Hydropac
Hydropac is a UK-based manufacturer founded in 2001 that produces ice packs, gel packs, and complete temperature-controlled packaging systems for cold chain logistics. Operating as a Bunzl Group subsidiary from High Wycombe, it serves food, pharmaceutical, medical, and promotional B2B customers across the UK.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersWycombe, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Hydropac does
Hydropac Limited is a UK-based manufacturer of temperature-controlled packaging solutions for cold chain logistics, founded in 2001 and headquartered at a single site in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. The company operates as a private subsidiary within the Bunzl Group and describes itself as the largest UK producer of pure ice packs and ice mats. It serves food retailers and frozen-food shippers, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, medical and healthcare providers, and promotional/branded packaging buyers, with a UK-domestic focus and a stated headcount of 25+ employees.
Its product portfolio spans chilled (+2°C to +8°C) and frozen (-12°C to -21°C) ranges across three sub-brands. The Hydropac brand covers water, gel, pre-frozen, hard-shell, and sheet ice packs; the Freshpac brand covers RecycleAir, EnviroCool, ReflectiveAir, thermal/wool postal pockets, cool bags, and polystyrene boxes for food; and the Pharmapac brand covers pharmaceutical gel ice packs, polystyrene boxes, and the patent-protected Genesis pre-qualified system. Core technology is built around proprietary 'Seal through Liquid' dosing, custom-built manufacturing machinery, a unique film blend delivering 200kg+ burst strength, a 3-stage water filtration process with batch-level microbiological testing, and phase change material formulations (HydroFreeze, HydroFreeze+, EasiFreeze) that freeze at sub-zero temperatures as a non-hazardous alternative to dry ice. The company holds granted UK Patent GB2592223 (Pharmapac Genesis) and pending UK and PCT applications on HydroFreeze/EasiFreeze formulations, and is certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.
Hydropac runs a sales-led B2B model with three primary revenue streams: ice pack sales, complete temperature-controlled packaging system sales (Freshpac/Pharmapac), and custom/bespoke manufactured products. Distribution combines an e-commerce storefront selling in courier box or freezer tray/pallet quantities with direct sales, quote requests, and cold chain consultation services for larger and enterprise customers. Pricing is unit-based with volume tiering (e.g., ReflectiveAir drops from £3.01 to £2.49 per pack at 36+ units) and bespoke minimum order quantities (2 pallets for custom branding; 2,500–5,000 units for custom thermal pockets/reflective bags). Channels are UK-domestic only, with marketing driven through the company website, blog, email newsletter, and LinkedIn/X organic social presence.
Hydropac firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hydropac
- Legal name
- Hydropac Limited
- Website
- https://hydropac.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Hydropac is a UK-based manufacturer founded in 2001 that produces ice packs, gel packs, and complete temperature-controlled packaging systems for cold chain logistics. Operating as a Bunzl Group subsidiary from High Wycombe, it serves food, pharmaceutical, medical, and promotional B2B customers across the UK.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hydropac industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Temperature-Controlled Packaging & Cold Chain Logistics
- NAICS
- Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (33341)
- SIC
- Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Temperature-Controlled & Insulated Shippers (Coolers, Gel Packs, PCM Systems) (IMALAFAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cold Chain & Temperature-Controlled Packaging (Insulated Shippers, Gel Packs) (IMALAIAG), Cold-Chain Packaging & Pack-Out Services (Gel Packs, Dry Ice, Insulated Shippers) (TLAIAGAK), Passive Temperature-Controlled Packaging & Insulated Shipper Services (TLACAMAK)
Keywords
Where Hydropac is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wycombe
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Hydropac business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Ice Pack Sales: Sale of water, gel, and phase change (HydroFreeze/EasiFreeze) ice packs in various sizes and configurations. Products sold in courier boxes (small quantities) or freezer trays (pallet quantities).
- Temperature-Controlled Packaging Sales: Sale of insulated packaging systems including Freshpac (food), Pharmapac (pharmaceutical), ReflectiveAir, RecycleAir, EnviroCool, thermal postal pockets, and polystyrene boxes.
- Custom/Bespoke Products: Custom-manufactured products such as drink coolers, ice mats, and shaped ice packs tailored to customer specifications without additional tooling costs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard ice packs (Water, Gel) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | HydroFreeze/EasiFreeze Phase Change Ice Packs |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Temperature-Controlled Packaging Systems |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Volume Pricing (ReflectiveAir example) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom/Bespoke Products |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Hydropac product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hydropac manufactures and sells temperature-controlled packaging products for cold chain logistics, including water ice packs, gel ice packs, phase change material ice packs (HydroFreeze+, EasiFreeze), and insulated shipping systems (RecycleAir, ReflectiveAir, EnviroCool, thermal postal pockets, polystyrene boxes) across food, pharmaceutical, and medical sectors. The company also produces custom/bespoke cooling products (drink coolers, ice mats, branded ice packs) and provides cold chain consultation services from its High Wycombe manufacturing facility in the UK.
