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Polystyrene Boxes (EPS)

An EPS box (also known as polystyrene box, styrofoam shipping box, foam shipping box, Tempex box, insulated foam box or styrofoam cooler) is an insulated shipping box for temperature-sensitive transport. Our EPS boxes and foam coolers come from our own production since 1972 and are available directly from stock. Every EPS box comes with a matching lid as standard, so a styrofoam box with lid is ordered in one go. Separate lids are available on request only. Below you will find all standard sizes with the price shown directly, from thin-wall to thick-wall and with or without drain holes. Need single boxes as a reusable cooler? See our polystyrene cool boxes per piece. As coolant in the box, use our freezer packs from our own production.

Other names for an EPS box

An EPS box is also called an EPS shipping box, EPS cooler, EPS foam cooler or expanded polystyrene box. You will also find it as polystyrene box, styrofoam shipping box, styrofoam box for shipping, foam shipping cooler, insulated box for shipping, insulated foam shipping box or foam insulated shipping container, and as Tempex box. It is always the same product: a box made of expanded polystyrene that insulates your shipment.

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

Response within 1 day

Directly from stock

32 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.

32 products
EPS box 4.7 L, 300 x 200 x 200 mm

EPS box 4.7 L, 300 x 200 x 200 mm

from €3,46
EPS box 5 L, 300 x 200 x 155 mm

EPS box 5 L, 300 x 200 x 155 mm

from €2,16
EPS box 7 L, 305x265x290 mm

EPS box 7 L, 305x265x290 mm

from €8,01
EPS box 7 L, 400 x 300 x 110 mm

EPS box 7 L, 400 x 300 x 110 mm

from €2,67
EPS box 10 L, 400 x 300 x 200 mm

EPS box 10 L, 400 x 300 x 200 mm

from €7,07
EPS box 12 L, 400 x 300 x 155 mm

EPS box 12 L, 400 x 300 x 155 mm

from €3,21
EPS box 15 L, 375 x 375 x 235 mm

EPS box 15 L, 375 x 375 x 235 mm

from €10,97
EPS box 17.5 L, 400 x 300 x 300 mm

EPS box 17.5 L, 400 x 300 x 300 mm

from €8,42
EPS box 19 L, 500 x 300 x 210 mm

EPS box 19 L, 500 x 300 x 210 mm

from €6,12
EPS box 25 L, 600 x 400 x 155 mm

EPS box 25 L, 600 x 400 x 155 mm

from €6,89
EPS box 27 L, 375 x 375 x 375 mm

EPS box 27 L, 375 x 375 x 375 mm

from €15,89
EPS box 30 L, 600 x 400 x 300 mm

EPS box 30 L, 600 x 400 x 300 mm

from €14,82
EPS box 34 L, 600 x 400 x 205 mm

EPS box 34 L, 600 x 400 x 205 mm

from €7,84
EPS box 42 L, 600 x 400 x 270 mm

EPS box 42 L, 600 x 400 x 270 mm

from €9,46
EPS box 45 L, 600 x 400 x 400 mm

EPS box 45 L, 600 x 400 x 400 mm

from €20,18
EPS box 57 L, 605 x 405 x 350 mm

EPS box 57 L, 605 x 405 x 350 mm

from €17,31
EPS box 5 L, 620x230x72 mm - 1 pallet (300 units)

EPS box 5 L, 620x230x72 mm - 1 pallet (300 units)

€4,14 per item €1.242,98 per pallet (300 pieces)
EPS box 8 L, 400x300x104 mm - 1 pallet (240 units)

EPS box 8 L, 400x300x104 mm - 1 pallet (240 units)

€3,33 per item €799,82 per pallet (240 pieces)
EPS box 9 L, 400x300x127 mm, 1 pallet (180 units)

EPS box 9 L, 400x300x127 mm, 1 pallet (180 units)

€3,89 per item €699,41 per pallet (180 pieces)
EPS box 12 L, 400 x 300 x 151 mm (168 pieces)

