In order for certain products to arrive at their destination in optimum condition, chilled transport is crucial. One of the ways to ship your goods in a cooled state is by using shape-retaining cooling elements. De Ridder Packaging offers shape-retaining cooling elements in all shapes and sizes. Because of this wide range, it can be difficult to determine which shape-retaining cooling element is the most suitable for your application. We will therefore tell you more about the various types and applications of the cooling elements.
What are shape-retaining cooling elements?
As the name suggests, shape-retaining chilled elements are coolants which retain their shape both in frozen and unfrozen condition. This is different from, for example, gel packs, which are flexible when unfrozen and can therefore change shape. Especially when there is little room for play in the packaging or during the freezing process, shape-retaining cooling elements are recommended.
Cooling elements are suitable for repeated use
Another characteristic of shape-retaining chilled elements is that they are strong and durable. This ensures that the cooling elements are suitable for repeated use. This is ideal for transports with a return procedure. Not all types of shape-retaining chilled elements are equally suitable for repeated use. For example, cooling blocks and cooling plates are more suitable for multiple use than spongepacks and foam bricks. The reason for this is that cooling blocks and cooling plates have a shape-retaining outer surface and are therefore less vulnerable.
Cooling elements for refrigerated or conditioned transport
shape-retaining cooling elements are used for chilled (or conditioned) transport of goods. You can think of different types of products that need to be transported protected from A to B. Sectors in which shape-retaining cooling elements are often used are the food industry (think of supermarkets, fish, meat and AGF), web shops and the medical sector (pharmacy and blood transport).
Which transports can be bridged with cooling elements?
The shape-retaining cooling elements are generally used for transports of up to 24 hours. Depending on the type of packaging and the amount of cooling, longer transports can also be well bridged. The regular cooling elements are designed to transport goods between 2 and 8 degrees. Phase Change Material can be a solution for other temperature ranges. With this, temperatures of -21 to +20 degrees Celsius can be achieved. The De Ridder cooling elements are non-toxic and food proof. This means that the gel can come into contact with food, without posing a danger to health.
Why and when are shape-retaining cooling elements the ideal solution?
The shape-retaining cooling elements are the ideal solution when you only have limited space available in the packaging. Furthermore, the shape-retaining cooling elements are suitable for transport with a return flow: the cooling elements lend themselves well to repeated use because they are made of sturdy material.
Which shape-retaining cooling element do you need?
There are various possibilities within the shape-retaining chilled elements. There are various types of cooling elements, such as cooling blocks, cooling plates, foam bricks and spongepacks. To ensure that you can make the right choice, we will explain the various types of cooling elements in more detail. For additional advice, you can always contact our experts, who will be happy to think along with you about a customised solution.
Cooling blocks: strong and durable cooling agents
We offer cooling blocks in a wide range of dimensions. This ensures that there is a suitable format for every application. Is the size you want not among them? Then please contact us for information about the possibilities for customised work. The cooling blocks can be filled with different types of cooling gel, which makes them suitable for refrigerated transport from -21 to +20 degrees Celsius. The cooling blocks are often used in the pharmaceutical industry, the camping industry, the food industry, retail and by web shops. Because the cooling blocks are reusable, they are extremely suitable for deliveries with a return procedure.
Cooling plates: ideal for cool boxes or cooling containers
The cooling plates are also strong, durable cooling elements. The plates are ideal for use in cool boxes or refrigerated containers. The cooling plates are also widely used for ice cream carts or catering, as they allow the user to keep products at temperature without electricity. The cooling plates are available for an operating temperature of up to -21 degrees Celsius. They are available in several standard sizes. The gastronorm cooling plates are very popular among caterers, market vendors and transporters of fresh or frozen products. A number of cooling trays also contain a handle, making them easy to use.
Foambricks: shape-retaining under all temperature conditions
Foambricks offer a thermal solution for transporting temperature-sensitive products. A foam brick consists of a block of foam, cooling gel and a strong, vacuum packed casing. Due to the use of materials and the vacuum packaging, both the weight and the shape of this type of cooling element are consistent under various conditions. Especially in the medical sector, the foam brick is frequently used. This is because the elements retain their shape under all temperature conditions, and therefore fit well in compact spaces.
The foam bricks are supplied in various standard sizes, but there are also possibilities for customised solutions. You can also opt for a version with bubble foil on top, for example, to provide extra protection for vulnerable medicines during transport or to prevent freezing damage. In addition, the foambricks can be filled with both standard cooling gel and Phase Change Material (PCM), allowing you to transport your goods at many different temperatures. You can read more about PCM and the possibilities of this special cooling gel later in this brochure.
Spongepacks: always returns to its original shape
The Spongepack is similar to the Foambrick in many ways. However, the spongepack is characterised by the fact that a sponge filling is used instead of a foam filling. This makes the sponge pack more flexible when not frozen. Moreover, the sponge pack will always return to its original shape, where this is not the case with a foam stick. The sponge packs are supplied in various standard sizes, but there are also possibilities for custom-made solutions. You can also opt for a version with bubble wrap on the top, for example, to provide extra protection for vulnerable medicines during transport or to prevent freezing damage. Moreover, the spongepacks can be filled with both standard cooling gel and Phase Change Material (PCM), which allows you to transport your goods at many different temperatures.
Personalise your cooling elements
If required, the cooling elements can also be provided with a suitable label or your own logo. For example, the cooling elements can be printed with your company name or a warning or instruction. At De Ridder Packaging, it is possible to print in one colour when purchasing one box. For larger quantities, it is even possible to print the cooling elements in full colour.
Are you interested in personalised cooling elements? Please feel free to contact us. We gladly tell you about the possibilities for customised cooling elements. For other questions about our chilled elements you can always contact our experts.
