PHA Sauce Cups — Home Compostable, PFAS-Free Condiment Cups
Small-format condiment cups molded from 100% PHA, a bio-based polyester produced by bacterial fermentation of renewable feedstock. Designed for sauces, dressings, dips, and tasting portions in restaurants, catering, and food service operations. The material is home compostable, marine biodegradable, and naturally oil resistant without any fluorinated (PFAS) treatment, so it meets the tightening restrictions on intentionally added PFAS in food contact articles. Heat resistance to 85°C keeps the cup rigid with hot gravy, cheese sauce, or freshly fried condiments.
Key Benefits
- Home compostable — breaks down in a backyard compost bin, no industrial facility required
- Marine biodegradable — certified to decompose in seawater without leaving microplastic residues
- PFAS-free — oil resistance comes from the polymer itself, not a fluorinated coating
- Heat resistant to 85°C, suitable for hot sauces, gravies, and melted cheese
Technical Specifications
| Material | 100% PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoates), bacterial fermentation bio-polyester |
| Sizes | 1 oz (30 ml), 2 oz (60 ml), 4 oz (120 ml) |
| Lid | Matching transparent PHA flat lid, snap-fit seal |
| WallThickness | 0.35-0.55 mm (customizable) |
| HeatResistance | Up to 85°C without deformation |
| PFAS | None — no fluorinated coating or additive |
| OilResistance | Natural grease barrier, no leakage with oil-based sauces |
| Color | Natural translucent, custom colors available |
| Certifications | TÜV OK Compost HOME, BPI, OK biodegradable MARINE, FDA 21 CFR, EU 10/2011 |
| MOQ | 500 kg |
| LeadTime | 15-25 days |
| ShelfLife | 3+ years in cool, dry storage |
PHA vs PLA vs Conventional Plastic Sauce Cups
| Property | PHA Sauce Cups | PLA Cups | PP / PS Plastic Cups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home compostable | Yes — TÜV OK Compost HOME | No — industrial only | No |
| Marine biodegradable | Yes — OK biodegradable MARINE | No | No |
| PFAS-free | Yes, naturally oil resistant | Usually requires coating | Often PFAS treated |
| Heat resistance | 85°C | 50-55°C, softens with hot sauce | 100°C+ |
| Microplastic risk | None — full mineralization | Fragments persist in nature | Persistent microplastics |
| Feedstock | Bacterial fermentation, renewable | Corn / sugarcane | Fossil fuel |
Ordering Information
- Bulk wholesale pricing with volume tiers from 500 kg
- Custom branding: logo embossing, flexographic printing up to 6 colors, private-label packaging
- Free samples for qualified business inquiries, shipped within 3-5 business days
- Standard lead time 15-25 days after order confirmation
- Custom OEM/ODM development cycle 25-35 days
- Export documentation: COA, MSDS, certification copies, customs paperwork
Request a Quotation
Send your specification sheet, target quantity, and delivery port to receive a quotation within 24 hours.
Send InquiryProcessing Capability & Customization
Unlike suppliers who buy resin externally, we control every stage - delivering superior quality at 25% lower cost with faster innovation cycles
Custom Formulation
MFI optimization (0.5-50 g/10min), PHA/PLA ratio tuning, additive packages for your specific application requirements
4 Processing Technologies
Injection molding (50-500g), Blow molding (50ml-20L), Film extrusion (10-100 micron), Thermoforming - one-stop manufacturing
Certification Support
Complete documentation: TÜV Austria OK Compost HOME/INDUSTRIAL, BPI, DIN CERTCO, FDA, EU 10/2011 compliance reports
OEM/ODM Services
Custom dimensions, colors, packaging, branding. Trial orders from 100kg. Development cycle: 2-4 weeks for standard modifications
Technical Parameters We Can Customize
Features & Advantages
- Home compostable — breaks down in a backyard compost bin, no industrial facility required
- Marine biodegradable — certified to decompose in seawater without leaving microplastic residues
- PFAS-free — oil resistance comes from the polymer itself, not a fluorinated coating
- Heat resistant to 85°C, suitable for hot sauces, gravies, and melted cheese
- Rigid walls resist squeezing and stacking deformation during transport
- Snap-fit transparent PHA lid completes a fully compostable cup system
- Organoleptically neutral — does not transfer taste or odor to condiments
- Custom embossed logo and printed sleeve available for branded food service programs
Applications
- Quick service restaurants and fast casual chains for ketchup, mayo, and dressing portions
- Catering and banquet operations for individual sauce service
- Food delivery and meal kit programs requiring leak-resistant condiment portions
- Airline and cruise ship galley service
- Stadium, festival, and concession stand tasting portions
- Retail deli counters and prepared food sections
- Hotel room service and minibar amenity kits
Frequently Asked Questions About PHA Sauce Cups
What is PHA Sauce Cups made of?
PHA Sauce Cups is made from 100% PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoates), a bio-based polyester produced by bacterial fermentation of renewable feedstock. Unlike petroleum-based plastics, PHA is derived from non-food plant sugars using Chinese indigenous bacterial strains. The material is certified by BPI, TUV Austria (OK Compost HOME, OK Compost MARINE), and DIN CERTCO for complete biodegradation in ocean, soil, home compost, and industrial compost environments.
How long does PHA Sauce Cups take to biodegrade?
PHA Sauce Cups biodegrades completely within 6-18 months in home compost. In industrial composting facilities (58°C+), degradation occurs in 3-6 months. In marine environments, complete biodegradation takes 1-3 years. The process produces only CO2, water, and biomass — no microplastics or toxic residues remain.
What certifications does PHA Sauce Cups hold?
PHA Sauce Cups holds TÜV OK Compost HOME, BPI, OK biodegradable MARINE, FDA 21 CFR, EU 10/2011. These certifications verify that the product meets international standards for biodegradability, compostability, and food contact safety. PHApack products are tested per EN 13432, ASTM D6400, ISO 14855, and ASTM D6691 standards by independent laboratories.
What is the minimum order quantity and lead time?
The standard MOQ for PHA Sauce Cups is 500 kg. Lead time is typically 15-25 days after order confirmation. For custom OEM orders with specific dimensions, colors, or branded printing, lead time may extend to 25-35 days. Trial orders from 100kg are available for evaluation.
Can PHA Sauce Cups be customized with our brand logo?
Yes, PHApack provides full OEM/ODM services for PHA Sauce Cups. Customization options include custom dimensions, colors, flexographic printing up to 6 colors, private label packaging, and branded embossing. Our R&D team can also develop custom PHA formulations tailored to your specific application requirements, including MFI optimization and additive packages.
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Get technical consultation, request free samples, or discuss custom formulations for your specific application.Trial orders from 100kg, delivery in 15-25 days.