QXD2 Foil Container
QXD2 divided aluminum foil container for meal prep, airline catering, ready meals, school meals, and portion-controlled food service. The 227 x 178mm two-compartment format holds 1200ml and keeps main dishes, sides, sauces, or desserts separated during packing, freezing, reheating, and serving. Custom printing and export packaging support are available for wholesale buyers. MOQ from 20,000 units; typical production lead time is 2-3 months after order confirmation.
TOP OUT: 227 x 178mm
BOTTOM: 197 x 143mm
HEIGHT: 38mm
VOLUME: 1200ml
Indicative starting price: from USD 0.04 per piece. Final quote depends on size, thickness, order quantity, lid type, printing and packing requirements.
Description
Divided Aluminum Foil Container
227×178mm · 1,200ml capacity · Three-section aluminum foil container for balanced complete meals
divided aluminum foil container specifications for wholesale buyers
Divided aluminum foil container with three sections for protein, starch, and vegetable in a single tray
At 227×178mm with 38mm depth and 1,200ml total capacity, the QXD2 divided aluminum foil container provides three separate food sections in a single container — one larger section for the main protein, and two smaller sections for a starch and a vegetable side. The three-section format mirrors the balanced plate composition used in institutional catering, school meals, airline service, and premium ready meal retail. All three dividers are formed integrally from the same food-grade aluminum as the container walls, maintaining separation at temperatures from −20°C to 220°C without inserts that can shift or fail. Oven safe to 220°C; freezer safe to −20°C.
Three integral sections
Formed aluminum dividers — protein + two sides
Balanced meal format
Mirrors institutional and airline plate composition
1,200ml total
Complete single-serve meal across three sections
Custom print ready
Full surface up to 9 colors
Where this divided aluminum foil container works best
The QXD2’s three-section format is the standard divided container format for institutional and airline catering worldwide — it maps directly to the balanced plate model used in nutritional guidelines, school meal standards, and hospital catering specifications. For operations needing only two sections, see the QXD1 two compartment container. For a full size overview, see our takeout container sizes guide.
Airline Economy & Business Class Meals
The three-section divided aluminum foil container is the standard format for airline meal trays globally — one section for the hot main protein, one for the starch side, one for a vegetable or salad component. The integral aluminum dividers maintain food separation during the cook-chill-reheat cycle used in airline catering, and at 227×178mm the container fits within the footprint of standard airline meal tray inserts. Unlike plastic divided trays, the aluminum format can be reheated in a convection oven without divider softening or sauce migration between sections. See our full airline catering container guide.
School & Institutional Meal Programs
School meal programs and institutional catering operations — hospitals, care homes, corporate cafeterias — use the three-section divided format to deliver nutritionally balanced meals that meet food group separation requirements. The divided aluminum foil container allows bulk-cooked components to be portioned into individual trays on an assembly line, chilled, transported, and reheated in the same container without transfer. The oven-safe construction supports regeneration at 180–200°C. The disposable format eliminates dishwashing logistics that are operationally significant at scale. Read our catering container guide.
Retail Balanced Meal Ready SKUs
Supermarket premium ready meal ranges use the three-section divided aluminum foil container for complete balanced meal SKUs — a protein, a starch, and a vegetable in one container, marketed as a nutritionally complete single-serve option. The three-section format communicates intentional nutritional design rather than a single-component dish, supporting premium positioning in the ready meal category. The freeze-to-oven capability allows the same container to serve as both retail packaging and cooking vessel. See our custom container design guide.
Takeout Complete Meal Formats
Restaurants and takeout operations offering complete meal formats — a main with two sides — use the divided aluminum foil container to package all three components in a single container with one lid. This reduces packaging cost, simplifies assembly, and delivers the meal to the customer as a visually complete plate rather than a collection of separate containers. At 227×178mm, the container fits standard delivery bags. The integral aluminum dividers prevent the sauce from a sauced protein crossing into the rice or vegetable sections during a 30–40 minute delivery window. See our food delivery container guide.
Meal Kit Complete Plate Components
Meal kit operators packaging pre-portioned complete meals use this divided aluminum foil container for three-component oven-ready kits — a marinated protein, a starch, and a vegetable — that the consumer places directly into the oven in the same container. The freeze-to-oven format at −20°C to 220°C eliminates the thaw-and-transfer step, which is a key convenience selling point for meal kit brands. For individual oven-ready component packaging, the QXH3 small baking tray and QXH1 roasting pan are alternatives for single-section formats. Read our meal prep container guide.