EPS box 12 L, 400 x 300 x 151 mm (168 pieces)

€4,18 per item €702,64 per pallet (168 pieces)
EPS box 12 L, 475x300x145 mm - 1 pallet (140 units)

EPS box 12 L, 475x300x145 mm - 1 pallet (140 units)

€5,10 per item €714,50 per pallet (140 pieces)
EPS box 14 L, 400x300x171 mm - 1 pallet (140 units)

EPS box 14 L, 400x300x171 mm - 1 pallet (140 units)

€4,90 per item €685,57 per pallet (140 pieces)
EPS box 16 L, 600x400x122 mm - 1 pallet (80 units)

EPS box 16 L, 600x400x122 mm - 1 pallet (80 units)

€8,25 per item €660,16 per pallet (80 pieces)
EPS box 18 L, 475x300x210 mm - 1 pallet (90 units)

EPS box 18 L, 475x300x210 mm - 1 pallet (90 units)

€6,75 per item €607,37 per pallet (90 pieces)

Buy EPS boxes: styrofoam and Tempex cooler boxes from our own production

EPS boxes, also known as styrofoam boxes, Tempex boxes, insulated boxes or foam boxes, have been the standard for decades when shipping chilled and frozen goods. We make these cooler boxes ourselves and deliver within two working days across the Netherlands and Europe. Above you will find every standard size with a direct price, from a compact 5-litre box to a 173-litre one, in both thin-walled and thick-walled versions.

★★★★★ 4.65 / 5 · based on customer reviews

Own production

Our own production means shorter supply lines and sharper prices.

Ready to ship

Standard sizes are in stock. Order before 14:00 and delivery is usually the next day.

No standard size fits?

We have a large range of existing moulds. Request a quote and we will work out a solution with you.

What is an EPS box?

EPS stands for expanded polystyrene. In everyday speech it is simply called styrofoam, or Tempex after the older brand name. It is one material: a white, light plastic that is about 98% air and 2% polystyrene.

That air does the work. The material is made of millions of tiny closed cells, so heat can barely pass through it. An EPS box works like a wool jumper in winter: it keeps the temperature in, whether cold or warm.

That is why EPS boxes turn up everywhere in the cold chain, from a fish stall at the market to a transatlantic vaccine shipment in an aircraft hold.

You will meet the EPS box under many names: styrofoam box, Tempex box, insulated box, EPS box. As packaging it is also called EPS packaging or foam packaging. Smaller, open versions with a lid are often called foam trays or Tempex trays. They all mean the same thing: a light, insulating package made of expanded polystyrene.

Performance of EPS (styrofoam) cooler boxes

EPS cooler boxes are widely used to ship temperature-sensitive products chilled. The closed cell structure and high insulation value suit a wide range of uses in food, pharma and logistics.

  • Cooling time: up to about 48 hours, depending on wall thickness, gel packs and outside temperature.
  • Insulation: made of roughly 98% air, which gives a high insulation value.
  • Applications: suitable for meat, fish, meals and pharmaceutical products.
  • In practice: widely used by e-commerce food companies and logistics providers.

How does an EPS box work in practice?

The insulation comes from two things at once: the material itself and the way you pack it.

The material. The thicker the wall, the longer the contents stay at temperature. A thin-walled 20 mm EPS box keeps products cool for eight to twelve hours; a thick-walled 40 to 50 mm box with gel packs easily reaches 24 to 48 hours.

The way you pack. Empty space is your enemy. The less air left in the box, the less heat can circulate. So fill the box as tightly as you can and place the gel packs on top of the product. Cold air sinks and cools evenly from above.

Other factors that play a part: the outside temperature, how long the box is in transit, and the number of cooling elements you use. For most parcel shipments within the Netherlands, a thick-walled EPS box with two gel packs is more than enough.

Own production and straight from stock

We make EPS boxes in our own factory. You see that in two places: in the factory where the boxes are made, and in the warehouse where standard sizes wait for delivery within two working days.

