What is Thermoforming?

In thermoforming, pre-extruded plastic sheets or films are heated until they become pliable and are then shaped into a mold using vacuum, compressed air, or mechanical pressure.

This process is used to produce cups, trays, lids, and other thin-walled packaging items with high dimensional accuracy and consistent quality. Typical materials include polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The heated sheet is stretched over or into a mold cavity, then cooled and trimmed to its final shape.

Thermoforming is an extremely efficient and resource-saving process, widely used in food packaging, transport trays, and disposable containers. It offers short cycle times, low tooling costs, and minimal material waste – ideal for high-volume packaging production.