These are the different types of shape-retaining cooling elements from Coolpack

Dimensionally stable cooling elements are cooling elements that retain their shape, even when not frozen. Handy if you want to make the best possible use of the space in your packaging and freezer. Which shape-retaining cooling elements can you distinguish? And which one is best for your application? We’ll take you through it in this article. 

Cooling elements for every temperature 

In this article we are talking about cooling elements, which have a standard solidification and melting point at 0 °C. But did you know that we can also fill all shape-retaining cooling elements and tray packs with a Phase Change Material filling with solidification and melting point at a temperature of -65 °C to +89 °C? Two runners for frozen food are the –21°C and –16°C fillings. These have been validated for frozen transports of, for example, foodstuffs that must remain below the critical limit of -12 °C. At plus temperature we regularly supply solutions for +3 °C, +5 °C, +18 °C and +22 °C. These are used, for example, for medicine transport. More about Phase Change Material – abbreviated as PCM – can be found on our knowledge platform phasechangematerial.nl/en. 

Prepare the 0 °C cooling element by freezing them at -18 °C for at least 24 hours before use. Wondering how to prepare a PCM element for a different temperature? Check out the infographic in our download center or contact us. 

Dimensionally stable cooling elements for single use 

Although we are moving towards a circular economy where reuse is increasingly becoming the norm (see this article about temperature-controlled reverse logistics), the reality is that a lot of single-use packaging is still used, simply because no return flows have been set up. 

In those cases it is of course a shame to use a hard plastic cooling element, but it can still be nice that the shape is stable. That is why we produce the following disposable cooling elements on location in Assendelft: 

• Sponge packs: these are tray packs that are filled with a sponge in addition to a cooling gel. The sponge is somewhat flexible, but always returns to its original shape. 
• Foam bricks: these are tray packs that are filled with a foam brick in addition to a cooling gel. These are not flexible and retain their shape. 

Although these are very suitable for single use, the Spongepacks and Foambricks are also suitable for reuse due to the strong PA-PE foil. Keep a close eye on whether the foil is still undamaged. Coolpack also supplies well-insulating EPS polystyrene boxes. 

Reusable shape-retaining cooling elements 

Have you set up your logistics process in such a way that you can use return flows and reuse packaging materials? Awesome! Then we recommend that you use our strong, reusable cooling elements and cooling plates. 

• Cooling elements: the well-known blue cooling elements are available in different shapes and sizes. 
• Cooling plates: plates that fit exactly in your packaging or installation, so that you can efficiently cool a large area. Available from stock in ½ gastronorm, 1/1 gastronorm and 6 liter plate. 

These are made of HDPE, a 100% recyclable material. Do you want to take steps in sustainability? Then you can also choose to make the cooling elements and plates in rHDPE or biobased HDPE for larger quantities. Get in touch to learn more. 

The EPP cool boxes are ideal in combination with the cooling elements, cooling plates and freezing plates. These insulating packaging boxes are made to keep your goods at the right temperature for as long as possible and the cooling plates with handle and gastronorm 1/1 fit exactly against the walls and in the cooling attachment under the lid. 

Want to order large quantities or get more information? 

A large part of the above products is directly available from stock in small numbers and can be found in the webshop. Do you want to order a specific size, ask for advice or order large quantities? Request a quote via this page or contact us. We are ready for you!