The same cold chain packaging often has several names, depending on the industry. This glossary shows you from A to Z what is behind terms such as insulated shipping box, EPS box, gel ice pack and insulated pallet cover, under which names you may know the products and where you will find them. We have manufactured them in our own production since 1972.
Terms starting with C
Cardboard cooler
A cardboard cooler is a paper alternative to polystyrene foam. It is also called a cardboard cooler box or paper cool box. View the cardboard coolers.
Cargo blanket
Cargo blanket, thermal cargo blanket and insulated cargo blanket are air freight names for the insulated pallet cover. Thermal blanket, pallet shroud and air cargo cover belong to the same group.
Cold pack
Cold pack, cool pack and cooling pack are other names for the gel ice pack. You freeze it and add it to the shipment.
Container liner
A container liner is an insulating lining for the inside of a sea container. It protects the cargo against temperature fluctuations. We supply liners for the sizes 20DV, 40DV, 40HC and 45HC. If you are searching for the topic itself, you will find terms such as shipping container insulation, sea container insulation or insulating a shipping container from the inside. View the container liners.
Terms starting with E
EPP box
An EPP box is a reusable insulated box made of expanded polypropylene. It is also called an EPP cooler box. View the EPP boxes.
EPS box
An EPS box is an insulating box made of expanded polystyrene, commonly known as styrofoam. It is used to ship food, pharmaceutical products and other temperature-sensitive products chilled or frozen. These products are also called EPS shipping box, EPS cooler, styrofoam shipping box, polystyrene box and insulated foam shipping box. View all EPS boxes.
Terms starting with F
Flexible gel pack
Flexible gel pack, flexible gel ice pack and flexible ice pack are other names for the ice pack sheet.
Foam cooler
Foam cooler is another name for the EPS box made of expanded polystyrene. It is also called styrofoam cooler, EPS foam cooler or foam shipping box.
Freezer pack
The freezer pack is the hard variant of the ice pack. You can freeze freezer packs many times and reuse them. They are also called cooling elements. View the freezer packs.
Terms starting with G
Gel ice pack
A gel ice pack is a pack filled with gel that you freeze and add to the shipment to keep the contents cool. Gel ice pack, gel pack and ice pack mean the same product. It is also called a cooling pack. View all gel ice packs.
Gel mat
Gel mat, gel ice sheet and ice mat are other names for the ice pack sheet. It is also called cooling sheet or ice sheet.
Terms starting with H
Honeycomb cooler box
The honeycomb cooler box is a cardboard insulated box with air channels. It is 100% recyclable and lightweight. View the honeycomb cooler boxes.
Terms starting with I
Ice pack
An ice pack is a cooling pack filled with gel. You freeze it and add it to the shipment to keep the contents cool. Other spellings are ice packs and icepack. View all ice packs.
Ice pack sheet
An ice pack sheet is a thin sheet with multiple cells. You submerge it in water and then freeze it. You use it to ship parcels chilled. Ice pack sheets and ice pack XL are also common. View the ice pack sheets.
Insulated bag
An insulated bag, or insulated shipping bag, is a flexible, insulating bag for chilled shipping of meat, fish, meals and pharmaceutical products. Our insulated bags are available in 2-layer, 4-layer and 6-layer versions. They are a flexible alternative to the EPS box. The insulated bag is also called thermal bag, isothermal bag, insulated pouch or cool bag. View all insulated shipping bags.
Insulated cardboard box
The insulated cardboard box is made of paper and cardboard with Isoliner paper insulation sheets. It is 100% recyclable and plastic-free. View the insulated cardboard boxes.
Insulated mailer
An insulated mailer is an envelope made of bubble film with a reflective aluminum layer and an adhesive strip. It is meant for small, temperature-sensitive shipments, such as medicines, laboratory samples, food and cosmetics. It is also called insulated shipping envelope, insulated bubble mailer, thermal envelope for shipping, isothermal envelope or cold mailer. View all insulated mailers.
Insulated pallet cover
An insulated pallet cover is an insulating cover that is placed over a pallet, roll container or other cargo to limit temperature fluctuations, including in air freight. There are covers for euro pallets, block pallets, roll containers, IBCs and drums. It is also called thermal pallet cover, insulated pallet blanket or thermal pallet blanket. View all insulated pallet covers.
Insulated shipping box
Insulated shipping box is the broad name for boxes that protect temperature-sensitive shipments. It covers the EPS box, the cardboard cooler and the foldable thermal box.
Terms starting with P
Polystyrene box
Polystyrene box is another name for the EPS box, made of expanded polystyrene. A single box with lid is also available as a polystyrene cool box.
Terms starting with S
Styrofoam cooler
Styrofoam cooler is another name for a light, reusable EPS box with a fitted lid. You will find it per piece as polystyrene cool box, and in larger quantities as EPS box.
Styrofoam shipping box
The styrofoam shipping box is an insulating box for food, pharmaceutical products and other temperature-sensitive goods. Styrofoam shipping box, styrofoam box and EPS box refer to the same product. View all EPS boxes.
Terms starting with T
Tempex box
Tempex is an old brand name for polystyrene foam, so a Tempex box is the same type of product as an EPS box. View the Tempex boxes.
Thermal box
The thermal box, also called thermal shipping box or foldable thermal box, consists of a cardboard outer box and an insulated bag with 4 or 6 layers. View the thermal boxes.
Thermal cover
Thermal cover and air cargo thermal cover are air freight names for the insulated pallet cover.
Thermal pallet cover
Thermal pallet cover, thermal cover and insulated pallet cover are names of the same insulated pallet cover. These names come from air freight.
Terms starting with U
ULD cover
ULD cover and ULD thermal cover are air freight names for the insulated pallet cover.
Frequently asked questions about cold chain packaging
Is Tempex the same as EPS?
Yes. Tempex is an old brand name for polystyrene foam, so for expanded polystyrene (EPS). A Tempex box and an EPS box are the same type of product. You will find them at the EPS boxes.
Is a cool bag the same as an insulated bag?
Yes. Cool bag, insulated bag, thermal bag and isothermal bag are different names for a bag that protects the temperature of your shipment. Read more at the insulated shipping bags.
What is the difference between an ice pack and a freezer pack?
An ice pack is a pack filled with gel, also called gel pack or cool pack. The freezer pack is the hard variant that you can freeze many times and reuse.