Standard orders placed before 14:00 usually leave the building the same day. Full pallet orders are ready for the agreed delivery, even when it is several pallets at once.

Why choose EPS cooler boxes?

High insulation value

The closed air cells in EPS insulate better than cardboard or paper can. Products stay at temperature for a long time, chilled or frozen.

Works well with gel packs

EPS boxes work best together with cooling elements. Gel packs on top of the product keep the temperature stable for hours to days, depending on wall thickness.

Sturdy and shock resistant

The solid structure protects fragile products from pressure and knocks in transport. Suitable for delicate goods such as fish, glass or medical samples.

Light: low shipping costs

EPS is surprisingly light. That cuts the shipping bill straight away, especially for subscription services and e-commerce where every gram counts.

What EPS boxes are used for

EPS boxes are designed to do one job: protect products from temperature swings and from knocks in transport. That makes them suitable for many sectors.

  • Meat, fish and game. Butchers and fish wholesalers have used EPS boxes for decades. For fish, boxes with drain holes are often chosen so meltwater runs away.
  • Meal boxes and meal prep. For subscription services and weekend meals. The low weight keeps shipping costs down.
  • Dairy, cheese and delicatessen. For products too delicate for a paper cooling solution.
  • Flowers, plants and cuttings. Protection against heat peaks in summer and frost in winter.
  • Medicines, vaccines and biological samples. Pharmaceutical distribution with strict cold chain requirements. Blood samples are often packed according to ADR P650.
  • Frozen products. With dry ice, the contents stay frozen for more than 48 hours.
  • E-commerce food and drink. From craft beer to patisserie.

Not sure whether EPS is the right choice for your product? Email us your product type, target temperature and transport time, and we will advise which size and wall thickness works.

Which EPS box do you need?

Three choices decide which box fits best:

1. The size

Pick a box just big enough for your product plus your cooling elements. Too much empty space lowers cooling performance, because less space means less warm air inside. It is better to use a smaller box with matching gel packs than a big box that leaves half empty.

2. The wall thickness

Thin-walled (20 to 30 mm) suits shipments of a few hours to half a day, for example local delivery or next-day delivery within the Netherlands. Thick-walled (30 to 50 mm) is the choice for 24 hours or longer, international shipping, or products with a narrow temperature window such as pharma.

3. With or without drain holes

Drain holes help with products that give off meltwater (fish on ice, some frozen products). For pharma or dry products, choose a sealed version, with no risk of leakage.

Not sure? We send samples so you can run your own test.

How long does an EPS box stay cold?

In practice somewhere between 12 and 48 hours, sometimes longer. The spread is wide because cooling time depends on several things at once. The guide times below come from practical tests with our own boxes at an outside temperature of about 20 °C.

These figures are guidelines, not absolute guarantees. The actual cooling time depends on the outside temperature, how full the box is and the starting temperature of the product. Want to be sure? Order a data logger and measure your own shipping route.

EPS box or insulated bag: which suits better?

Not every cooling package is a box. For some uses an insulated bag, a foldable thermal box or a honeycomb cardboard box works better. For insulation and strength the EPS box wins; for space efficiency and recyclability the alternatives win. The table below sets the properties side by side.

In short. When protection and strength matter as much as insulation, as with meat, fish and fragile pharma, an EPS box remains the safest choice. If you mainly want to save on storage space and on transport costs for empty packaging, an insulated bag or honeycomb box is probably the smarter option.

Why EPS boxes from Cooled Solutions?

We manufacture EPS boxes in our own production, and have done so since 1972. Our foam boxes are used daily by big names in food, pharma and logistics. Companies such as Bayer and Janssen Pharmaceutica choose our cooling packaging for temperature-sensitive transport of medical products. KLM, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines and Emirates use them in their cargo logistics, and Ahold in its retail chain.

