Speciality Food Feb/March 2024

specialityfoodmagazine.com T he thermal packaging sector is heating up. With consumer interest in frozen food and premiumpreparedmeals soaring, comes the demand for cost-effective solutions that will keep these products at their very best, while beingmindful of the environment. Fast-paced work is going on behind the scenes, with industry leaders investing in the very latest technology when it comes to materials, their efficacy, and their sustainability – through NPD that focusses on reducing the use of virgin plastics, while innovating with 39 recyclable materials such as card. Three experts in this field are Sorbafreeze, Hydropac, and Icertech. Sorbafreeze is the temperature- controlled division of Pitreavie Packaging, providing insulated boxes, ice packs and shipping solutions. Hydropac is renowned for its temperature-controlled packaging, and for super strong ice packs that will withstand up to 200kg without bursting. It’s also expert in seal through liquid techology, which allows for more accurate filling and less leakage, while using less material. And family-run Icertech shifted its focus in 2012 frompurely pharmaceutical solutions, to the foodmarket, offering a high level of bespoke service with its ice packs and insulated boxes. A growing demand Each of these three companies say they experienced strong growth during Covid, which has continued beyond the height of the pandemic, where the demand for at-home dining options boomed. there’s lot of things to think about. When customers come to us we can run through different scenarios with them, give them the right information, and recommend the best solutions.” “That consultancy periodmatters,” adds her colleague SimonMorris. “We’ve spoken to thousands and thousands of customers about their needs, so there’s a good chance new customers will be looking for an SIMON MORRIS ICERTECH MICHELLE OTTOLINI SORBAFREEZE REBECCA HAILSTONE HYDROPAC COMMENTATORS “We saw a huge increase in business because of Covid,” says Alex Jackson of Icertech. “There was a mass of people ordering food online. That period was very busy for us and we picked up a lot of customers. But we’ve managed to retain them all. It’s a thriving industry, with lots of enquiries.” During the pandemic “many businesses came to Sorbafreeze for guidance on not just chilled packaging, but the logistics and practicalities of setting up an online food delivery business,” says business unit director Michelle Ottolini. “Although the Covid pandemic presented a lot of challenges, it was incredibly encouraging to see so many food and drink businesses diversify andmake the leap to ecommerce,” Michelle adds. “Even more encouraging was the number of businesses across the UK and internationally reaching out to us, a Scottish-basedmanufacturer, and seeking our support during a pivotal time in their trading. During the Covid pandemic we saw revenue double from insulative packaging solutions.” The demand for insulated packaging is only going to continue as consumer habits have changed over the last couple of years. The very concept of mail order food has becomemuchmore normal for the general public INNOVATION ISHEATINGUP INTHE THERMAL PACKAGING SECTOR Consumers don’t just have an eye on the sustainability of the food and drink they buy – they’re seeking better solutions from the packaging it arrives in too Trusting the experts It might be tempting, especially if you’re a start-up, to cut corners when it comes to packaging. But this could prove a false economy. Without the support and expertise of professionals, can you really be assured your products will arrive undamaged, and still frozen or chilled? Packaging is “not a complicated thing”, says Alex. “But if you’re new,