CKF

What CKF does

CKF Inc. is a Canadian manufacturer of sustainable packaging solutions, founded in 1933 as Canadian Keyes Fibre Company Limited (renamed CKF Inc. in 1982) and wholly owned by Scotia Investments Ltd., a diversified Nova Scotia-based holding company. The company operates seven manufacturing plants across North America — five in Canada (Hantsport NS, two in Langley BC including Packright, and Rexdale ON) and two in the United States (Clinton IA and El Paso TX) under the MFT-CKF subsidiary — producing more than 1,000 SKUs across three material substrates: moulded pulp fibre (including the proprietary Earthcycle brand), recycled PET (rPET) thermoforming, and expanded polystyrene foam. Product lines span fresh produce packaging (Earthcycle trays and punnets), food service disposables (pie plates, chip trays, cone servers, cup carriers, hinged lid clamshells), retail tableware (the 55-year-old Royal Chinet brand and SavaDay), protective packaging for electronics and industrial products, and custom packaging design services.

CKF generates revenue primarily through direct sales of packaged products to four customer segments: fresh produce growers/packers and grocery retailers, food service operators, retail consumers, and industrial/protective packaging customers. The GTM is sales-led and event-driven, combining dedicated enterprise sales representatives with active participation in international trade shows (Fruit Logistica Berlin, CPMA Toronto, Fruit Attraction Madrid), supported by a website-based custom packaging inquiry model. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is quoted per inquiry for custom solutions; the underlying model is hardware product sales rather than subscription or licensing. Certifying and sustainability credentials — FSC C145472, EN 13432 home compostability, FDA/ACIA food standards compliance, RoHS/REACH compliance, and ISO 9001:2015 at US plants — underpin the value proposition against UK plastic tax, France's single-use plastics ban, and retailer sustainability mandates.

The company executed two acquisitions in 2022 (MFT-CKF for ~$32 million and Packright Manufacturing), deployed $10 million of capital expenditure into a new rPET extrusion facility in Rexdale and west coast Earthcycle production in Langley, and became the largest global thermoformed pulp manufacturer for the fresh produce market.

Name

CKF

Legal name

CKF Inc.

Website

https://ckfinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1933

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

CKF Inc. is a Canadian manufacturer of sustainable packaging — moulded pulp, rPET, and foam — serving fresh produce growers, food service operators, retailers, and industrial customers across North America via seven plants and brands including Earthcycle, Royal Chinet, and MFT-CKF.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Food and Protective Packaging Manufacturing

NAICS

Packaging and Labeling Services (56191), Food Manufacturing (311)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000), Papers & Allied Products (2600), Paper Mills (2621)

akta.pro primary industry

Compostable & Bio-Based Packaging (PLA/PHA, Starch Blends, Cellulose Films) (IMALAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Foodservice/To-Go Packaging (Cups, Clamshells, Cutlery) (IMALAHAM), Paper-Based Packaging & Single-Use Paper Products (Paper Bags, Wraps, Cartons) (CRADALAL), Refrigerated Meat & Seafood (Processed/Packaged) (CRADACAK)

Keywords

• Moulded pulp packaging
• Sustainable food packaging
• RPET thermoforming
• Protective packaging solutions
• Disposable food service tableware

Headquarters

HQ city

Hantsport

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Packaging Products Sales: CKF manufactures and sells moulded pulp, rPET/PET, and foam packaging products across multiple categories including produce packaging, meat trays, egg cartons, herb trays, and protective packaging. Products are sold directly to food service operators, retailers, growers, and packers.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CKF Inc. manufactures and sells sustainable food, retail, and protective packaging products from three material substrates: moulded pulp fibre (Earthcycle brand of home compostable, FSC-certified trays and punnets for fresh produce), recycled PET (Packright by CKF thermoformed rPET trays for produce, meat, herbs, bakery, deli), and expanded polystyrene foam (meat trays, hinged-lid clamshells, egg cartons). The company also produces MFT-CKF moulded fibre protective packaging for electronics, industrial goods, wine/beverage and candle shippers, and offers custom packaging design and printing services with private-label options across pulp, rPET, and foam substrates.