  • Short lines, own production. Because we make the boxes ourselves, you speak directly to someone who knows how an EPS box is made and what works best in your situation.
  • Own production plus stock. Standard sizes are ready to ship. With our own production capacity and a large range of moulds, we can often find a box close to the size you want, even when it is not in our standard range.
  • Fast delivery. Standard orders within 2 working days, including full pallet volumes.
  • Advice that goes beyond the box. We think along on the whole package: box, cooling elements, outer carton and label. We often save customers 10 to 20% on packaging costs through smarter choices in the combination.

EPS Boxes with Lids

All our EPS boxes (polystyrene boxes) are supplied with a matching lid. Box and lid fit tightly together, because a gap is exactly where the cold escapes.

Why the fit matters

With an insulated box, the weak point is almost always the seam. A lid that fits just slightly too loosely costs you more cooling time than a few millimetres of extra wall thickness gains. Our lids are made to fit the box in each size.

Extra security in transit

For shipments that are handled a lot, you can secure the lid with tape or an outer cardboard carton. This stops the lid coming loose if the box is dropped and protects the edges.

Loose lids on request

Only need a lid, for example because you reuse boxes? Ask us and we can supply lids separately on request.

Sizes

Available from 4.7 to 173 litres, in thin-walled and thick-walled versions. For longer journeys, choose thick-walled.

EPS Boxes for Food

EPS boxes for food (styrofoam boxes) keep meat, fish, dairy and meals at temperature during transport and storage. EPS is widely used for packaging and chilled shipping of food and does not absorb moisture or odours. We are happy to answer questions about conformity for your application.

Why EPS for food

Polystyrene has a closed cell structure: there is no space where moisture or bacteria can build up. The box does not soak up juices and therefore stays hygienic, even with fish and meat.

With or without drain holes

For fish and products that give off meltwater, choose a box with drain holes so that liquid can run away. For liquid products, or when you want everything to stay inside, choose a version without drain holes.

Choosing a size

Our boxes range from 4.7 to 173 litres. Choose a size that will be well filled: a full box holds its temperature considerably longer than a half-full one. Otherwise, fill the remaining space.

Add cooling

A box insulates, but it does not cool. Allow one 400 g gel pack per 5 litres of volume for 24 hours of chilled transport, and place the packs on top of the product.

EPS Boxes for Catering and Foodservice

Insulated cool boxes for catering and foodservice: for delivering prepared meals, fresh produce and catering, and for temporary storage when the cold room is full.

Delivery and catering

An EPS box keeps meals at temperature on the journey to the venue. For hot dishes, the same insulation works the other way round: the box slows cooling down just as well as it slows warming up.

Working with fixed sizes

Work with one or two fixed box sizes instead of ten different ones. This saves storage space, makes packing faster and keeps your purchasing manageable.

Hygiene

EPS is widely used for packaging and chilled shipping of food and does not absorb moisture or odours. We are happy to answer questions about conformity for your application. For products that give off meltwater, choose a version with drain holes.

Ordering by the pallet

If you regularly use large quantities, ordering by the pallet is considerably cheaper than ordering by the outer carton. Request a quote with your annual volume.

Guides & advice: Polystyrene Boxes (EPS)

