Gel packs, icepack or coolpack: the same products, different names
A gel pack is a sealed bag with gel that you freeze and add to your shipment to keep contents cool without creating meltwater. Icepack, coolpack and gel pack are different names for the same product: they are all filled with gel, which also explains the name gel pack. Below you can read which spellings you encounter, what they refer to and where a cooling element or cooling block is something different.
Gel pack, icepack and coolpack: one product, multiple names
If you search online for a cooling product for a package, you'll find the same bag under several names. On our product pages it literally says: gel pack, cool pack, gel packs and gel pack are different names for the same product. You'll also encounter the spellings icepack and icepacks as one word, which mean that flexible gel bag. In English you also hear gel pack, ice pack and coolpack. With a gel pack, multiple gel packs or a gel ice pack it's the same filled bag, just with emphasis on the contents.
Spellings like ice-pack, cool bag, cold pack and cold packs are also found, for example in search queries, quotation requests and shopping lists. Whether such a name means exactly the same product for you depends on what else is in the request. So always check the weight, dimensions and material. The name alone says little, the product data says everything.
What sizes are there for gel packs?
All our gel packs are made of sturdy PE, white in colour, and are supplied in cartons. The weights range from 200 to 1000 grams. The heavier the pack, the larger it is and the fewer units fit in a carton.
| Weight | Dimension | Per carton | Per pallet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 grams | 120 x 150 mm | 80 pieces | 3200 pieces |
| 300 grams | 120 x 180 mm | 60 pieces | 2400 pieces |
| 400 grams | 120 x 210 mm | 40 pieces | 1600 pieces |
| 500 grams | 120 x 220 mm | 35 pieces | 1400 pieces |
| 600 grams | 120 x 240 mm | 30 pieces | 1200 pieces |
| 1000 grams | 150 x 275 mm | 18 pieces | 720 pieces |
Which size fits your carton is determined by the space you have available. A 200 gram pack fits in a small package or bag, the 1000 gram variant is designed for longer transport times and larger volumes.
What is the difference between a gel pack and a cooling block?
This is where most confusion arises. A cooling element is a hard variant: sturdy plastic housing instead of a flexible film bag. Cooling elements are also called freezer elements, hard gel packs or reusable cooling blocks. When people talk about cooling blocks, they usually mean this hard type, which is reusable hundreds of times. There are cooling elements of 200, 400 and 750 grams.
A gel pack is flexible and adapts to the shape of your product. While gel packs are especially handy if you don't expect to get them back, cooling elements are designed for those who do the same shipment daily. For a comparison, read our article hard cooling element or gel pack.
A third variant is the PCM pack. A PCM pack emits a constant temperature of minus 18 °C, while a gel pack emits 0 °C. If you are shipping frozen goods, a PCM pack is a good choice. And if you want a flat cooling mat instead of a bag, check out our gel pack sheets.
What do all gel packs and coolpacks have in common?
Regardless of the name, they share the same properties:
- Filled with gel that does not release as loose water when thawed, so no meltwater in your package.
- Leak-proof, even if the packaging is damaged: the gel stays in the bag.
- Non-toxic and safe when in direct contact with food.
- Suitable for air freight, postal shipment and chilled ground transport.
- Reusable multiple times thanks to the thick PE material.
That's why they are used in the food industry, with fish and meat, in the produce sector and in the pharmaceutical and medical industry, wherever dry ice is not practical.
How to choose from all these names when ordering
For a gel pack, a cold pack or a coolpack, it doesn't matter which word you type in the search bar as long as you compare the right specifications side by side. Three questions help:
- How big is your carton? That determines the size and thus the weight.
- Do you use the pack once or do you send it back? That determines whether a gel pack or a cooling element is better.
- Are you shipping chilled or frozen? For frozen shipments, a PCM pack is also an option.
Combine the packs with a polystyrene box for good cooling. How many packs you need per carton, you can read in our calculation method for gel packs. If you're unsure about the name or size, our specialists will help you via +31 (0) 255 234 200.
Frequently asked questions about gel packs
Is a coolpack the same as a gel pack?
Yes. Gel pack, coolpack, cool pack and ice pack are different names for the same product. It is a sealed bag filled with gel.
Are cooling blocks the same as gel packs?
Not quite. Cooling blocks in our data are the reusable, hard cooling elements. A gel pack is the flexible bag. Both cool, but they differ in firmness and how often they come back.
Do gel packs release meltwater?
No. The gel stays solid, even when thawed.
Order gel packs
Order before 14:00 and your order ships the same day. All sizes are immediately available from stock, from our own production since 1972. View our full range of gel packs or request a quotation for larger quantities.
You'll find all the names for this product in our glossary.
