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Cooling elements

Gel packs (also known as freezer packs, rigid cooling packs or reusable cooling blocks) in 200, 400 and 750 grams — also available as large gel packs, reusable hundreds of times, leak-proof and available directly from stock. Combine them with our Polystyrene Boxes for complete cold chain packaging.

Since 1972

Production in the Netherlands

Shipped before 2:00 PM

From our own stock

Custom solutions + advice

Response within 1 day

Directly from stock

3 products available for immediate delivery.

For food and pharmaceuticals

Complies with EU food safety guidelines.

Order on invoice

Business customers: 30-day payment term.

Buy cooling elements — choose the right size

Cooling elements — also called freezer elements, gel cooling elements or hard cool packs — are essential for chilled shipping or temporarily cooling products such as food, medicines or temperature-sensitive goods. At Cooled Solutions you can choose from 200g, 400g and 750g cooling elements, ideal for various applications and shipping periods. All available directly from stock, reusable and leak-free.

Comparing cooling elements: weight & application

200 gram — for small parcels

Suitable for small parcels and short transports. Ideal for e-commerce shipments of pharma products, small meal boxes or fish fillets.

400 gram — the standard

Standard shipments and medium-sized packaging. Best-selling size — perfect for regular food and pharma shipments with standardised cooling time.

750 gram — large cooling elements for large shipments

Larger packaging and longer running times. These large cooling elements are ideal for pallet-level cooling, frozen transport and multi-day shipments.

How do you use cooling elements?

Fully freeze cooling elements in advance in the freezer, so they can hold maximum cold. After freezing, place them together with the product in the insulating packaging or cool box. The combination of good insulation and sufficient cooling capacity determines how long your products stay at the right temperature.

Cooling elements are perfectly suited for passive temperature control — ideal when active cooling (such as electric cooling units) is not an option. With the right cooling elements and EPS insulation, you maintain safe temperature zones during transport and storage.

Advantages over gel packs

Professional use: In professional environments, hard cooling elements are used more often than gel packs. Companies choose them because they perform more reliably and consistently with regular transport. Where gel packs are mainly handy for single use, cooling elements prove themselves in daily logistics processes.

Sturdy construction: Hard plastic housing instead of a flexible film bag. The risk of tearing or leaking is virtually nil, even with rough transport or repeated dropping. Ideal for situations in which parcels are moved or stacked a lot.

Sustainability and reuse: Thanks to the robust design, cooling elements last much longer than gel packs. You can reuse them hundreds of times without loss of quality. This saves costs in the long term and means less waste.

Long-lasting cooling performance: Depending on the application and the insulation used, cooling elements can provide constant cooling for between 24 and 72 hours. This long-lasting cooling capacity is highly valuable for multi-day transports or international shipments.

Why buy cooling elements from Cooled Solutions?

Own Dutch production: Our cooling elements are produced in our own Dutch factory. 100% leak-free, food-safe and suitable for pharmaceutical use. Sustainable, high quality, from our own production.

Directly from stock: Order before 2:00 pm? Then we send your cooling elements the same working day. You often have them within 1-2 working days — even large quantities.

Custom work possible: As a Dutch manufacturer, we can supply cooling elements in specific dimensions or with different properties if desired. Get in touch on +31 (0) 255 234 200.

