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Gel ice packs

Gel ice packs and gel packs, also written as icepack and known as cooling packs or gel-based cooling elements. The flexible ice pack is the solution for chilled and deep-frozen transport: non-toxic, leak-proof and available directly from stock. For good cooling, combine ice packs with an EPS box. Prefer a sturdy version that lasts hundreds of uses? Take a look at the rigid freezer packs.

Other names for ice packs

An ice pack is also called an icepack, gel ice pack, ice gel pack, gel pack, cold pack, cool pack or cooling pack. In the plural these are ice packs, icepacks, gel ice packs, cold packs, cooling packs and gel packs. They are different spellings and names for the same product: a filled pack that you freeze and add to the shipment. Looking for the hard version? Those are the freezer packs, also called cooling elements, cooling blocks or freezer elements.

Looking for another name for this product? You will find all names in our glossary.

Since 1972

Own production in Europe

Shipped before 2:00 PM

From our own stock

Custom solutions + advice

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Directly from stock

6 products available for immediate delivery.

For food and pharmaceuticals

Complies with EU food safety guidelines.

Order on invoice

Business customers: 30-day terms, request by e-mail.

Gel packs and ice packs for chilled and deep-frozen transport

Looking for an effective, affordable way to ship your products chilled or deep-frozen? At Cooled Solutions you will find a wide range of gel packs and ice packs in different sizes and weights, ready to ship from stock.

Gel packs are suitable for single use and are widely used when shipping fresh or deep-frozen food, such as fish, meat and ready meals. They do not leak, stay flexible, and are especially suitable when meltwater is unwanted. In sectors where hygiene and product condition matter, such as the fish trade, e-commerce and food box deliveries, the gel pack is a popular choice.

Temperature curve of a gel pack in a thick-walled EPS box (48 hours)

A 400 gram gel pack in a thick-walled EPS box at a constant ambient temperature of 25°C performs as follows:

Same-day delivery (12 hours): After 12 hours the temperature is still well below freezing. The contents stay deep-chilled, which makes this setup suitable for same-day deliveries of perishable or chilled products.

Next-day delivery (24 hours): Even after 24 hours the gel pack stays below 0°C. That makes this setup very suitable for shipments delivered the next day, with no risk of breaking the cold chain.

Frozen for up to 30 hours: The temperature stays below 0°C for about 30 hours. After that the box warms slowly, but stays within the safe cooling range (below 8°C) for up to 48 hours.

Key properties of ice packs for chilled transport

Temperature control

Ice packs keep products chilled or frozen for a long time, depending on your use. They give a constant temperature inside the packaging, so the quality and safety of your shipment are kept through the whole journey.

High cooling capacity

The gel filling in our ice packs gives stronger, longer-lasting cooling than frozen water. That makes them well suited to both chilled shipping and deep-frozen transport, even when the ambient temperature swings.

Leak proof and product safe

Unlike ice, an ice pack does not melt into loose water. Even if it is damaged, the gel stays inside the pack, so no moisture escapes that could harm products. This prevents leaks, keeps your shipment clean and lowers the risk of damage.

Non toxic

Our gel packs are non-toxic and safe in direct contact with food. Even if a pack is damaged, the gel stays neatly inside, with no risk of leakage or contamination.

Uses of ice packs in transport

Our ice packs are used daily in many sectors to keep products chilled or deep-frozen in transit. They are non-toxic and safe in direct contact with food, with no risk of contamination or leakage.

Food industry

Ice packs are indispensable for moving fresh or frozen food such as meat, dairy, fish and ready meals. They prevent spoilage, limit bacterial growth and make sure products reach the end customer in the right condition. They also suit meal boxes and food parcels.

Medical industry

In pharmaceutical and medical transport, ice packs are used to move temperature-sensitive products such as vaccines, insulin or blood samples safely. They keep the temperature stable and so help preserve the effectiveness and safety of these critical products.

Fishing

In the fish industry, ice packs are often used instead of loose ice, especially when meltwater is unwanted. Gel packs stay leak proof even after thawing, and keep fish products at the right temperature for a long time without moisture building up in the packaging.

Fruit and vegetable sector

To keep fruit and vegetables fresh in transit, ice packs are a reliable cooling solution. They reduce temperature swings and help extend the shelf life of delicate produce.

Recreational use

For non-commercial uses such as picnics, camping trips or days at the beach, ice packs are a practical solution too. They keep drinks and food cool without fuss or leaks, especially with a portable cool box.

Ordering and delivery

Interested in our ice packs, but want advice first on the different uses and options? Our experts at Cooled Solutions are glad to help. Contact us by phone or email for professional, tailored advice.

You can order our products easily through the webshop. They are shipped the same day if you order before 14:00. This applies to all sizes and quantities of ice packs. All of these products are in stock in our warehouse and are shipped as soon as we receive your order.

Need larger quantities? No problem. Thanks to our own production and large standard stock, we can deliver quickly in any quantity.

