Zhongxin supplies international packaging groups and serves end-use applications for leading foodservice, retail, and supermarket brands.
Airline catering procurement teams evaluate meal packaging on a different set of constraints than restaurants: every gram adds to onboard weight, galley space is tight, and containers must stay sealed through handling and service. This guide explains how catering teams, galley managers and procurement buyers can source and verify compostable bagasse tableware for in-flight meal service.
Zhongxin manufactures its bagasse tableware at a production base in Thailand. According to the company’s Shanghai Stock Exchange filings (stock code 603091, Zhejiang Zhongxin Environmental Protection Technology Group Co., Ltd.), Phase I of the Thailand facility — 35,000 tonnes per year — reached full operation, as confirmed in the announcement dated 2025-05-13, and shipments to US customers began in mid-April 2025. The practical step for buyers is to confirm weight, stack height, seal performance and certifications with documents and samples, not with photos.
Molded bagasse fiber is lighter than rigid plastic or aluminum alternatives of the same capacity, and it can be nested to reduce carton cube in the galley and during transport. Compartment trays keep meal components separated, while clamshells support sealed single-portion service. The broader range is covered on the food packaging overview.
Zhongxin’s bagasse tableware is produced at its Thailand facility. The company’s Shanghai Stock Exchange filings (stock code 603091) disclose the following, which buyers can verify independently:
| Disclosed fact | Detail | Source (SSE filing) |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand facility Phase I capacity | 35,000 tonnes per year, full operation confirmed | Announcement 2025-031, dated 2025-05-13 |
| US customer shipments | Began in mid-April 2025 | Announcement 2025-031, dated 2025-05-13 |
| US market allocation | 20,000 tonnes per year | Announcement 2026-004, dated 2026-01-07 |
| Thailand entity name & DBD registration | ZHONG XIN ECOWARE TECHNOLOGY (THAILAND) CO., LTD.; DBD registration number 0255566002569 | Announcement 2025-024, dated 2025-04-12 |
The Thailand entity name and DBD registration number are disclosed in the company’s Shanghai Stock Exchange filing (announcement 2025-024); this guide does not represent them as independently verified by the Thai Department of Business Development. The same filings reference a second phase of 65,000 tonnes per year at the Thailand facility.
Before qualifying a supplier for airline catering, request the documents in the table below. Each maps to a specific buying risk.
| Document | What it confirms | Where to request |
|---|---|---|
| Specification sheet (weight, dimensions, nested height) | Unit weight and stack height for galley and weight-budget planning | Product page / contact |
| BPI certified-compostable listing | Product is listed in the BPI compostable products directory | BPI company listing |
| Food-contact compliance documents | Intended for food contact under the buyer’s target market | Zhongxin certification page |
| Leak-resistance / lid-fit test report | Seals during handling, service and transport | Supplier / contact |
| Physical samples | Real lid fit, strength and food-appearance after holding | Contact page |
Different service types need different formats. Use the table to focus verification on the points that matter for each application.
| Meal service type | Recommended format | Key checks |
|---|---|---|
| Economy hot meal | Compartment tray | Section separation, heat holding, stack height |
| Premium / single-portion | Compostable clamshell | Lid seal, leak resistance, presentation |
| Cold salad / snack | Clear-lid tray or clamshell | Lid clarity, seal, cold holding |
| Galley transport & staging | Nestable trays with cartons | Case cube, nesting height, carton strength |
Onboard weight and galley space are direct cost and operation factors. Buyers should request the specification sheet showing weight per unit and nested stack height, then calculate case cube and container-load efficiency for their trolley and carton plan. A lower unit price can be less attractive if the nesting height or carton cube is poor.
For in-flight service, containers must stay sealed through galley handling and passenger service. Request a leak-resistance and lid-fit test on samples, and verify the specific SKU you plan to use rather than a similar-looking product. Clamshell formats are suited to sealed single-portion service; compartment trays suit separated multi-component meals.
Zhongxin’s bagasse tableware is listed in the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) certified-compostable products directory. Buyers can open the BPI company listing to verify the certified product entries independently:
BPI certification confirms compostability against recognised standards. Local acceptance of compostable items in catering waste streams varies, so buyers should also confirm with their waste handler.
The bagasse tableware line is intended for food contact. Buyers should request the applicable food-contact documentation for their target market from the supplier before qualifying the product. Document review should be part of the buyer’s own supplier-qualification process. The certification page lists available documents.
Zhongxin supports OEM/ODM customization for the bagasse tableware line, including logo printing and color options on selected SKUs, which supports airline branding programs. Details are on the compostable clamshell containers page.
Samples can be requested before qualification so buyers can test weight, lid fit, leak resistance and food-appearance in their own operation. Submit a request through the contact page.
To request the specification sheet, BPI listing confirmation, food-contact documents, leak-resistance test report, or physical samples for supplier qualification, contact Zhongxin through the contact page. Indicate your operation type (for example, airline catering, distributor, or importer) and the specific SKUs you are evaluating so the correct documents and samples can be prepared.
Buyers should request the specification sheet showing weight per unit and nested stack height, then compare against current packaging. Molded bagasse fiber is lighter than rigid plastic or aluminum of the same capacity, but the actual weight saving depends on the specific SKU, so confirm with the spec sheet rather than assuming.
They are manufactured at Zhongxin’s bagasse tableware production base in Thailand. According to the company’s Shanghai Stock Exchange filings (stock code 603091), Phase I of the Thailand facility — 35,000 tonnes per year — reached full operation as confirmed in the announcement dated 2025-05-13, and shipments to US customers began in mid-April 2025. Buyers can verify these facts through the public filings.
Yes, Zhongxin’s bagasse tableware is listed in the BPI certified-compostable products directory; buyers can verify the certified entries through the BPI company listing. Local acceptance of compostable items in catering waste streams varies, so confirm with your waste handler.
Request a leak-resistance and lid-fit test on samples for the specific SKU you plan to use. Clamshell formats support sealed single-portion service, and compartment trays support separated multi-component meals; verify the seal performance rather than relying on appearance.
Yes. Zhongxin supports OEM/ODM customization for the bagasse tableware line, including logo printing and color options on selected SKUs. Product and customization details are listed on the compostable clamshell containers page.
Yes. Samples and the relevant certifications (BPI listing, food-contact documents, specification sheet) can be requested before qualification. Submit a request through the contact page, indicating your operation type and the SKUs you are evaluating.
