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 1000 units, with 18 cases per pallet for 18,000 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
- Saucy hot menu items — pasta in sauce, curries, gravy-rich plates, BBQ, stew — the PLA film stops soak-through.
- Catering with mixed wet and dry components — single tray for entrée plus side without compromise.
- Hospital and senior-living trayed meals — reheat-in-place for soft, saucy, or moisture-rich dishes.
- Frozen meal-prep with sauces — freezer-safe lining survives cold storage and thaw.
- Ghost kitchens and delivery brands — 30-minute travel without bottom failure on saucy plates.
- Dressed salads and grain bowls — the lining contains dressing migration during transport.
Five problems this SKU is engineered against
1. 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.
2. Multi-state compliance complexity
Operators running locations across 6+ states cannot stock a different SKU per jurisdiction. This product clears the strictest of the state PFAS and biobased food-packaging rules currently in force, so a single SKU works in California, New York, Washington, and any state that follows.
3. Foam container bans without a true replacement
Polystyrene foam was the workhorse of school cafeterias and quick-service venues for decades. Foam is now banned or restricted in 11 U.S. states and over 250 municipalities. Most “alternatives” are PE-coated paperboard (still plastic, still not compostable) or thicker plastic (still landfill). A plant-based compostable container is the only fully sustainable substitute that survives hot food.
4. 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.
5. 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.
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.
- 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 1000 — 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.
- 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 |
| PFAS status | No added PFAS |
| Lining | PLA bioplastic film |
| Compost timeframe | 2–4 months (commercial); industrial compostable only |
| Quantity per case | 1000 |
| Cases per pallet | 18 (18,000 units per pallet) |
| Case weight | 30.86 lbs |
| SKU | SYR-HC-16L-1000 |
Frequently asked questions
Are these hot cups really PFAS-free?
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.
Does this hot cup hold up under saucy or steaming hot dishes?
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.
Do these hot cups qualify for school district biobased and PFAS-free procurement requirements?
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.
What is the composting timeline for these hot cups?
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.
Do these meet California AB 1200 and New York PFAS food packaging regulations?
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 PLA lining break down in a backyard compost pile?
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 is the case and pallet configuration for these hot cups?
Yes. They stack tightly when empty (1000 per case, 18 cases per pallet for 18,000 units per pallet) and stack safely with a lid when filled. The footprint fits standard foodservice slots and delivery bags.