Gel ice packs 400 g

The 400 g gel ice pack is our best-selling ice pack and the standard choice for chilled shipping. Use one pack per 5 litres of box volume to keep a shipment at temperature for 24 hours; double that for 48 hours or frozen transport. Supplied in outer cartons of 40, straight from stock.

Why 400 grams

200 g is too light for a standard shipping box, while 1000 g makes the parcel needlessly heavy and expensive. At 400 g, cooling capacity and postage costs are in balance. In a thick-walled EPS box at 25 °C, a 400 g gel pack stays below 0 °C for about 30 hours and below 8 °C for up to 48 hours.

Use

Freeze the packs flat and separately at -18 °C or colder, not stacked. A 400 g pack is fully frozen after 12 to 24 hours. Place the packs on top of the product: cold sinks.

Single-use freezer packs and cool packs

A single-use freezer pack (also called a cool pack) is the cheapest way to ship chilled goods when the packaging does not come back to you. Lower weight, lower unit price and no return logistics.

Single-use or reusable?

If you ship to consumers or end customers with no return flow, a gel ice pack is the right choice. If you run fixed routes or work with a deposit or crate system where the packaging comes back, a hard cooling element pays for itself: it lasts hundreds of freezing cycles.

Cost per shipment

For single use, only the unit price plus the weight you send along counts. A gel pack is cheaper per piece than a hard element and weighs less, which directly reduces your parcel rate.

Disposal

Let the pack thaw and dispose of it with general waste. The film is LDPE (code 04). Do not cut the film open and do not pour the gel down the drain.

Guides & advice: Gel ice packs

Trusted by international airlines and pharmaceutical companies

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an ice pack, icepack and gel pack?
None. Ice pack, icepack and gel pack are all names for the same thing: a gel-filled cooling element that you freeze and place with your product to keep it chilled. We use the term gel pack or ice pack, but you will also find them listed as cooling packs.
How long can you use and reuse an ice pack?
A gel-based ice pack is reusable: you can refreeze it hundreds of times without any loss of quality. For each shipment, a frozen ice pack typically maintains the temperature for up to 48 hours, depending on the insulation, ambient temperature and number of packs used. Dispose of any damaged pack. The gel is non-toxic but not intended for contact with unpackaged products.
How long can ice packs maintain the temperature?
Gel-based ice packs can typically keep the temperature stable for up to 48 hours, depending on factors such as the insulation value of the packaging, the outside temperature, and the number of packs used.
What are the key features of ice packs for transport?
Our ice packs offer a range of benefits for the safe and efficient transport of temperature-sensitive products. They maintain a stable temperature, provide excellent cooling performance, are easy to use, and are sustainable.
How do you use ice packs?
Freezing the ice packs and placing them with the products requires no specialized tools or skills. They are designed with leak-proof caps and a sturdy construction to prevent leakage and damage.
Are ice packs reusable?
Yes, thanks to the sturdy plastic casing, our ice packs are reusable. They can be frozen and reused multiple times without any loss of quality, making them a sustainable solution.
What is the delivery time?
All products we offer online are delivered from stock within 3 working days. Order before 14:00 = shipped the same day.
What is the difference between ice packs and ice pack sheets?
Standard ice packs are thick gel packs (200 g to 1000 g) for general use. Ice pack sheets are thin sheets with multiple cells, suited to flat products such as sushi, fish fillets and charcuterie.
Which grammage should I choose?
200 g for small parcels and short shipments. 400 g is the best-selling size for regular food and pharma shipments. 600 to 1000 g for larger boxes, long transit times or frozen products.
Are ice packs suitable for pharma?
Yes, for standard 2 to 8 °C medication and pharmaceutical products. For strict temperature ranges (vaccines), PCM packs are often a better choice, as they keep a specific temperature stable.
Is the gel in a gel pack toxic?
No. The gel is non-toxic and meets the requirements for food contact materials. If the pack is damaged, the gel stays inside the film, so no moisture reaches your product. The gel is not meant to be eaten and should be kept out of reach of children.
Should I choose a single-use gel pack or a hard cooling element?
If you ship without returns, a gel pack is the cheapest choice: lower weight, lower unit price and no return logistics. If the shipment comes back to you, as with fixed routes or deposit systems, a hard cooling element pays for itself because it lasts hundreds of freeze cycles.
How many gel packs do I need per box?
Rule of thumb for a thick-walled EPS box at 25 degrees outside: 1 gel pack of 400 g per 5 litres of volume for 24 hours of chilled transport. For 48 hours or frozen shipments, double that. Place the gel packs on top of the product, because cold sinks.
How do I dispose of used gel packs?
Let the gel pack thaw and dispose of it with general waste. Do not cut the film open and do not flush the gel down the sink or toilet, because the gel can thicken in the drain. The film is LDPE (code 04).
Gel packs or dry ice?
Gel packs hold a chilled range of 2 to 8 degrees and suit almost all food and pharma shipments. Dry ice reaches about minus 78 degrees and is only needed for long-distance deep-frozen transport. Dry ice is classed as a dangerous substance and is subject to additional rules for air and parcel transport.

Questions or need a custom solution?

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