Chilled Packaging

If you ship temperature sensitive products, you’ll need packaging that protects your items during transit. We offer a range of chilled packaging solutions suitable for bulk supply cold chain distribution and ecommerce shipments.

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Whether you're shipping meal prep kits, frozen pet food, supplements or pharmaceuticals, we have a temperature controlled packaging solution for you. Download our handy guide, explore bulk chilled packaging solutions or request an appointment.

Temperature controlled packaging guide

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We’re here to help you get the packaging you need

As the UK’s largest distributor of protective packaging materials, we’ll protect all your temperature sensitive products.

The thermal packaging solution you need will depend on the product you’re shipping (e.g. perishability, weight, fragility, size), the temperature that needs to be maintained in the pack (ambient, chilled, frozen) and the shipping journey (e.g. how will you be shipping the product – by air or by courier networks etc).

You should also consider if there are any legal requirements for the particular product you’re shipping, such as food or pharmaceuticals. This may differ, depending on where you’re shipping to and from, especially if you’re shipping internationally.
Whether or not your thermal packaging recyclable will depend on the composition of the material used in the pack.

If there is an outer box, the cardboard box will be recyclable at kerbside.

The liner used to the insulate the pack, may be made from a number of materials. These could include paper padding, metallic bubble, polystyrene, sheep’s wool and recycled fiber materials. Whether these can be recycled will depend on the local authority. Checking out websites like RecycleNow can also be useful in identifying whether or not packaging materials can be recycled.

Similarly, you should check locally if any coolants can be recycled. For example, you can empty the water from ice sheets one melted and see if the outer plastic material can be recycled.
Chilled packaging is packaging that is designed to preserve the temperature of goods during shipping. It is used to protect products such as food (including meat, dairy, fish and prepared meals), drinks, pharmaceuticals and other temperature sensitive products.

You may also see this type of packaging referred to as temperature controlled packaging, as well as thermal packaging.

During use, thermal packaging will maintain an ambient, chilled, or frozen temperature within a pack, if paired with an appropriate coolant. This type of packaging is widely used in cold chain logistics (where goods throughout the supply chain require low temperatures).

Thermal packaging can also be used to retain heat, where goods are required to be kept at warm during shipping.

For more information about this kind of packaging, click to view our short guide.
Macfarlane Packaging has an extensive range of thermal packaging and temperature controlled packaging. The range includes:

  • RecycoolMe – a 100% recyclable thermal packaging shipper
  • CooliMate® – an insulated thermal packaging shipper
  • Temperature controlled insulated bubble envelopes
  • Insulated pallet covers
  • Insulated roll cage covers
  • Breathable cargo covers for air freight
  • Thermal liners
  • Insulated pallet boxes
  • Various coolants


Selected products from our chilled packaging range, including coolants and shipping boxes with thermal liners are avalable to buy online. Other products like our insulated envelopes, roll cage covers an other bulk cold chain solutions are available on request.
You can pour the contents of our ice packs, gel packs and Hydro-Freeze ice packs down the drain safely.

The contents of RecyCold cool packs should be disposed of in a bio-container or simply in the garden. The exterior pouch, once emptied can be put in refuse bins for combined waste or in paper waste stream recycling, depending on your local recycling guidelines.
Yes, most coolants can be reused.

This is a great option in closed loop supply chains and is an environmentally-friendly alternative to immediate disposal.
Temperature-controlled food packaging is a specialised type of packaging designed to maintain the temperature of perishable food products throughout the supply chain, from production to the final consumer.

This type of packaging is essential for ensuring food safety, quality, and freshness, especially for products that require refrigeration or freezing.

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Speak to one of our packaging specialist online, by email or over the phone 0800 2 88 88 222 in business hours.

Unrivalled temperature controlled packaging solutions

With a wide selection of of temperature controlled packaging, thermal packaging and chilled packaging on hand, you can be confident that Macfarlane Packaging has the solution to keep your products cool. 

At Macfarlane Packaging, we have solutions suitable for bulk supply cold chain distribution and ecommerce shipments. Our thermal packaging range is perfect for protecting temperature-sensitive products in transit. From pallet covers to postal envelopes, we have chilled packaging for all aspects of your business.

Chilled packaging, also called temperature-controlled packaging or thermal packaging, is a type of specialist packaging used to preserve the temperature of your goods during shipping. This type of packaging is often used to ship products like food, including fresh and frozen meals, as well as meal kits. Other applications include shipping chilled or frozen pet food and pharmaceuticals and medicines.

We have an extensive range of temperature-controlled packaging products – including chilled packaging solutions available to buy online. Our specialist team can advise you on the best temperature-controlled packaging for your products. Macfarlane’s experts can also help you with packing processes to ensure that your products arrive in perfect condition at their final destination.

If you’re moving temperature sensitive goods in large quantities, we also offer a range of chilled packaging solutions suitable for bulk cold chain stock movement. These include insulated pallet boxes, breathable air cargo covers, roll cage covers and insulated thermal pallet covers.

In addition to our “off the shelf” thermal packaging products, we can also help you with custom packaging design. Whether you need standard solutions or custom designs, we are here to meet your chilled packaging needs.

Packaging advice, news and opinion

Protective packaging products and services to businesses throughout the UK, Ireland and Continental Europe

How to pack food for cold chain delivery
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Reduce the environmental impact of packaging
It’s important to remember that any opportunity to reduce the environmental impact of packaging should not undermine its primary purpose - protecting goods throughout the logistics chain. So what do you need to consider when balancing the use of sustainable products while ensuring they are 100% fit for purpose? Below is our brief guide to eco-fri
Macfarlane Packaging announces automation agreement with Lantech

Macfarlane Packaging, the UK’s leading distributor of protective packaging, announces today (18 March) a new automation distributor agreement with U…

Macfarlane Packaging announces automation agreement with Lantech

Macfarlane Packaging, the UK’s leading distributor of protective packaging, announces today (18 March) a new automation distributor agreement with U…

Macfarlane Packaging announces automation agreement with Lantech

Macfarlane Packaging, the UK’s leading distributor of protective packaging, announces today (18 March) a new automation distributor agreement with U…

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