Kraft Paper 16 oz Hot Cups — Why the Material Matters
Plant-based bioplastic offers a true alternative to fossil-fuel polymers in single-use foodservice. That is the body of these 16 oz hot cups. The interior is lined with a thin PLA bioplastic film — itself plant-based, made from corn or sugarcane starch — to provide a grease and liquid barrier without resorting to PFAS chemistry. The result is a foodservice container that does not compromise on heat, structure, or end-of-life recovery.
Each case ships 600 units, with 24 cases per pallet for 14,400 units per pallet — sized for catering, school dining, hospital foodservice, hotel banquets, and operators transitioning out of foam.
Where this container earns its place on the line
- Catering and event foodservice — single-portion service for boxed lunches, banquet plating, or buffet line setup.
- Quick-service restaurants and cafes — single-portion entrées, sides, salads, fruit cups, parfaits.
- K-12 cafeterias and university dining — meets PFAS-free procurement requirements many state school systems now mandate.
- Hospital and senior-living foodservice — microwave-safe so kitchen staff can plate, deliver, and reheat in the same container.
- Meal-prep and ready-meal brands — freezer safe; meal-prep ready.
- Hotels and corporate dining — clean visual presentation for breakfast assemblies, mid-meeting service, lunch buffets.
Five problems this SKU is engineered against
1. Plastic-in-the-microwave concerns
Foodservice teams reheating prepared meals don’t want plastic film against hot food. This container is microwave-safe at reheat temperatures and plant-based PLA replaces conventional PE film for the grease barrier.
2. Compost contamination at the back of house
Both the fiber body and the PLA lining are certified industrial compostable — the container composts as a single unit, no separation required at end of life.
3. Soak-through on saucy or wet menu items
The PLA film on the inside surface stops liquid migration so the bottom stays dry through service, transport, and reheat — for sauced pasta, curries, BBQ, dressed salads, and stew.
4. Procurement asking for documentation
Buyers with sustainability mandates need certificates: USDA Biobased, ASTM D-6400, FDA food contact, NSF Certified Compostable, TÜV AUSTRIA. All applicable certifications are listed below; lab/cert documents are available on request for B2B accounts.
5. PFAS food-packaging laws tightening every year
California AB 1200, AB 1201, New York’s Hazardous Packaging Act, and parallel laws in Washington, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Hawaii ban intentionally added PFAS in food packaging. These do not contain added PFAS at any stage of manufacture.
Build, materials, and operator features
- No added PFAS — meets every U.S. state PFAS food-packaging law as of 2026.
- PLA bioplastic lining — plant-based film bonded to the food contact surface for grease and liquid barrier.
- Kraft paper construction — plant-based material chosen for this application.
- Hot food safe to 200°F — soups, stews, hot pastas, curries, casseroles, baked dishes.
- Microwave safe at reheat temperatures — reheat without transferring.
- Freezer safe — does not embrittle below 0°F; meal-prep ready.
- Liquid and grease resistant — PLA film barrier on top of naturally oil-resistant fiber.
- Composts in 2–4 months in a commercial composting facility (industrial compostable).
- Case of 600 — sized for catering, school dining, and operator-scale foodservice.
- Gluten-free and allergen-friendly material.
- Clean visual presentation for branded retail or foodservice.
Compliance, compostability, and food-contact certificates
- OK compost INDUSTRIAL (TÜV AUSTRIA) — disintegrates and biodegrades in a commercial composting facility within 12 weeks.
- USDA Certified Biobased Product (U.S. Department of Agriculture) — verified renewable plant content; eligible under federal BioPreferred procurement programs.
- ASTM D-6400 (ASTM International) — meets the U.S. industry standard for industrial compostability.
- FDA Food Contact Compliant (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) — conforms to U.S. Code of Federal Regulations for direct food contact.
- NSF Certified Compostable (NSF International) — independent third-party verification of compostability claims.
Product specifications
| Capacity | 16 oz |
|---|---|
| Material | Kraft paper, with PLA bioplastic lining |
| Color | Natural Fiber |
| Heat tolerance | Up to 200°F |
| Microwave / freezer | Both safe |
| PFAS status | No added PFAS |
| Lining | PLA bioplastic film |
| Compost timeframe | 2–4 months (commercial); industrial compostable only |
| Quantity per case | 600 |
| Cases per pallet | 24 (14,400 units per pallet) |
| Case weight | 28.9 lbs |
| SKU | SYR-HC-16L-600 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum hot-food temperature for this hot cup?
Yes. The body is rated for hot food up to 200°F. The PLA lining is stable up to that temperature in food contact. Hot pastas, curries, soups (with a lid), stews, and baked entrées hold without warping.
How long does the hot cup take to compost?
In a commercial composting facility (ASTM D-6400 conditions), it breaks down in 2 to 4 months. This product is industrial compostable only — it will not meaningfully break down in a backyard compost pile.
Can these hot cups be used in school cafeterias under sustainable-procurement rules?
Yes. They meet PFAS-free, biobased, and compostable procurement requirements many state school systems now mandate: no added PFAS, TÜV AUSTRIA OK compost INDUSTRIAL, USDA Biobased, ASTM D-6400, NSF Certified Compostable. Documentation is available on request.
How many hot cups fit on a pallet?
Yes. They stack tightly when empty (600 per case, 24 cases per pallet for 14,400 units per pallet) and stack safely with a lid when filled. The footprint fits standard foodservice slots and delivery bags.
Can I home compost the PLA-lined hot cup?
No. PLA bioplastic requires the higher temperatures and microbial activity of a commercial composting facility (ASTM D-6400 / TÜV AUSTRIA OK compost INDUSTRIAL conditions). It will not break down meaningfully in a backyard compost pile. For home-compostable options, choose the unlined fiber version.
What’s the difference between fiber and PLA compostable foodservice containers?
PLA is a transparent bio-plastic made from corn or sugarcane starch — ideal for cold cups, dome lids, and clear merchandising. Plant fiber is an opaque molded material made from sugarcane bagasse — more rigid and far more heat-tolerant (220°F vs PLA’s 105°F softening point). For hot food and microwave use, fiber is the correct choice. For cold beverages and clear visibility, PLA is the better fit.
How do I confirm the PFAS-free claim on these hot cups?
Yes. No PFAS chemicals are added at any stage of manufacturing. The grease and liquid barrier is the PLA bioplastic film plus naturally oil-resistant fiber, not PFAS chemistry. They meet PFAS-restriction laws in California, New York, Washington, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, Hawaii, and other states banning intentionally-added PFAS in food packaging. Lab test reports are available on request for B2B accounts.
Which state PFAS food-packaging laws do these hot cups satisfy?
Yes. Because no PFAS is intentionally added, they comply with California AB 1200 / AB 1201, New York’s Hazardous Packaging Act, and parallel laws in Washington, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Hawaii. Lab test reports are available for B2B accounts on request.
Will the hot cup survive reheating in the microwave on the line?
Yes, the hot cup is microwave safe at reheat temperatures. Reheat without transferring to another plate. Avoid using in conventional ovens above the rated heat tolerance or under broilers.
