Ice pack for shipping: what sets the quantity?
Ice pack for shipping starts with one question: how many packs do you need? We do not state a fixed number, because that depends on the transit time, the target temperature, the outside temperature and the insulation of the packaging. We do have a measurement as a reference: one 400 g gel pack in a thick-walled EPS box. Below you will read the results and which coolant suits which shipment.
Ice pack for shipping: what does the quantity depend on?
Four factors determine how much cooling capacity you need: the transit time, the target temperature (refrigerated or deep-frozen), the outside temperature and the insulation of the packaging.
How many cooling elements you need depends on the same factors. You can read more about the difference in rigid cooling element or gel pack.
The test basis for ice packs for shipping
Our reference point is one 400 g gel pack in a thick-walled EPS box at a constant outside temperature of 25 °C. After 12 hours the contents are still well below freezing, after 24 hours still below 0 °C. The contents stay below 0 °C for up to about 30 hours and below 8 °C for up to 48 hours.
This product is also called gel ice pack for shipping or ice packs for shipping. The range is under gel ice pack for shipping.
Which coolant suits which shipment
| Situation | What suits |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated or deep-frozen shipping | Gel pack, gives off 0 °C |
| Frozen shipping | PCM pack, fixed temperature of minus 18 °C |
| Flat products | Ice pack sheets instead of thick packs |
| Daily logistics processes | Cooling elements, between 24 and 72 hours of constant cooling depending on application and insulation |
You cool flat products such as fish fillets, sushi and charcuterie with ice pack sheets, which cool evenly.
Combining gel packs with insulation
Combine gel packs with an insulated shipping bag or an EPS box for a complete cold packaging solution. You can read more about freezing and packing in freezing and packing ice packs. For how long a pack stays cold, continue with how long does an ice pack stay cold.
The measurements at a glance
The measurement was taken with one 400 g gel pack in a thick-walled EPS box at a constant ambient temperature of 25 °C. The collection text gives the results per delivery time:
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| 12 hours (same day delivery) | Temperature still well below freezing, the contents stay deep-chilled |
| 24 hours (next day delivery) | The gel pack stays below 0 °C |
| Up to about 30 hours | Temperature stays below 0 °C |
| Up to 48 hours | After that the box warms up slowly, but stays within the cooling range below 8 °C |
The measurement applies to this combination: one 400 g gel pack, a thick-walled EPS box and 25 °C outside. For other combinations the data state no measured values.
Ice packs: weights and sizes
Ice packs come in several weights. All ice packs are white and made of PE. The product descriptions state the size and the quantity per master carton for each weight.
| Weight | Size | Per master carton | Per pallet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 g | 120 x 150 mm | 80 pcs | 3,200 pcs |
| 300 g | 120 x 180 mm | 60 pcs | 2,400 pcs |
| 400 g | 120 x 210 mm | 40 pcs | 1,600 pcs |
| 500 g | 120 x 220 mm | 35 pcs | 1,400 pcs |
| 600 g | 120 x 240 mm | 30 pcs | 1,200 pcs |
| 1,000 g | 150 x 275 mm | 18 pcs | 720 pcs |
What the product descriptions say per weight: the 300 g is suitable for insulated bags or boxes and for refrigerated or deep-frozen shipping. The 400 g has a long cooling time and is suitable for refrigerated shipments. The 600 g has a long-lasting cooling effect and is suitable for larger shipments. The 1,000 g has an extra long cooling time for longer transit times.
Cooling elements in three weights
The rigid cooling elements come in 200, 400 and 750 g. The collection text describes them like this:
| Weight | Dimensions | Per master carton | According to the collection text |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 g | 150 x 80 x 20 mm | 48 pcs | Small packages and short transport |
| 400 g | 160 x 95 x 30 mm | 20 pcs | Standard shipments and medium-sized packaging |
| 750 g | 200 x 105 x 40 mm | 16 pcs | Larger packaging and longer transit times |
According to the collection text, the 750 g cooling elements are suitable for cooling at pallet level, deep-freeze transport and shipments of several days. Cooling elements can be reused hundreds of times.
Ice pack sheets: four sizes
The ice pack sheets arrive flat and empty. After soaking in water for 5 to 10 minutes, the cells swell into a gel mat, which is then frozen. The sheets can be used from minus 5 to minus 80 °C and torn off along the perforation.
| Sheet | Size | Per box | According to the product description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 x 3 cells | 140 x 200 mm | 2,000 pcs | Smallest size, for small portions and single-item shipments |
| 3 x 4 cells | 200 x 280 mm | 1,000 pcs | Most used size, fits standard meal boxes and shipping boxes |
| 2 x 6 cells | 140 x 400 mm | 1,000 pcs | Elongated, for narrow products such as whole fish and fillets |
| 4 x 6 cells | 280 x 400 mm | 500 pcs | Largest sheet, for large boxes and as a base or top layer |
Frequently asked questions about shipping with ice packs
Can I ship cooling elements and reuse them?
A rigid cooling element can be reused hundreds of times. A gel pack is suitable for single use and can be used several times.
How many gel packs do I need for 24 hours?
We do not state a fixed number. In our measurement, the contents with one 400 g gel pack in a thick-walled EPS box at 25 °C stayed below 0 °C after 24 hours.
Which coolant suits frozen shipping?
A gel pack gives off 0 °C. For frozen shipping there is the PCM pack, which gives a fixed temperature of minus 18 °C.
Which weights of ice packs are there?
Ice packs come in 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 and 1,000 g. The sizes and quantities per master carton are in the table above.
Which sizes of ice pack sheets are there?
There are four sizes: 140 x 200 mm, 200 x 280 mm, 140 x 400 mm and 280 x 400 mm.
Do ice packs give off meltwater?
No. Thanks to the closed design, the gel packs give off no meltwater when they thaw, according to the product description.
Shipping with ice packs? Take a look at the range of ice pack for shipping or the cooling elements for shipping. Our specialists are happy to advise you.
You will find all names for this product in our glossary.