Product overview

CKF Inc. is a Canadian manufacturer offering a diversified portfolio of packaging, retail, and food service products across three material substrates: moulded pulp, rPET, and foam. The core product lines include Earthcycle (flagship sustainable brand of home compostable moulded pulp for fresh produce), Packright by CKF (acquired rPET thermoformed packaging), foam meat trays and hinged lid containers, Royal Chinet and SavaDay (retail disposable plates and bowls), and MFT-CKF protective packaging (moulded fibre for electronics and industrial products). The company also offers custom packaging design and printing services. CKF operates five plants across Canada and two in the US, serving customers in North America and international markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Earthcycle Moulded Pulp Packaging Flagship brand of thermoformed moulded pulp fibre trays and punnets for fresh produce that are certified home compostable (EN 13432), widely recyclable with paper, and reduce plastic use by up to 96%. Targeted at growers, packers, and grocery retailers.
• Packright by CKF (Thermoformed rPET Packaging) Wide range of clear and coloured thermoformed rPET packaging products for agricultural, produce, confectionery, and deli sectors, known for design expertise and quality production.
• rPET Meat & Produce Trays Solid, durable produce trays made from recycled PET that are highly resistant to cracking, tearing, and shattering, with superior nesting properties for protection. Recyclable in the blue bin.
• Foam Meat Trays Expanded polystyrene foam presentation and protection trays for packaged meat and produce items, available in various shapes and sizes with optional absorbent padding.
• Egg Cartons Moulded fibre egg cartons with a rough finish providing a sustainable packaging alternative and effective protection for eggs, with high-quality graphics printing options.
• Pulp Produce Packaging (Produce Pak and Sho-Pak) Moulded fibre produce packaging including Produce Pak and Sho-Pak lines that add a natural, fresh-picked look and feel while protecting fruit and vegetables from damage.
• Herb Trays rPET herb trays that maintain air circulation for added freshness, available in 0.75oz, 1oz, and 2oz sizes for various fresh herb types.
• Earthcycle Lid Mates Clear recyclable PET lids designed to fit Earthcycle moulded fibre punnets, providing a solution for customers without top-seal equipment, with secure fit for supply chain temperature variations.
• Earthcycle Paper Sleeves Paper sleeves designed for Earthcycle trays and punnets, providing 100% plastic-free packaging that is certified home compostable and recyclable, with expanded branding real estate for retailers.
• Royal Chinet Disposable Tableware Iconic heritage brand of premium disposable plates and bowls for retail consumers and food service bulk format, featuring premium presentation, durability, and coordinated table settings; manufactured and sold exclusively in Canada.
• SavaDay Earth-Friendly Tableware Earth-friendly disposable plates and bowls with a natural appearance that encourages consumers to use the compost bin, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers and youth.
• Food Service Tableware (Bulk Royal Chinet and SavaDay) Bulk-packaged SavaDay and Royal Chinet plates, bowls, and coordinated tableware for food service customer serving needs.
• Cup Carriers Rough-finish moulded fibre 4-cup carriers providing a convenient, sustainable solution for drink carrying needs, capable of holding 4 XL cups.
• Pie Plates Moulded fibre pie plates in 6" to 9" sizes with rough finish, offering premium presentation and durability for bakery use.
• Chip Trays Moulded fibre chip trays made from recycled newspaper with a balanced size and shape, ready to use straight from packaging, available in various sizes.
• Cone Servers Easy-to-use cone servers offering high quality and user-friendliness for ice cream serving, capable of holding large portions.
• Bakery & Deli rPET Products Packright by CKF rPET cake boards, domes, and rounds for bakery and deli applications, adaptable to all food types, recyclable, and customizable.
• Foam Hinged Lid Clamshells Hinged lid clamshell containers for quick service food, available in single and double compartment formats, customizable for branding and presentation.
• MFT-CKF Protective Packaging Moulded fibre protective packaging for consumer goods, electronics, and industrial products, made from 100% recycled materials with innovative after-pressing capabilities for retail-friendly folding cartons and clamshells. ISO 9001:2015 certified.
• MFT-CKF Standard Products (Wine/Beverage Shippers and Candle Packs) Proprietary lines of custom moulded pulp wine/beverage and candle shippers made from 100% recyclable moulded fibre for protecting jarred candles and beverage containers in shipping.
• TerraCoat Dust-Mitigation Technology Proprietary dust and particulate mitigation coating technology that can be applied to moulded fibre packaging products to protect packaged goods from fibre dust contamination.
• Custom Packaging & Printing Services Custom branding and package design services across pulp, rPET, or foam substrates, including printing, labels, and embossing customization, with private label options for retailer-owned brands.
• Earthcycle EC 652 Blueberry Punnet 18 oz top-seal blueberry punnet that easily slips into automated packing lines with existing top-seal tooling; FSC certified and home compostable, reducing plastic use by 80% versus conventional plastic packaging.

