Transporting fresh seafood comes with strict cooling requirements—and traditional flake ice isn’t always the most practical or hygienic choice. That’s why Inter Fresh Concepts developed Ice Pack XL: a flexible cooling mat that delivers consistent, clean cooling without the mess.
Transporting fresh seafood comes with strict cooling requirements—and traditional flake ice isn’t always the most practical or hygienic choice. That’s why Inter Fresh Concepts developed Ice Pack XL: a flexible cooling mat that delivers consistent, clean cooling without the mess.
Especially in air transport, combined transport, and for mobile seafood merchants, Ice Pack XL offers significant advantages. “The mats are lightweight and maintain a stable cold release of 0°C, which protects the fish without causing damage,” says Leon Hogervorst, developer at Inter Fresh Concepts. “There’s no direct contact with meltwater, and that’s a big plus for quality and hygiene.”
Because Ice Pack XL contains 99% water, it freezes quickly and provides well-dosed, even cooling to the surrounding products. The gel inside moves slowly, which helps maintain a low, stable temperature. Tests show that fish stays below 2°C for up to 48 hours, making Ice Pack XL ideal for long-distance transport.
The cooling mats are delivered as semi-finished sheets, saving space and simplifying logistics. Simply place the sheets in tap water—after 20 minutes, they swell into soft, ready-to-freeze pads.
In a tunnel freezer, Ice Pack XL is ready in 3 minutes
In a regular freezer, it takes just 5 hours
Even after freezing, the mats remain flexible, reducing the risk of pressure marks or damage during handling.
Each mat consists of a non-woven cloth, super-absorbent powder, and a plastic top layer. The soft side, which touches the product, maintains a cold emission of 0°C without causing freeze spots. If the mat breaks, the gel simply turns into a dry, snow-like powder that’s easy to wipe away—and 100% food-safe.
“The gel is even used in sausage production,” notes Hoogervorst. “So there’s no health risk whatsoever.”
Because all liquid is safely contained in the gel, no meltwater needs to be drained. This significantly reduces the risk of bacterial growth, discoloration, and product spoilage. Especially in combined transport, where meltwater collection systems are often lacking, this is a game-changer.
In air freight, weight equals cost. Traditional flake ice adds unnecessary kilos—two extra kilos for every ten kilos of fish. “With Ice Pack XL, you can cut the cooling weight nearly in half,” says Hoogervorst. That translates to direct savings on freight costs.
Ice Pack XL can be delivered in various custom sizes or on a roll with perforation, making it easy to tear off what you need—ideal for street vendors and fish retailers. The system is low maintenance, easy to use, and eliminates the need for ice machines or dealing with leak-related damage claims.
Ice Pack XL makes seafood transport cleaner, safer and more efficient—whether you're shipping by air, road, or selling fish on the market.
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