Premium Brand Complete Meal Packaging
A premium brand using this divided aluminum foil container for a signature complete meal is communicating the highest level of intentional meal design — three sections signal that the protein, starch, and vegetable have been specifically selected and portioned as a complete plate. The 227×178mm surface provides a full print canvas spanning all three sections simultaneously, allowing brand design to visually unify the meal composition. The aluminum format carries a significantly higher perceived quality than plastic three-compartment trays at the same container footprint. Up to 9-color Pantone printing available. See our foil printing solutions.
Specification comparison for divided aluminum foil container buyers
Not sure if this is the right format? Here is how the QXD2 compares to other divided and single-compartment containers in our range. The shaded row is this product. For a full overview, see our aluminum container sizes guide. For model-level dimensions and capacity checks, use the foil container size selector.
| Model | Dimensions | Height | Volume | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QXD1 | 230×178mm | 35mm | 1,200ml | Two sections — protein + one side |
| QXD2 ◀ You are here | 227×178mm | 38mm | 1,200ml | Three sections — protein + two sides, balanced meal |
| QX1 | 220×160mm | 39mm | 1,100ml | Single compartment, standard takeout main |
| QX2 | 318×214mm | 52mm | 2,900ml | Single compartment, family sharing tray |
| QXH1 | 280×170mm (oval) | 45mm | 1,400ml | Single compartment oval, roasting and baked mains |
Wholesale divided aluminum foil container orders
MOQ
From 20,000 units per order
Lead time
2–3 months from order confirmation
Custom print
Up to 9 colors, full surface coverage, Pantone matched
Certifications
FDA · ISO 9001 · Kosher · SGS · GMP
Divided Aluminum Foil Container questions
What is the difference between QXD2 and QXD1?
QXD2 (227×178mm, 38mm, 1,200ml) has three compartments for protein and two sides. QXD1 (230×178mm, 35mm, 1,200ml) has two compartments for protein and one side. Same total capacity. Choose QXD2 for balanced three-section meals such as airline trays and institutional catering. Choose QXD1 when only two sections are needed.
Do the dividers in this divided aluminum foil container hold up during oven reheating?
Yes. All three dividers are formed integrally from the same food-grade aluminum as the container walls. They maintain separation at 220°C without softening, warping, or allowing sauce migration between sections — a key advantage over plastic divided containers during oven reheating.
How much food fits in each of the three sections?
Total capacity is 1,200ml across all three sections. The larger main section holds approximately 550ml (protein), and the two smaller sections hold approximately 325ml each (starch and vegetable). Fill each section to 80% capacity to prevent overflow during transport and reheating.
Can I use this divided aluminum foil container in a standard oven?
Yes, oven safe to 220°C (428°F). Remove lids before baking. Do not use in microwave. Place on a baking sheet for stability when all three sections are full. The 227×178mm footprint fits all standard domestic and commercial ovens.
What lids fit the QXD2 divided aluminum foil container?
227×178mm aluminum lids for oven reheating and hot-hold transport. Film lids for chilled retail display. One lid covers all three sections simultaneously — the key operational efficiency over using three separate containers.
Is this divided aluminum foil container freezer safe?
Yes, freezer safe to −20°C. Goes directly from freezer to oven at 220°C without transfer. All three sections maintain separation during the freeze-reheat cycle, making it ideal for retail frozen complete meals and meal kit formats.
Material comparison for divided aluminum foil container sourcing
For the three-section divided container format, here is how aluminum foil compares to common alternatives. For a full safety analysis, see our aluminum vs plastic food safety guide.
| Feature | Aluminum Foil | Plastic Divided Tray | Bagasse / Pulp Tray |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oven safe | ✅ Up to 220°C | ❌ Melts above 70°C | ❌ Not oven safe |
| Divider integrity in oven | ✅ Maintains separation | ❌ Softens, allows mixing | ❌ Absorbs liquid |
| Freeze to oven | ✅ −20°C to 220°C | ❌ Not possible | ❌ Not possible |
| Custom print | ✅ Up to 9 colors | ⚠️ Label only | ✅ Print possible |
| Heat retention | ✅ Excellent | ⚠️ Poor | ⚠️ Moderate |
| Recyclable | ✅ 100% aluminum | ⚠️ Varies by type | ✅ Compostable |
| Certifications | FDA / SGS / Kosher / GMP | FDA (varies) | BPI / FDA (varies) |
Part of our aluminum foil container range. Also available as a two compartment format (QXD1). Compatible with 227×178mm aluminum lids and film lids. Read our wholesale supplier guide or learn more at FDA Food Safety Guidelines.
Related Qixin buying links: QXC1 heart shaped foil container, QXS8 heavy duty aluminum container, aluminum foil container questions, and 2026 FOB Qingdao pricing guide.