Frequently asked questions

What are gel packs?
Cooling elements (also known as freezer packs or rigid ice packs) are hard plastic elements filled with a cooling liquid or gel. You place them in the freezer in advance, after which they act as a passive cooling source to keep products chilled temporarily during transport or storage.
What is inside a cooling element?
A cooling element is filled with water supplemented with a superabsorbent gel or salt mixture, often based on cellulose or a sodium compound. This gel ensures that the element stays cold longer than ordinary frozen water and does not leak out if the casing is damaged. Our gel packs are non-toxic and food-safe.
How do you use gel packs?
First, place the gel packs fully in the freezer until they are frozen. Then position them together with the product in insulated packaging such as a Polystyrene Box or insulated liner to maintain a stable temperature. Preferably place them on top of the product, as cold air sinks.
How many gel packs do I need in a cooler?
As a rule of thumb, use at least two 400-gram gel packs for a standard cool box or Polystyrene Box. For longer transport times, hot days, or a larger box, use more or choose heavier (750g) packs. The fuller and more tightly you pack, the better the result.
How long do gel packs stay cold?
The cooling duration depends on the weight of the gel pack, the amount of insulation, and the ambient temperature. Heavier gel packs combined with good insulation remain cold for 24–72 hours.
Are gel packs reusable?
Yes, gel packs are designed for repeated use. They can be frozen hundreds of times without any noticeable reduction in cooling performance.
What is the difference between gel packs and gel packs?
Gel packs have a hard casing and are highly dimensionally stable and leak-proof. Ice packs are more flexible and fit more easily around products. For structural and intensive use, gel packs are often the most sustainable choice.
What size do I need?
200g for small parcels and short transports. 400g for standard shipments (most popular). 750g (large gel packs) for larger packaging and longer transit times.
What is the delivery time?
Order before 2:00 PM = shipped today from our factory in the Netherlands. For large-volume purchases, we recommend contacting us for competitive volume discounts.
Mag ik koelelementen tegen het product aan leggen?
Bij vriesgevoelige producten niet rechtstreeks: leg er een laag karton of folie tussen. Koude zakt naar beneden, dus leg de elementen bij voorkeur bovenop de lading in plaats van eronder.
Hoe vries ik koelelementen het snelst door?
Leg ze los naast elkaar in de vriezer, niet gestapeld. Gestapeld duurt volledig doorvriezen aanzienlijk langer, en een element dat vanbinnen nog niet bevroren is geeft onderweg veel minder koude af dan u denkt.
Wat doe ik met een lekkend koelelement?
Voer het af met het restafval. De inhoud is niet giftig, maar een lek element vult zich met lucht en isoleert niet meer betrouwbaar. Lekte het al bij levering, meld dat dan bij ons met een foto.
Hoe vries ik koelelementen goed in?
Leg ze los en plat in de vriezer bij minimaal min 18 graden, niet gestapeld. Gestapelde elementen vriezen in de kern niet door en leveren dan een fractie van hun koelcapaciteit.
Welk gewicht heb ik nodig?
Kleinere elementen voor kleine dozen en korte trajecten, zwaardere elementen voor grotere dozen, lange transittijden of bevroren verzending. Meer koelmassa betekent langere koelduur, maar ook meer gewicht in uw zending.
Zijn koelelementen veilig bij levensmiddelen?
De vulling is non-toxic en de harde behuizing blijft gesloten, dus er komt geen vocht bij uw product. De inhoud is niet bedoeld om te consumeren. Houd elementen buiten bereik van kinderen en vervang beschadigde exemplaren.
Wat is een eutectische plaat?
Een eutectische plaat is een harde koelplaat gevuld met een zoutoplossing met een vast smeltpunt, bijvoorbeeld -18 °C of 0 °C. Door dat vaste smeltpunt geeft de plaat zijn koude langzamer en op een constantere temperatuur af dan een gelpack. Ze worden vooral gebruikt in vis-, catering- en koeriertransport en zijn honderden keren herbruikbaar.
Wat is een icepack?
Een icepack of gelpack is een flexibele zak gevuld met koelgel die u invriest en als koudebron in de verpakking legt. Een koelelement doet hetzelfde met een harde kunststof behuizing. Icepacks van 200 tot 1000 gram houden een zending, afhankelijk van de isolatie, 24 tot 72 uur koud.

Questions or need a custom solution?

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

Before 2:00 PM = todayFast delivery from stock
Safely packagedControlled quality
Need advice?+31 (0) 255 234 200
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.