As sustainability and convenience converge in the global foodservice industry, disposable lunch boxes have emerged as a vital solution for restaurants, caterers, and food delivery platforms. Designed for single-use yet made with eco-conscious materials, these containers are no longer just about packaging—they are about impact. China, a manufacturing powerhouse, continues to lead in producing high-quality, innovative, and biodegradable lunch boxes for both domestic and international markets.
What Are Disposable Lunch Boxes? Types, Materials & Key Features
Disposable lunch boxes refer to single-use containers designed to hold meals for takeaway, catering, or delivery. Their popularity has surged due to growing demand for hygienic, portion-controlled, and eco-friendly packaging solutions.
Types of Disposable Lunch Boxes
Clamshell Boxes: One-piece hinged boxes, ideal for burgers, rice meals, and bento boxes.
Multi-Compartment Trays: Designed to separate entrees, sides, and sauces.
Round Containers with Lids: Often used for noodles, salads, or soups.
Rectangular Meal Prep Boxes: Popular for delivery platforms and portion-controlled diets.
Common Materials Used
Bagasse (Sugarcane Pulp): Compostable, sturdy, oil-resistant, and microwave-safe.
Cornstarch/PLA: Plant-based bioplastics suitable for both hot and cold foods.
Kraft Paper: Recyclable and often lined with PLA or PE for moisture resistance.
PP/PE Plastics: Still used for conventional single-use lunch boxes but declining in popularity due to environmental concerns.
Key Features
Leak-proof design
Heat resistance (some up to 220°C)
Microwave and freezer compatibility
Certified compostable or recyclable options
Customizable with logos and branding
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Top 12 Disposable Lunch Box Suppliers & Manufacturers in China
Here is a curated list of the top manufacturers based on market presence, innovation, production capacity, and sustainability credentials.
Overview Table
| Rank | Company Name | Main Products | Material Type | Core Strengths | Application Scenarios |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bioleader | Bagasse lunch boxes, trays, clamshells | Bagasse (sugarcane) | Certified, export-focused, design-flexible | Takeaway, catering, international B2B |
| 2 | GreenWay Packaging Co., Ltd. | Bento boxes, meal trays | Cornstarch, CPLA | Publicly listed, R&D driven | Retail chains, meal delivery platforms |
| 3 | Zhongshan EcoPack Technology | Clamshells, 2-3 compartment boxes | Bagasse | ISO-certified, large-scale OEM | Supermarkets, global exporters |
| 4 | Shanghai Biodegradable Ltd. | Paper and molded pulp containers | Kraft, Bagasse | Stockholder-owned, sustainable sourcing | Restaurant chains, distributors |
| 5 | EcoLunchBox (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. | Round & rectangular lunch sets | Cornstarch PLA | AI-enabled QC, strong B2B network | School meals, airline catering |
| 6 | Hangzhou Greenhome | Paper lunch boxes, bamboo lids | Kraft, Bamboo fiber | FSC-certified, paper innovation leader | Cafes, food trucks, bakery packaging |
| 7 | Hunan Naturpak Eco Technology | Custom lunch packaging, trays | Bagasse, Rice husk | Patent-holder, regional leader | Eco-retail, OEM orders |
| 8 | Qingdao EcoBalance Co., Ltd. | Soup bowls, lids, takeaway containers | Bagasse, PP-free | SGS approved, scale production | Takeout chains, food delivery |
| 9 | Suzhou Ecolife Products | Kraft clamshells, PLA film trays | Kraft + PLA | Quick turnaround, BRC certified | QSR, snack packaging |
| 10 | Xi’an BioTableware Co., Ltd. | Microwave-safe lunch boxes | Cornstarch, PP-free | Efficient shipping, responsive service | Online retailers, wholesalers |
| 11 | Fujian Green Source Co., Ltd. | Food boxes, tray kits | Bagasse, Bamboo | ISO 22000, vertical factory | Supermarkets, meal-kit services |
| 12 | Yantai EcoSmart Packaging | Sealed edge clamshells, salad boxes | Cornstarch, molded pulp | Innovation-focused, ODM specialist | Salad bars, cloud kitchens |
🥇 Bioleader
Main Products: Bagasse clamshell lunch boxes, compartment trays, and square bowls
Material: Sugarcane bagasse (100% compostable)
Core Strengths:
TÜV Austria OK-Compost certified
High customization (logo embossing, multi-size design)
Dedicated B2B export team
Fast production cycles, scalable for OEM
Location: Xiamen, Fujian Province
Company Size: 120+ staff with integrated production lines
Certifications: BRC, ISO 9001, FDA, LFGB, OK Compost, EN13432
Market Influence: Bioleader® exports to 30+ countries, including major partnerships in Europe, the U.S., and Southeast Asia.
Contact:
Website: www.bioleaderpack.com
Company: Xiamen Bioleader Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd.
Address: No. 39 Xinglong Road, Xiamen, Fujian, China
Contact Person: Mr. Junso Zhang
🥈 GreenWay Packaging Co., Ltd.
