At Cullen, performance and sustainability always go hand in hand – and our latest independent test results prove it.
Working with Impact Solutions, an independent UKAS-accredited testing laboratory, our moulded fibre muffin trays were subjected to rigorous environmental temperature testing to assess durability, stability, and performance under real-world bakery conditions.
The goal? To confirm that Cullen’s plastic-free trays can withstand the same high standards demanded by commercial bakeries – from oven to freezer and back again – without losing their structure or integrity.
The Case for Early Planning
When it comes to the festive season, timing isn’t everything — it’s the only thing. Ordering your drinks packaging in September puts you ahead of the crowd, ensuring you avoid the bottlenecks, inflated shipping costs, and supplier shortages that inevitably hit in November and December.
For breweries, distilleries, and drinks retailers, packaging isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s the last line of defence between your product and a disappointed customer. By securing your packaging now, you’re locking in supply, pricing, and peace of mind.
The Test Setup
The testing took place at Impact Solutions’ Technology Centre in Livingston, Scotland, following a demanding temperature profile designed to simulate an end-to-end bakery cycle.
The trays were:
- Heated to 190°C and held for 60 minutes to simulate baking or hot-hold conditions
- Rapidly cooled to -20°C, then stored for 28 days to replicate frozen storage and chilled distribution
- Returned from frozen back to 190°C for a further 60 minutes to simulate reheating or bake-off
Between each stage, samples were inspected for deformation, warping, discolouration, or structural failure. This process goes beyond typical product use — ensuring the trays perform even under extreme test conditions.
The Results
The results confirmed what we expected – Cullen’s trays maintained their shape, strength, and reliability from start to finish.
- High-Temperature Resistance
The trays remained structurally stable after sustained exposure to 190°C, with no signs of buckling, distortion, or softening. Minor surface darkening occurred – a natural response to heat on paper-based materials – but functionality was unaffected. - Cold Storage Durability
After 28 days at -20°C, the trays retained full shape and strength. There were no cracks, splits, or delamination, proving that Cullen’s fibre packaging maintains performance in frozen storage or long-term logistics environments. - Repeat Cycle Stability
Even after reheating to 190°C following a month of frozen storage, the trays showed no warping or weakening. The test confirmed their ability to withstand multiple temperature cycles while remaining consistent and dependable.
What This Means for Bakeries
These findings confirm that Cullen’s moulded fibre trays are more than an eco-friendly alternative – they’re a technically capable, high-performance solution for today’s bakery operations.
For manufacturers and retailers, that means:
- One tray, multiple applications: suitable for baking, freezing, storage, and reheating.
- Stable presentation: consistent cavity shape ensures even bakes and professional appearance.
- Operational efficiency: no material changeovers or dual packaging systems required.
- Sustainability without compromise: proven performance and fully recyclable material.
By combining heat resistance, cold tolerance, and repeat-cycle stability, Cullen’s moulded fibre bakery trays deliver the same dependability expected from plastic or PET – without the environmental cost.
Proving That Fibre Performs
Cullen’s bakery packaging is made in the UK from FSC-approved kraft waste, using a process that turns corrugate offcuts into high-strength, recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable packaging.
Every tray supports a cleaner production cycle, lower emissions, and reduced dependence on imported plastics – all while maintaining the standards bakeries need for quality, safety, and shelf performance.
Whether used for muffins, cupcakes, or custom bakery lines, Cullen’s packaging rises to every occasion – literally.
Want to trial Cullen’s bakery trays for your next product line?
At Cullen, performance and sustainability always go hand in hand – and our latest independent test results prove it.
Working with Impact Solutions, an independent UKAS-accredited testing laboratory, our moulded fibre muffin trays were subjected to rigorous environmental temperature testing to assess durability, stability, and performance under real-world bakery conditions.
The goal? To confirm that Cullen’s plastic-free trays can withstand the same high standards demanded by commercial bakeries – from oven to freezer and back again – without losing their structure or integrity.
The Case for Early Planning
When it comes to the festive season, timing isn’t everything — it’s the only thing. Ordering your drinks packaging in September puts you ahead of the crowd, ensuring you avoid the bottlenecks, inflated shipping costs, and supplier shortages that inevitably hit in November and December.
For breweries, distilleries, and drinks retailers, packaging isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s the last line of defence between your product and a disappointed customer. By securing your packaging now, you’re locking in supply, pricing, and peace of mind.
The Test Setup
The testing took place at Impact Solutions’ Technology Centre in Livingston, Scotland, following a demanding temperature profile designed to simulate an end-to-end bakery cycle.
The trays were:
- Heated to 190°C and held for 60 minutes to simulate baking or hot-hold conditions
- Rapidly cooled to -20°C, then stored for 28 days to replicate frozen storage and chilled distribution
- Returned from frozen back to 190°C for a further 60 minutes to simulate reheating or bake-off
Between each stage, samples were inspected for deformation, warping, discolouration, or structural failure. This process goes beyond typical product use — ensuring the trays perform even under extreme test conditions.
The Results
The results confirmed what we expected – Cullen’s trays maintained their shape, strength, and reliability from start to finish.
- High-Temperature Resistance
The trays remained structurally stable after sustained exposure to 190°C, with no signs of buckling, distortion, or softening. Minor surface darkening occurred – a natural response to heat on paper-based materials – but functionality was unaffected. - Cold Storage Durability
After 28 days at -20°C, the trays retained full shape and strength. There were no cracks, splits, or delamination, proving that Cullen’s fibre packaging maintains performance in frozen storage or long-term logistics environments. - Repeat Cycle Stability
Even after reheating to 190°C following a month of frozen storage, the trays showed no warping or weakening. The test confirmed their ability to withstand multiple temperature cycles while remaining consistent and dependable.
What This Means for Bakeries
These findings confirm that Cullen’s moulded fibre trays are more than an eco-friendly alternative – they’re a technically capable, high-performance solution for today’s bakery operations.
For manufacturers and retailers, that means:
- One tray, multiple applications: suitable for baking, freezing, storage, and reheating.
- Stable presentation: consistent cavity shape ensures even bakes and professional appearance.
- Operational efficiency: no material changeovers or dual packaging systems required.
- Sustainability without compromise: proven performance and fully recyclable material.
By combining heat resistance, cold tolerance, and repeat-cycle stability, Cullen’s moulded fibre bakery trays deliver the same dependability expected from plastic or PET – without the environmental cost.
Proving That Fibre Performs
Cullen’s bakery packaging is made in the UK from FSC-approved kraft waste, using a process that turns corrugate offcuts into high-strength, recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable packaging.
Every tray supports a cleaner production cycle, lower emissions, and reduced dependence on imported plastics – all while maintaining the standards bakeries need for quality, safety, and shelf performance.
Whether used for muffins, cupcakes, or custom bakery lines, Cullen’s packaging rises to every occasion – literally.
