cost, meets basic needs, suitable for short-term use |
| Simple packaging: 0.05–0.1mm | |||
| Temporary storage: 0.1–0.3mm | |||
| Standard Option | Regular food boxes, storage containers | Regular food box: 0.1–0.15mm | Balanced performance and cost, suitable for most general applications |
| Storage container: 0.5–1.5mm | |||
| Premium Option | Airline food boxes, special containers | Airline food box: 0.15–0.2mm | Optimal performance, long service life, suitable for high-demand applications |
| Special containers: Customized as required, up to 6mm | |||
| Special Application Recommendations | Microwave containers, oven containers, refrigerated containers, pressure containers | Microwave container: 0.5–2mm | Designed to meet special environmental requirements, ensuring safety and reliability |
| Oven container: 1–3mm | |||
| Refrigerated container: 1–2mm | |||
| Pressure container: ≥3mm (based on pressure rating) |
Food Container Colored Coated Aluminium Foil
"Food container colored coated aluminum foil" refers to aluminum foil coated with colored paint, suitable for manufacturing food containers. This coating enhances the foil’s appearance and provides additional properties such as higher heat resistance and barrier performance.
Main Features of Colored Coated Aluminum Foil for Food Containers
- Heat Resistance: The coating allows the foil to withstand high temperatures, making it suitable for cooking, baking, and reheating.
- Barrier Performance: The colored coating effectively blocks light, gases, and contaminants, helping to maintain food quality.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Available in a variety of colors, making food containers more visually appealing and beneficial for brand promotion and attracting consumers.
- Recyclability: Aluminum is a recyclable material, and many colored coatings are designed with environmental protection in mind.
Applications
Colored coated aluminum foil is commonly used in the production of:
- Takeout containers: Used in restaurants and food delivery services.
- Baking trays and baking cups: For cupcakes, muffins, and other baked goods.
- Airline meal trays: Used in in-flight catering services.
- Retail packaging: For ready-to-eat meals and snacks.
Using colored coatings not only enhances the visual appeal of these containers but also provides functional advantages such as improved heat conduction and resistance to external factors.
Advantages of Food Container Aluminium Foil
Excellent Thermal Conductivity
- Even Heating: Ideal for ovens, air fryers, and other heat transfer applications, ensuring food heats quickly and evenly.
- High Temperature Resistance: Can withstand very high temperatures (usually up to 230°C or more) without melting or releasing harmful substances like plastics do.
- Suitable for Freezing: Also applicable for refrigerator and freezer use without becoming brittle or cracking at low temperatures.
Outstanding Barrier and Protective Properties
- Strong Barrier: Effectively blocks oxygen, water vapor, and light to prevent food oxidation, moisture, and odor transfer, thereby maintaining freshness and flavor.
- Leak-proof: The integrated structure and reinforced corners provide good leak resistance, suitable for dishes containing sauces or liquids.
Convenience and Practicality
- Disposable: No need for cleaning after use, making it perfect for takeout, parties, and picnics, saving both time and labor.
- Direct Heating: Can be placed directly in ovens for heating, eliminating the need to transfer food to other cookware, providing ease and efficiency.
- Easy to Shape: Can be formed into various shapes and sizes to meet different food packaging requirements.
Environmental Friendliness (Relative)
- Recyclable: Aluminum is a highly valuable recyclable material. Clean aluminum foil containers can be recycled and reused, reducing environmental impact.
- Reduced Water Use: Single-use applications reduce water and detergent consumption during the cleaning process.
Applications of Food Container Aluminium Foil
- Food Delivery: Fast food boxes and meal packaging containers.
- Baking and Cooking: Used for baking cakes, bread, pies, or roasting chicken, fish, etc.
- Airline Meals: Almost all in-flight meals use aluminum foil containers.
- Central Kitchens and Prepared Meals: Used as packaging for pre-prepared foods, facilitating transport, storage, and final heating.
- Home Storage: Suitable for refrigerating or freezing food.
- Large Events: Used in canteens of schools, companies, hospitals, as well as banquets and gatherings.
| Field | Typical Use | Advantages |
| Takeout Packaging | Leak-proof and sealed, maintains food temperature and texture | Lightweight and deformation-resistant |
| Airline Catering | Standardized meal containers | High-pressure sterilizable, compliant with aviation safety standards |
| Home Baking | Baking trays, cake molds | Reusable 3–5 times |
Application Scenarios of Different Aluminum Foil Series in Food Containers
Due to differences in their properties, various aluminum foil series have different focuses in food container applications.
| Alloy Series | Main Application Scenarios | Typical Products | Advantages and Features |
| 3000 Series | Food packaging, food boxes, cookware, beverage cans | Food packaging foil, disposable food boxes, cookware, beverage can bodies | Good formability, corrosion resistance, and non-toxicity |
| 8000 Series | Aluminum foil food boxes, container lids, airline food containers | Aluminum foil food boxes, container lids, airline food containers | Excellent stamping performance, formability, and smooth surface finish |
Cookware and Kitchen Utensils
Mainly made from 3003 aluminum alloy, with excellent corrosion resistance and thermal conductivity, suitable for making pots, pans, and other cookware.
Food Packaging
Mainly made from 8011 and 3003 aluminum alloys, featuring good formability, suitable for making aluminum foil food boxes and packaging materials.
Beverage Containers
Mainly made from 3004 aluminum alloy, with higher strength, suitable for making beverage can bodies that can withstand pressure.
Airline Food Containers
Mainly made from 8006 aluminum alloy, providing wrinkle-free edges and a smooth surface after stamping, ideal for aviation applications.
Precautions for Using Food Container Aluminium Foil
- Avoid prolonged contact with strong acidic or alkaline foods (such as lemon juice and tomato sauce)
- Ensure food is in close contact with the container during heating to prevent local overheating
- Replace if damaged or deformed to avoid bacterial growth