Hydropac is poised to revolutionize cold-chain packaging with the introduction of HydroPure, a water-based ice pack that visibly turns white when fully frozen, providing fulfillment teams with an immediate and unmistakable readiness signal.
Designed specifically for food manufacturers, meal kit delivery services, e-commerce retailers, and pet food companies, HydroPure ensures dependable cooling performance while sidestepping the environmental and economic challenges associated with traditional gel packs. Its key feature is an integrated visual freeze indicator: it starts off black, appearing to ‘crack’ as it freezes, and transitions to a bright white from the center outwards once it achieves the ideal freezing temperature.
This design allows warehouse personnel to quickly confirm that a pack is prepared for use, minimizing guesswork and enhancing consistency in high-volume operations.
As brands reassess their packaging methodologies in light of the UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation, HydroPure offers considerable environmental and commercial benefits. Hydropac has obtained written clarification from Valpak indicating that ice packs filled with water and those filled with gel are classified differently under existing regulations, which could lead to significant reductions in disposal expenses for companies transitioning to water-based cooling solutions.
Analysis by Hydropac indicates that a standard 500g water ice pack might incur disposal costs of approximately half a penny, in contrast to around 14.3p for a similar gel pack. For businesses managing 50 tonnes of packaging each year, this distinction could translate to savings of £13,750, with potential savings exceeding £137,000 at volumes of 500 tonnes.
In response to the evolving regulatory landscape, Hydropac is advocating for clearer, product-specific guidelines regarding coolants and ice packs. Valpak’s written guidance already offers a robust compliance framework for businesses considering water-based options.
Managing director Colin Rowland notes that HydroPure was developed to address new inquiries from cold-chain operators:
“Cold chain packaging has traditionally been judged on one thing: whether it keeps products cold. That will always be essential, but businesses are now asking additional questions — how quickly does it freeze, how simple is disposal, and what does it mean for future packaging costs?”
He further emphasizes that HydroPure provides “exceptional cooling performance without the environmental impacts of gel-based packs, not to mention the potential it offers for substantially lower EPR costs.”