Quantifiable outcome

• Extends shelf life of produce by up to 20%
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Belmark Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 April 2023Belmark Inc. partnered with CKF to support a Canadian retail trial with blueberries supplied by The Fruitist. Belmark supplied specially designed top seal film for Earthcycle EC 652 blueberry punnets, which is universally compatible with both moulded pulp and recycled PET trays.
• The FruitistminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 April 2023The Fruitist, a joint venture between Agrovision Corp. and Berries Paradise, supplied blueberries for the Earthcycle packaging retail trial with Costco Canada and Belmark. The trial established optimal specifications for the film/fibre bond, proving supply chain functionality.
• Packright Manufacturing Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022Packright Manufacturing Ltd., established 2003 in Langley, BC, was acquired by CKF and Scotia Investments in November 2022 and became a wholly owned subsidiary of CKF. Packright is a family owned manufacturer of clear and coloured thermoformed rPET for agricultural, produce, confectionary, and deli sectors, known for design expertise, quality production, and service excellence.
• MFT-CKF, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 July 2022CKF completed acquisition of MFT-CKF Inc. (formerly Molded Fiber Technologies, part of UFP Technologies) which designs, manufactures, and distributes environmentally responsible moulded pulp protective packaging for consumer goods, electronics, and industrial products from plants in Clinton, IA and El Paso, TX.
• PackCo S.L.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 July 2021PackCo S.L., a packaging design and consultancy firm in Valencia, Spain, is actively engaged in developing sleeved Earthcycle solutions for clients such as Ballberry, helping differentiate produce at retail while maintaining an environmentally conscious footprint.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pactiv Evergreen: One of the largest North American manufacturers of foodservice and food merchandising packaging, including foam, paper-based, and plastic substrates. Directly comparable to CKF across foodservice disposables, meat/produce trays, and cup carriers, though it has a larger global footprint.
• Sabert Corporation: Manufacturer of foodservice packaging including compostable fibre-based plates, bowls, and containers. Directly comparable to CKF's SavaDay, Royal Chinet, and foodservice line in competing for restaurants, caterers, and grocery retail programs.
• Genpak: North American manufacturer of foodservice packaging including foam, PET, and moulded fibre products. Directly comparable to CKF across foodservice clamshells, tableware, and fresh food packaging substrates.
• Huhtamäki: Global foodservice and consumer goods packaging company with a strong fibre-based and sustainable packaging portfolio. Directly comparable to CKF's Earthcycle and foodservice tableware businesses, and similarly competing in fresh produce packaging for global retailers.
• Fabri-Kal: Manufacturer of thermoformed PET, rPET, and PLA packaging for foodservice and retail fresh food applications. Closely comparable to CKF's Packright by CKF rPET tray and clamshell businesses in produce, bakery, and deli.
• Eco-Products (Novolex): Leading North American brand of compostable foodservice packaging (plates, bowls, cups, cutlery). Directly competes with CKF's SavaDay and Earthcycle lines in sustainable foodservice and competes for the same restaurant and institutional customers.

Emerging players

• Hartmann Packaging: European moulded fibre packaging manufacturer with capabilities in egg cartons, produce trays, and protective packaging. Directly comparable to CKF's Earthcycle and MFT-CKF businesses though primarily focused on European markets.
• Vegware: UK-based compostable foodservice packaging specialist with a strong sustainability brand. Comparable to CKF's Earthcycle and SavaDay lines on the foodservice/compostable side, though more narrow in product breadth.

Broad incumbents

• Sonoco Products Company: Diversified global packaging manufacturer with operations across rigid paper containers, protective packaging, and foodservice disposables. Overlaps with CKF in moulded pulp protective packaging (MFT-CKF competes with Sonoco's protective solutions) and foodservice.
• Sealed Air Corporation: Major global packaging company with protective packaging and food packaging divisions. Comparable to CKF in protective packaging (Cryovac, Bubble Wrap) and competes for similar fresh food and e-commerce protective packaging accounts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ckf-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/ckfinc

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CKF