Choosing a pack
Heat-seal punnet or clamshell: which is right for my produce?
Short answer
Choose a clamshell if you have no sealing machine and want a lid shoppers can reopen; choose a heat-seal punnet if your line has a tray sealer and you want the lightest, tamper-evident pack. For 250 g, AVI's A-30 / 45 heat-seal punnet weighs 7 g against 9 g for the PNG 250 / 75 clamshell.
Part of the guides: Blueberry and berry packaging guide, Cherry tomato packaging guide, Pack types explained: punnets, clamshells, trays and more and Strawberry packaging guide
Side by side: same fill, two closures
| Pack | Type | Size (L × W × H) | Empty weight | Holds | Per carton | Enquiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PNG 250 / 75 | Hinged lid | 128 × 94 × 75 mm | 9 g | 250 g | 1,225 | |
| A-30 / 45 | Flat lid heat-sealed to base | 145 × 120 × 45 mm | 7 g | 250 g, 250 g heat-seal | 2,100 | |
| PNG 501 / 85 | Hinged lid | 190 × 115 × 85 mm | 16 g | 500 g | 760 / 750 | |
| A-30 / 75 | Flat lid heat-sealed to base | 145 × 120 × 75 mm | 9 g | 500 g | 1,800 / 1,775 / 1,680 |
All packs are rPET. Figures from AVI's catalogue; tolerances and fill depend on the produce, so samples are the final check.
Compared
| Hinged clamshell | Heat-seal punnet | |
|---|---|---|
| Closure | Lid hinged to the base, snaps shut | Flat film sealed onto the rim |
| Equipment | None | Tray-sealing machine |
| Tamper evidence | Add a label or band | Built in once sealed |
| Shopper reopens | Yes, re-closes | No, film is peeled |
| Pack weight (250 g fill) | 9 g (PNG 250 / 75) | 7 g (A-30 / 45) |
| Printing | Labels | Printed lidding film |
Many retailers in Europe ask for sealed punnets for berries and cherry tomatoes; clamshells remain common for grapes and in the US.