What Is Food Packaging? Types, Materials and Key Trends

20.01.2026

Much more than a container for your products

Talking about food packaging today is talking about strategy, not just containers. Packaging has gone from being a “necessary evil” to becoming a key element for the competitiveness of any company in the sector: it protects the product, guarantees food safety, communicates brand values and, increasingly, reflects the company’s commitment to sustainability.

In this context, Grupo Tav Food has established itself as one of the leading references in food packaging solutions in Europe, combining innovation, service and a firm commitment to the future of the planet.

What We Mean by Food Packaging Today

Food packaging is the set of solutions designed to contain, protect, preserve and present food throughout the entire value chain: from the production line to the retail shelf or the consumer’s home.

It’s no longer enough for the packaging to just “hold up”. Today, it is expected to provide:

Safety and suitability for food contact.
Preservation performance (modified atmosphere, barrier, chilled or frozen chain, etc.).
Logistical efficiency (stacking, transport, storage).
Visual impact at the point of sale.
And, increasingly, a lower environmental impact throughout its life cycle.

And, increasingly, a lower environmental impact throughout its life cycle.

Key trends in food packaging

The market is moving fast and food packaging is undergoing a major transformation. Some of the most relevant trends include:

Sustainability and circular economy

Brands are looking to reduce plastic, increase recycled content, use renewable materials and make recycling easier. Solutions such as cellulose trays, paper/cardboard or natural fibre packaging are gaining ground over single-use plastics.

Innovation in materials and formats

The combination of materials (RPET, PP, PET/PE, cellulose, aluminium, Tritan, EPS, wood, etc.) makes it possible to create lighter, more resistant packs tailored to each product category: fresh, frozen, ready meals, organic or gourmet.

Safety and certifications

Increasingly strict regulations require working with suppliers that ensure quality and traceability. Certifications such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OK COMPOST and RETRAY, along with BRC, FSC and IFS certified partners, have become the standard for companies that want to stay ahead.

Brand experience

Packaging no longer just protects; it tells a story. Design, feel, the message printed on the pack and even the choice of material all speak about who you are as a brand and how you understand your responsibility towards the environment.

Grupo Tav Food: specialists in sustainable food packaging

Since 2005, Grupo Tav Food has been driving food packaging solutions that combine safety, efficiency and sustainability, becoming a benchmark in the evolution of food packaging in Europe.

Its value proposition rests on three main pillars:

100% personalised approach

Grupo Tav Food understands that every product needs a different solution. You don’t package fresh meat, fruit, ready meals or pastries in the same way. That’s why the team analyses each client’s product, production process and logistics chain before recommending the most suitable food packaging solution.

A wide catalogue and variety of materials

The group offers a full range of packaging products, including:

Heat-sealable and EPS trays.
Vacuum bags and flexible pouches.
Take-away packaging.
Technical films and PVC film.
Bakery containers.
Absorbent pads.
Bottles and other specific formats.

All of this is available in materials such as aluminium, Tritan, RPET, PP, PET/PE, PE, EPS, cellulose, paper and cardboard, allowing the packaging to be tailored to the technical and commercial needs of each project.

Sustainability as a strategic backbone: the Ecoocel brand

Concern for the planet’s future led Grupo Tav Food to create Ecoocel, its own line of packaging made from natural fibres, 100% recyclable and compostable, designed to replace single-use plastic in food packaging for fresh and prepared foods.

Ecoocel proves that it is possible to deliver performance comparable to conventional polymers (resistance, preservation, safety) while at the same time moving towards circular economy models in the food industry.

Comprehensive solutions tailored to your business

We select each format based on your plant’s operational needs and the storage requirements of each food product.

Logistics, service and supply reliability

In the world of food packaging, a supply failure can completely shut down a production line. For this reason, Grupo Tav Food has built a logistics structure capable of delivering orders within 24–48 hours, maintaining permanent stock of high-rotation products and operating from strategic warehouse locations.

This agility, combined with personalised support, means that many companies see Grupo Tav Food not just as a supplier, but as a strategic partner in their day-to-day operations.

How to choose a food packaging partner for your business

If you are reviewing your food packaging system or considering changing suppliers, there are several key criteria you should keep in mind:

Experience and expertise in the food industry: Working with an expert in food packaging reduces risks and speeds up the implementation of new solutions.
Technical expertise and consulting: It's not just about selling products; it's about helping customers choose the optimal packaging for each product, product line, and sales channel.
A genuine commitment to sustainability: Look for evidence—such as certifications, sustainable product lines (like Ecoocel), participation in initiatives like the UN Global Compact’s Sustainable Supplier Training Program, etc.
Reliable supply and robust logistics: The availability of packaging is just as critical as the quality of the product itself.
Long-term vision: Food packaging is evolving rapidly. You need a partner who innovates, develops new solutions, and helps you adapt to future regulations.

Conclusion: from packaging as a cost to food packaging as value

Food packaging has ceased to be a secondary element and has become a lever for competitiveness. It impacts product safety, supply chain efficiency, corporate sustainability and the way consumers perceive your brand.

Choosing a partner such as Grupo Tav Food means relying on a team that has spent nearly two decades promoting innovative, sustainable food packaging solutions, with the capacity to support both large corporations and local producers looking to take a qualitative step forward.

If your company is rethinking its food packaging strategy, now is the time to move from seeing packaging as a cost to seeing it as an investment in value, differentiation and future.