What Sorbafreeze does

Sorbafreeze is the chilled packaging division of Pitreavie Group Limited (legal entity Pitreavie Packaging Ltd, registered in Scotland, company number SC290452). Founded in 1990 and based in Glenrothes with manufacturing in Cumbernauld, the company designs and manufactures temperature-controlled packaging systems combining insulated containers with gel ice packs engineered to maintain cold-chain integrity for up to 48 hours. Its product portfolio comprises the Chilltek family of insulated boxes (Fastfill foil-lined, Poly Tile polystyrene, Ecotek and Kerbcool fully-recyclable corrugate, Enviropak paper-insulated) and insulated bags (postage envelopes, foil bubble bags), the Sorbatek line of non-hydrated salt-polymer ice packs (Flexiroll, sheet, block formats) for space-efficient storage, and the Hydratek pre-hydrated ice-pack alternative, complemented by packaging consumables (food-safe bags, tapes, pallet wrap, void fill). All core products are BRCGS-certified (AA+ as of 2024, the only UK chilled packaging manufacturer to hold the standard) and are produced in-house, with the group operating a 64,000 sq ft corrugate plant.

The business model is direct hardware sales of physical packaging, supplemented by bespoke sizing and branded packaging design services (up to 5-colour print) and international distribution partnerships. Pricing is unit-based (£35–£157+ depending on product), with volume discounts at pack and pallet levels and free mainland UK/Ireland delivery on Sorbatek. The go-to-market combines an e-commerce website (sorbafreeze.com), inbound phone sales, free consultations, and an international distributor program, targeting more than 1,000 UK specialty online food retailers — independent butchers, dairies, fishmongers, bakeries, ready-meal producers, and pet food suppliers shipping perishable goods direct to consumers via standard courier networks. Revenue is not publicly disclosed and there is no external venture or institutional investment; the unit is funded and operated within the Pitreavie Group structure with a stated 1–10 direct employees.

Name

Sorbafreeze

Legal name

Pitreavie Packaging Ltd

Website

https://sorbafreeze.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sorbafreeze is the chilled packaging division of UK-based Pitreavie Group, manufacturing BRCGS-accredited insulated boxes, bags, and gel ice packs that maintain temperature control for up to 48 hours for 1,000+ UK specialty online food retailers shipping perishable goods direct to consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Chilled and Insulated Packaging

NAICS

Packaging and Labeling Services (56191), Plastics Bag and Pouch Manufacturing (326111)

SIC

Plastics, Foil & Coated Paper Bags (2673)

akta.pro primary industry

Cold-Chain Packaging & Pack-Out Services (Gel Packs, Dry Ice, Insulated Shippers) (TLAIAGAK)

Keywords

• Insulated packaging
• Chilled shipping boxes
• Gel ice packs
• Cold chain packaging
• Temperature-controlled shipping

Headquarters

HQ city

Glenrothes

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Insulated Packaging Products: Sale of insulated boxes, bags, and envelopes under Chilltek brand. Products include Fastfill foil-lined boxes, Poly Tile boxes, Ecotek boxes, Kerbcool boxes, Enviropak boxes, insulated envelopes, and foil bubble bags. Revenue generated through unit sales, packs, and pallet quantities with volume-based pricing.
2. Gel Ice Packs: Sale of Sorbatek non-hydrated and Hydratek pre-hydrated gel ice packs in various formats (rolls, sheets, blocks). Both product lines BRCGS-certified and manufactured in-house. Space-saving non-hydrated format for international distribution.
3. Packaging Consumables: Ancillary products including tape, pallet wrap, pallet strapping, void fill, and food safe bags. Complementary offerings to core chilled packaging range.
4. International Distribution Licensing: International distribution partnerships for Sorbatek non-hydrated ice packs and Chilltek essentials. Distributors purchase products for resale in their territories.
5. Bespoke/ Custom Packaging: Custom sizing, branding, and design services for bespoke insulated packaging solutions. In-house design team creates custom solutions with up to 5-colour print options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sorbafreeze manufactures and distributes BRCGS-accredited chilled packaging solutions — insulated boxes (Chilltek Fastfill, Poly Tile, Ecotek, Enviropak, Kerbcool), insulated bags (postage envelopes, foil bubble bags), and gel ice packs (Sorbatek non-hydrated and Hydratek pre-hydrated) — designed to keep perishable goods fresh for up to 48 hours during courier transit for UK and international food retailers. The company offers bespoke sizing, branding (up to 5-colour print), and packaging-consumable bundles, complemented by free consultation services and an international distributor program.