In practice

Used by Bayer, Janssen Pharmaceutica, KLM, Lufthansa, Emirates and Ahold

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between EPS, polystyrene foam and Tempex?
None. They are three words for the same material: expanded polystyrene. EPS is the technical abbreviation, polystyrene foam the common name, and Tempex an old brand name that has become generic, just as people call tissues 'Kleenex'. In the US it is often called styrofoam.
When do I choose thin wall and when thick wall?
Thin wall is enough for short, lightly chilled trips and saves on price and on pallet volume. Thick wall insulates longer and is the choice for long transports, high outside temperatures or frozen goods. Both are listed with direct unit prices in the thin-wall and thick-wall collections.
Where can I buy polystyrene?
Direct from us. Cooled Solutions has had its own production since 1972 and supplies EPS boxes in all standard sizes directly from stock. Order before 14:00 and delivery is usually the next day. You can easily order online by size, or request a quote for pallet quantities and larger volumes.
How long does an EPS box stay cold?
Between 12 and 48 hours, depending on wall thickness, the number of gel packs, ambient temperature and how full the box is. A thin-walled box with 2 gel packs achieves 8 to 12 hours; a thick-walled box with 4 gel packs achieves 36 to 48 hours. With dry ice in a thick-walled box, you can achieve 48 to 72 hours of frozen transport.
Is an EPS box frost-proof?
Yes. EPS (expanded polystyrene) is frost-proof and retains its insulating properties even at sub-zero temperatures. EPS boxes are therefore used for shipping frozen products with dry ice or gel packs down to −20 °C. The material does not become brittle in the cold and reliably protects the contents against temperature fluctuations.
Are EPS boxes waterproof?
EPS itself absorbs virtually no water, but under pressure, water can leak through between the wall and the lid. For wet products (fresh fish, meat with juices), use an inner bag, or choose a version with drainage holes so that meltwater can drain away.
Can I recycle EPS boxes?
Yes. Clean EPS is 100% recyclable at specialized collection points. The material is compacted and reused, including in new insulation products and in construction. Ask your municipality for the nearest EPS collection point.
What alternatives are there to EPS boxes?
There are several alternatives to EPS (polystyrene) boxes: EPP boxes (sturdier and reusable), honeycomb cardboard cool boxes (fully recyclable with the waste paper) and foldable thermal boxes (space saving in storage). Which solution fits best depends on transport duration, sustainability goals and budget. We supply all variants from stock.
Which is better: a polystyrene box with or without drain holes?
Drain holes are useful if your product releases moisture, for example fish on melting ice. The meltwater can drain away, preventing the contents from sitting in a pool of water. Choose packaging without drain holes for dry products, pharmaceuticals, or when you do not want to risk any leakage.
Which size EPS box do I need?
Choose a box that is just large enough for your product plus cooling elements. Empty space reduces cooling performance and adds unnecessary shipping costs. Unsure between two sizes? Order samples. We supply them for your own test.
Can I use EPS boxes for warm transport?
Yes. Insulation works both ways. Hot meals, soup and catering dishes stay at temperature for hours in an EPS box. Many meal delivery companies use EPS for this.
Are EPS boxes suitable for pharmaceutical transport and cold chain?
Yes, and it is one of the largest applications of EPS. Pharmaceutical distributors such as Bayer and Janssen Pharmaceutica use our EPS boxes for temperature-sensitive medicines. Thanks to its high insulation value, dimensional stability and relative affordability, EPS has been a standard for cold chain transport in the 2-8 °C range for decades. Blood samples and biological materials are often packaged in accordance with ADR P650.
Do you also provide custom solutions?
Fully custom packaging, which means a new mould, is only cost-effective from trailer-volume quantities. However, over the years we have built up an extensive range of moulds, so even if the size you need is not listed in our webshop, there is often an existing mould that comes very close. Send us the internal dimensions and wall thickness you require and we will be happy to advise.
What does an EPS box cost?
Our standard sizes start at around €1.70 each (5L thin-walled) and go up to €15.03 (45L thick-walled). When ordering by the pallet, unit prices drop significantly. View the prices per size above, or request a quote for larger volumes.
How do I combine an EPS box with gel packs?
Place gel packs on top of the product, not underneath. Cold air sinks, so placing the packs higher up cools the contents evenly from top to bottom. For longer transit times or hot summer days, add an extra gel pack to the side.

Questions or need a custom solution?

Call our advisors or request a quote. Personal advice within 1 business day, with no obligations.

Request a quote Call +31 (0) 255 234 200
Before 2:00 PM = todayFast delivery from stock
Safely packagedControlled quality
Need advice?info@cooledsolutions.com
On invoiceFor business customers

Not sure which packaging you need?

Our buying guide or a conversation with our advisors will help you quickly move forward.

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