PET & PP Cold Cups
Crystal-clear PET for premium cold-drink presentation; heat-sealable PP for bubble tea — both food-grade, BPA-free, and available with custom printing.
MOQ from 10,000 pcs/size · Free samples in 7 days · 15–25 day lead time
Plain-language explanation
PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and PP (polypropylene) are rigid plastic cup bodies used for cold beverages. Unlike paper cups, there is no paper layer — the cup wall is entirely plastic. PET delivers crystal-clear transparency and rigidity, making it the preferred choice for showcasing colourful iced drinks, smoothies, and juices. PP offers a frosted, semi-opaque finish and is heat-sealable, making it the standard format for bubble tea shops using film-sealing machines. Both materials are food-grade, BPA-free, and available with full custom printing. rPET (recycled PET) options are available for buyers with recycled-content requirements.
Cup Wall Structure
Diagram: cup wall layers (not to scale). Inner coating is the food-contact surface.
PET and PP cups have no paper layer — the cup body is entirely rigid plastic. PET is crystal-clear; PP is frosted and heat-sealable.
Why buyers choose PET & PP Cold Cups
PET: crystal-clear for premium presentation
PET delivers maximum optical clarity — the cup wall is virtually invisible, showcasing the colour and texture of the beverage. The preferred choice for iced coffee, smoothies, juices, and premium cold drinks where visual presentation drives the sale.
PP: heat-sealable for bubble tea
PP cups are compatible with 90mm film-sealing machines — the standard format for bubble tea shops. The frosted finish and heat-seal capability make PP the industry default for sealed-lid bubble tea, boba, and similar drinks.
Food-grade and BPA-free
Both PET and PP are food-grade materials meeting FDA 21 CFR and EU EC 1935/2004 requirements. BPA-free across all specifications.
rPET recycled-content options
rPET cups using 50% or 100% recycled PET content are available for buyers with recycled-content requirements or sustainability commitments. PET is resin code #1 — widely recyclable in curbside programs.
Full custom printing
Both PET and PP cups are available with full custom printing — up to 7 colours, wraparound design. Ideal for branded cold-drink programs, private label, and seasonal campaigns.
Specifications & Performance
Concrete numbers — because vague specs don't help you place an order.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| PET sizes | 7 oz – 32 oz (cold only) |
| PP sizes | 9 oz – 24 oz (cold only) |
| PP heat-seal | 90mm film-seal compatible |
| Material | Food-grade PET or PP, BPA-free |
| Recycling | PET #1 (widely accepted); PP #5 (where accepted) |
| rPET option | 50% or 100% recycled content available |
| Custom printing | Up to 7 colours |
| MOQ | From 10,000 pcs/size |
| Lead time | 15–25 business days |
PET vs PP — which should you choose?
Self-qualify before you enquire — the right coating depends on your market.
| Criterion | PET | PP | PLA Cold Cups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Crystal-clear | Frosted / semi-opaque | Clear (similar to PET) |
| Heat-seal | Not standard | Yes — 90mm film seal | Not standard |
| End-of-life | #1 widely recycled | #5 where accepted | Industrial compost |
| rPET option | Yes (50% / 100%) | No | N/A |
| Best for | Iced drinks, smoothies, juice | Bubble tea, sealed drinks | Compostable cold drinks |
Want a compostable cold-cup option? PLA-based compostable cold cups are available as an alternative for markets with industrial composting infrastructure. View full Coating Guide →
What happens after use?
Honest end-of-life information — because greenwashing complaints hurt everyone.
✓ PET #1 is widely recyclable. PP #5 acceptance varies. rPET recycled-content options available on request.
Applications & Use Cases
Click through to the matching product page for sizes, specs, and samples.
Iced coffee and cold brew
Crystal-clear PET cups that showcase the drink — the premium format for specialty coffee shops.
View products →
Bubble tea and boba
PP cups with 90mm heat-seal compatibility — the industry standard for bubble tea shops.
View products → Smoothies and juice bars
Large-format PET cups for smoothies, fresh juices, and blended drinks.
View products →
Salad bowls with PET lids
Clear PET lids for salad bowls — matching material for a fully transparent presentation.
View products →
Looking for a compostable option?
PLA Compostable
Cold Cups
If your market has industrial composting infrastructure, PLA cold cups offer a plant-based alternative to PET and PP. Made from corn starch or cassava, they are crystal-clear like PET, compatible with dome and flat lids, and designed for cold drinks — bubble tea, fresh juice, iced coffee, and smoothies.
- 🌽 Plant-based PLA — made from corn starch or cassava, not petroleum
- 🧊 Crystal-clear like PET — showcases colourful cold beverages
- ♻️ Industrially compostable — breaks down in ~12 weeks under EN 13432 / ASTM D6400
- 🥤 Compatible with dome lids and flat lids — same formats as PET/PP
- 🫧 Suitable for bubble tea, juice, iced coffee, smoothies, and cold drinks
Standards & Compliance
Documentation available for every shipment — test reports, CoC, and declarations on request.
Standards & Certifications
- ✓Food-contact safe — meets international food safety standards (test reports available on request)
- ✓BPA-free across all specifications
- ✓PET #1 recyclable; PP #5 recyclable where accepted
- ✓rPET recycled-content options available
- ✓Third-party test reports & declarations of compliance available on request
Quality Assurance
- ✓In-process quality checks at every production stage
- ✓Pre-shipment inspection before every order
- ✓Third-party test reports available on request
- ✓Declarations of compliance for customs & import
- ✓24-hour response to technical enquiries
- ✓Free samples dispatched within 7 days
Trusted by global brands
Products available with PET & PP Cold Cups
All products below are available with this coating option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Other Coating & Material Options
Ready to order PET & PP Cold Cups?
MOQ from 10,000 pcs/size · Production 15–25 business days · Custom printing up to 7 colours
Free samples in 7 days · Test reports & compliance docs available on request