CJ CheilJedang, Lotte Chemical partner to develop dual-use frozen, microwave-ready food packaging

SOUTH KOREA – CJ CheilJedang has partnered with Lotte Chemical to co-develop high-performance food packaging materials capable of withstanding both ultra-low frozen storage and high-heat microwave cooking, combining the food giant’s R&D expertise with the chemical firm’s materials technology.

The memorandum of understanding was signed at CJ Blossom Park in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, with Eric Soegeyanto, head of global packaging at CJ CheilJedang, and Lee Hyun-seop, senior research engineer at Lotte Chemical, in attendance. 

The partnership aims to create next-generation packaging that reduces damage risks during frozen distribution while remaining suitable for microwave heating, with enhanced thermal and physical properties to protect food products and improve consumer convenience. 

A CJ CheilJedang official stated that the agreement marks a meaningful starting point for a materials company and a food brand to collaborate from the early stages of development to create packaging solutions optimised for real-world use.

How Early-Stage Material Design and Combined R&D Capabilities Enable Dual Temperature Resilience

The two companies will collaborate from the initial raw material design stage to develop packaging that strengthens cold and heat resistance properties. 

CJ CheilJedang contributes its food packaging research and development capabilities and deep understanding of real-world usage environments, while Lotte Chemical provides expertise in polymer material design and development technologies. 

The material is being engineered to maintain structural integrity across extreme temperature ranges, from frozen storage conditions through to microwave cooking, addressing a key gap in current food packaging solutions where materials often fail under one of these conditions.

The partnership aligns with CJ CheilJedang’s broader sustainability strategy, which includes designing packaging that enables resource circulation, reducing new plastic use, and minimising unnecessary packaging materials as part of its 2050 carbon neutrality and Zero Waste goals.

What the Partnership Means for Frozen Food Innovation and Consumer Convenience

This collaboration builds on CJ CheilJedang’s established packaging innovation track record, including patented technologies for frozen food products and microwave cooking containers.

The company has previously developed packaging that uses the principle of a dumpling steamer to emphasise flavour, with embossed container bottoms to ensure uniform heat distribution and reduce cooking time. 

The new materials are expected to enhance both content protection performance and consumer ease of use, supporting the growing demand for convenient, high-quality frozen meal solutions in South Korea and potentially global markets.

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