Product overview
Hydropac is a temperature-controlled packaging company offering a multi-brand portfolio of cooling solutions for cold chain logistics. The core Hydropac brand provides water ice packs, gel ice packs, and specialty frozen ice packs (HydroFreeze+, EasiFreeze) for various temperature requirements. The Freshpac sub-brand offers eco-friendly food packaging including RecycleAir (recyclable), EnviroCool (sustainable), ReflectiveAir (foil insulation systems), thermal postal pockets, wool thermal pockets, and polystyrene boxes. The Pharmapac sub-brand serves pharmaceutical clients with gel ice packs, polystyrene boxes, and the Genesis pre-qualified packaging system. Products span chilled (+2°C to +8°C), frozen (below -12°C to -21°C), and ambient temperature ranges. The company also offers custom manufacturing capabilities and cold chain consultancy services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Freshpac: Food packaging range including EnviroCool, RecycleAir, ReflectiveAir, cool bags, polystyrene boxes, and wool postal pockets
- Pharmapac
- HydroFreeze
- EasiFreeze
- EnviroCool
- RecycleAir
- ReflectiveAir
- Genesis
- Medipac
Products and services
- Hydropac Water Ice Packs Water-based ice packs designed for chilled temperature control with phase change at 0°C. Suitable for refrigerated shipments. Feature burst strength tested to over 200kg and 3-stage filtration including UV sterilization. Available in various pocket configurations (4-pocket 250g/500g, 16-pocket 1kg).
- Hydropac Gel Ice Packs Gel-based ice packs for chilled temperature control applications. Certified food contact safe with transparent materials for purity visibility. Available in single-pocket 500g and multi-pocket configurations.
- HydroFreeze+ Ice Packs Enhanced formulation frozen ice packs with phase change at -21°C. Holds frozen foods at -20°C for approximately 24 hours or -15°C for approximately 36 hours. Safe alternative to dry ice, non-toxic, FSA certified, not classed as hazardous goods.
- EasiFreeze Ice Packs Specialty ice pack for frozen goods shipment with freezing point of -16°C. Freezes approximately 33% quicker than HydroFreeze+. Non-toxic, food safe formula, drain safe for easy disposal, recyclable packaging. Holds below -12°C for approximately 46 hours.
- Hard Shell Ice Packs (Blocks & Plates) Rigid hard shell ice packs in block and plate configurations for durable frozen temperature maintenance.
- Ice Sheets Flexible ice pack sheets designed for surface cooling applications. Will not stick together when frozen unlike traditional soak-and-freeze packs.
- Pre-Frozen Ice Packs Convenience ice packs that come pre-frozen and ready to use immediately for temperature-controlled shipping.
- Freshpac RecycleAir 100% recyclable temperature controlled packaging solution for chilled food shipments. Made with up to 15% recycled content. Features LDPE construction with self-seal adhesive strip.
- Freshpac EnviroCool Environmentally friendly packaging solution marketed as first to market with comprehensive eco-credentials for sustainable cold chain shipping.
- Freshpac ReflectiveAir Leak-resistant temperature controlled packaging system using foil laminate and trapped air bubble technology. Available in 2D flat bag and 3D box-bottom configurations for chilled and frozen goods. Maintains +2°C to +8°C for up to 48 hours or below -12°C for frozen applications.
- Freshpac Thermal Postal Pockets Insulated mailing pockets for small or single-item temperature-sensitive food shipments through postal/courier networks. Maintains +2°C to +8°C for up to 24 hours. Available in standard and high-performance variants in small, medium, and large sizes.
- Freshpac Wool Thermal Postal Pockets
Quantifiable outcome
- Temperature maintenance below 8°C for 36 hours for fresh fish shipments
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Hydropac
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Hydropac technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Hydropac partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Bunzl GroupcoreHydropac is a member of the Bunzl group of companies, a multinational distribution and outsourcing company. This affiliation provides corporate backing and potentially cross-selling opportunities within the Bunzl network.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves1 record
Expansion highlights6 records
Hydropac competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Hydropac social profiles
Digital presenceHydropac compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
Hydropac financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hydropac leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Hydropac funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hydropac M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hydropac
What does Hydropac do?
Hydropac manufactures and sells temperature-controlled packaging products for cold chain logistics, including water ice packs, gel ice packs, phase change material ice packs (HydroFreeze+, EasiFreeze), and insulated shipping systems (RecycleAir, ReflectiveAir, EnviroCool, thermal postal pockets, polystyrene boxes) across food, pharmaceutical, and medical sectors. The company also produces custom/bespoke cooling products (drink coolers, ice mats, branded ice packs) and provides cold chain consultation services from its High Wycombe manufacturing facility in the UK.
Is Hydropac a public or private company?
Hydropac is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Hydropac founded?
Hydropac was founded in 2001. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Hydropac based?
Hydropac is headquartered in Wycombe, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Hydropac make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Ice Pack Sales are the primary driver. The others are temperature-Controlled Packaging Sales and custom/Bespoke Products.
Does Hydropac have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hydropac.
What industry is Hydropac in?
Hydropac's product category is Temperature-Controlled Packaging & Cold Chain Logistics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMALAFAI, Temperature-Controlled & Insulated Shippers (Coolers, Gel Packs, PCM Systems), with a secondary code of IMALAIAG, Cold Chain & Temperature-Controlled Packaging (Insulated Shippers, Gel Packs). Its NAICS code is 33341 and its SIC code is 3580.