Main Products: Compostable bento lunch boxes, heat-sealed trays
Materials: Cornstarch, CPLA, PP-free innovations
Strengths: Publicly traded, 10+ R&D staff, certified by BPI and EN13432
Location: Guangdong Province
Company Size: 350+ employees
Advantages: R&D capabilities, mass volume manufacturing
Drawbacks: Higher MOQ for international buyers
🥉 Zhongshan EcoPack Technology
Main Products: 2-compartment bagasse boxes, square trays
Material: Sugarcane bagasse
Strengths: Large OEM/ODM output, UL & SGS compliant
Location: Zhongshan City
Company Size: 280+ workers
Advantages: Fast molding and die-cutting capacity
Drawbacks: Limited online presence for small orders
Shanghai Biodegradable Ltd.
Main Products: Kraft lunch containers, bagasse sandwich boxes
Material: Kraft paper, bagasse, starch lining
Strengths: Multinational supply experience, sustainable sourcing
Location: Shanghai Free Trade Zone
Company Size: 200 staff
Advantages: Strong quality assurance, raw paper import license
Drawbacks: Less flexible for urgent customizations
EcoLunchBox (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Main Products: Round meal boxes with lids, smoothie sets
Material: PLA, CPLA, modified cornstarch
Strengths: AI-powered QC, large B2B network across APAC
Location: Shenzhen
Company Size: 400+ staff
Advantages: Advanced automation, quick bulk shipping
Drawbacks: Domestic design focus, limited North American reps
Hangzhou Greenhome
Main Products: Paper lunch boxes with bamboo lids, sandwich wraps
Material: FSC kraft, bamboo fiber
Strengths: Clean-label paper tech, grease-resistant coating
Location: Zhejiang Province
Company Size: 130 employees
Advantages: Cost-effective paper innovations
Drawbacks: Few biodegradable certifications outside Asia
Hunan Naturpak Eco Technology
Main Products: Custom lunch packaging, molded trays
Material: Bagasse, rice husk composite
Strengths: 8 national patents, high heat resistance
Location: Changsha, Hunan
Company Size: 160+
Advantages: Regional innovation leader
Drawbacks: Limited English support and export documents
Qingdao EcoBalance Co., Ltd.
Main Products: Bagasse takeaway bowls, clamshells
Material: Sugarcane bagasse, no PFAS
Strengths: SGS-certified, rapid tooling setup
Location: Qingdao, Shandong
Company Size: 90 staff
Advantages: Fast delivery, strong customer service
Drawbacks: Smaller product catalog
Suzhou Ecolife Products
Main Products: Kraft-based boxes with PLA coating
Material: Kraft paper + PLA film
Strengths: BRC food-grade certified, custom embossing
Location: Jiangsu Province
Company Size: 100–150
Advantages: Flexible for niche orders
Drawbacks: Not suited for heavy-duty trays
Xi’an BioTableware Co., Ltd.
Main Products: Microwave-ready lunch boxes, rice trays
Material: Cornstarch blends, PP-free
Strengths: High-temp resistance, compact shipping
Location: Shaanxi Province
Company Size: 120+
Advantages: Ready-to-ship inventory
Drawbacks: Few shape customization options
Industry Insights: Scientific Data & Decomposition Trends
According to a 2024 whitepaper by the Chinese Packaging Association, biodegradable lunch boxes made from sugarcane and cornstarch can decompose in 90 to 120 days under industrial composting conditions, compared to plastic which can persist for 500 years. Additionally, EN13432-certified bagasse products show no toxic residue and meet international compostability standards.
Expert Quote
“As global regulations phase out plastic, demand for certified compostable lunch boxes is expected to grow by 18% annually through 2028,”
— Dr. Meilin Zhou, Packaging Science Institute of China
Case Study: Bioleader’s Bagasse Clamshells in Europe
In 2024, Bioleader’s 3-compartment bagasse lunch box was selected by a leading European supermarket chain to replace black plastic containers. The switch reduced packaging waste by 70%, improved microwave performance, and contributed to a measurable increase in customer satisfaction.
Conclusion
As disposable lunch boxes evolve from mere packaging to eco-innovation, Chinese manufacturers like Bioleader and its peers are shaping the global future of sustainable foodservice. With a wide array of materials, certifications, and customization capabilities, 2025 is the year to choose smarter, greener packaging that works for both business and the planet.
References
Zhou, M. (2024). Trends in Biodegradable Packaging. Packaging Science Institute of China.
Lee, J. (2024). Bagasse vs. Plastic: Lifecycle Analysis. GreenTech Asia.
Wang, F. (2025). Export Dynamics of PLA Products from China. Logistics Journal of Trade.
“Global Compostable Packaging Report 2025.” (2025). ResearchEco Press.
Li, H. (2023). Innovation in Sugarcane Tableware. China Daily Sustainability.
BPI. (2024). Certified Compostable Product List. Biodegradable Products Institute.
EN13432 Guidelines. (2023). European Bioplastics Association.
ISO 22000 Directory. (2025). International Standards Organization.
Zhao, Y. (2024). Case Study: Supermarket Shift to Bagasse. EcoRetail China.
Zhang, J. (2025). Interview with Bioleader CEO. Sustainable Packaging World.
