Tray

Depending on the application, trays can be pre-formed, formed directly around the product or integrated into a wider secondary packaging configuration, including cartons, sleeves and display formats. Different tray designs can also incorporate lids, sleeves or other closure solutions to provide additional protection and create the desired pack presentation. 
The choice of material, format and configuration can be tailored to specific product and market requirements, combining secure product positioning with efficient use of packaging materials and flexibility in pack design. IMA technologies support both paperboard and plastic tray packaging, including pvc-free alternatives such as PLA, covering applications from conventional secondary packaging to more complex configurations. 

In pharmaceutical packaging, trays provide additional support and protection for products that require controlled positioning within the pack. They are particularly suited to vials, syringes, cartridges, pens, autoinjectors, ampoules, bottles and medical devices, as well as configurations combining products with accessories or multiple components. Designed to preserve the cleanliness and integrity of the primary containers, sterile Trays enable the safe and controlled transfer of pre-sterilised Ready-To-Use components (such as syringes, pre-capped cartridges and vials) through different manufacturing environments and into aseptic areas.  

Thermoformed plastic trays can be shaped to accommodate products of different shapes and sizes, ensuring stable positioning and preventing glass-to-glass contact. Where tray sealing is required, a dedicated sealing unit can provide uniform sealing pressure while compensating for variations in material thickness. IMA technologies can also process PVC-free plastic materials, including PLA, supporting the adoption of alternative materials for pharmaceutical tray packaging. 

Paperboard trays provide a paper-based alternative for pharmaceutical tray packaging and can be integrated inside cartons to create fully paper-based secondary packaging solutions. Depending on the application, paper trays can be pre-formed and fed into the machine or formed directly in-line, offering flexibility in both packaging configuration and production setup. 

In food packaging, trays provide essential support and protection for products that require controlled positioning within secondary packaging, making them particularly suited for cheese, butter portions, bouillon cubes, confectionery, snack bars and bakery products, sauces and condiments and other food products.  
Designed to preserve product freshness and structural integrity while delivering strong shelf impact, tray packaging solutions utilize paperboard or plastic materials to safely streamline the transition from primary packaging to shelf-ready displays. Modern processing options accommodate diverse secondary styles, including open trays, trays with lids, and sleeve closures, leveraging dedicated models for both vertical pick-and-place loading and high-speed wraparound technology to guarantee fast changeovers, maximum efficiency, and continuous protection across high-throughput production lines. 

In Personal Care, trays can serve different packaging and presentation purposes, from stand-alone shelf-ready formats designed to enhance product visibility at retail, to internal components used to organize and protect smaller products or treatment formats within a secondary package. 
As stand-alone displays, trays can accommodate products such as bottles, jars, tubes, fragrance products and other personal care items, providing an organized and visually appealing presentation while keeping products securely positioned on the shelf. They can be designed in different shapes and configurations to support specific product arrangements and brand presentation requirements. 
When used inside cartons or other secondary packaging, trays can help organize small-format products, treatment products, accessories or multiple components, ensuring stable positioning and preventing products from moving during handling and transport.