Product overview

Sorbafreeze offers a unified chilled packaging portfolio comprising insulated boxes (Chilltek Fastfill, Poly Tile, Ecotek, Enviropak, Kerbcool), insulated bags (Chilltek Postage Envelopes, Foil Bubble Bags), gel ice packs (Hydratek pre-hydrated and Sorbatek non-hydrated), and consumables (tape, food safe bags). All products maintain temperature control for up to 48 hours and are BRCGS-certified. The ecosystem is designed so customers combine insulated packaging with ice packs for complete temperature-controlled shipping solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sorbatek: Non-hydrated gel ice packs designed for ease of storage and time-proven temperature performance. Ultra-compact format for space saving.
• Hydratek
• Chilltek
• Kerbcool
• Ecotek

Products and services

• Chilltek Fastfill Insulated Box Foil-lined insulated box with integrated triple-layer foil and bubble liner, flat-packed with 'pop open and pack' design for up to 48-hour temperature maintenance. Sold to online food retailers shipping temperature-sensitive goods.
• Chilltek Poly Tile Box Corrugated box with 20mm polystyrene tiles (6-piece set) for temperature-controlled shipping, available in four pre-cut sizes; lightweight and durable insulation for chilled product transit.
• Chilltek Ecotek Insulated Box Premium 100% kerbside-recyclable insulated corrugated box built from four walls of cardboard fluting, with no plastic components, validated for up to 48 hours of temperature maintenance. Designed for online food retailers seeking sustainable chilled packaging.
• Chilltek Enviropak Box 100% recyclable and biodegradable corrugated box with paper insulation; BRCGS-certified alternative to foam or polystyrene insulation, maintaining temperature for up to 48 hours.
• Chilltek Kerbcool Box 100% kerbside-recyclable insulated box with double-wall corrugated outer and macerated paper liners, validated below 8°C for up to 48 hours; vegan-friendly packaging for sustainable cold-chain shipping.
• Chilltek Insulated Postage Envelope Versatile insulated postage envelope in 36-hour and 48-hour variants with LDPE puncture-resistant exterior, lightweight polyethylene liner and tamper-proof sealing strip for smaller temperature-controlled shipments.
• Chilltek Foil Bubble Bag Multi-layered foil, film and insulated bubble bag for smaller temperature-controlled goods, in three sizes, with the ability to separate chilled from ambient items within one delivery.
• Hydratek Pre-hydrated Gel Ice Packs Ready-to-use pre-hydrated gel ice packs straight from the freezer, available in block format and sheet configurations from 1x1 to 4x2, providing up to 48-hour temperature control for businesses without on-site hydration.
• Sorbatek Non-hydrated Gel Ice Packs Ultra-compact non-hydrated gel ice packs using salt-based polymer technology, available in Flexiroll, Block and Sheet formats; soaked and frozen on-site, BRCGS-certified, manufactured in the UK, with validated 48-hour temperature performance and space-saving logistics.
• Food Safe Bags Blue-tint food-grade bags manufactured to BRCGS standards, suitable for direct food contact, available in two sizes (785x1220mm and 535x905mm).
• Packing Tape Range Packing tape range including acrylic, vinyl (freezer-grade), paper, and hot-melt options in 48-50mm widths, supplied in packs of 36 rolls for sealed chilled packaging despatch.
• Bespoke Branded Chilled Packaging Design Service Custom sizing, branding, and design service for insulated packaging, with up to 5-colour print options and supply chain optimisation, supported by free consultations for larger customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 48-hour temperature maintenance validated for all core products
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• MabbetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental consultants working with Sorbafreeze to develop a 10-year sustainability strategy. Partnership focuses on sustainable sourcing of materials, reduction in waste, and reduction in carbon footprint across the Pitreavie Group.
• Pitreavie GroupcoreOthersParent company of Sorbafreeze. Pitreavie Group is one of the UK's leading manufacturers of packaging solutions, providing access to 64,000 sq ft corrugate plant and manufacturing capabilities.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pelican BioThermal: Provider of reusable and single-use insulated shippers and gel packs for cold chain distribution. Highly comparable to Sorbafreeze's Chilltek boxes and Sorbatek/Hydratek ice packs, targeting life sciences and food.
• Sofrigam: French specialist in cold chain insulated packaging including expanded polystyrene and corrugated insulated shippers with gel packs. Directly comparable solution set to Sorbafreeze, serving food and life sciences.
• Intelsius: Manufacturer of temperature-controlled and hazardous-material secondary packaging including insulated shippers and phase-change panels. Comparable product overlap with Sorbafreeze's insulated box and ice pack range.
• Cold Chain Technologies: Leading US-based manufacturer of thermal packaging and temperature-sensitive shipping solutions for life sciences, food, and e-commerce. Directly comparable to Sorbafreeze in insulated shippers, gel packs, and validated cold-chain performance across adjacent verticals.
• Sonoco ThermoSafe: Division of Sonoco Products specialising in temperature-controlled packaging including insulated boxes, gel packs, and passive shippers. Direct competitor in the insulated packaging space Sorbafreeze addresses.
• Va-Q-tec: German provider of high-performance thermal insulation and temperature-controlled container solutions for pharma, biotech and logistics. Comparable technology stack to Sorbafreeze's passive insulated packaging.
• Softbox Systems: Global manufacturer of passive thermal insulated containers and pre-qualified shipping systems for pharma and food. Comparable in insulated box technology, gel packs, and validated cold-chain performance.
• Polar Tech: US manufacturer of insulated shipping containers, gel ice packs, and temperature-controlled packaging. Directly comparable product portfolio to Sorbafreeze's Chilltek boxes and gel ice packs.
• Cryopak: Manufacturer of gel ice packs, phase change materials, and insulated shippers for cold chain distribution across food and life sciences. Direct product overlap with Sorbafreeze's Sorbatek, Hydratek, and Chilltek range.

Broad incumbents

• Sealed Air: Global packaging manufacturer with a broad portfolio spanning food packaging, protective solutions, and cold-chain offerings (Cryovac). Operates across many categories beyond chilled packaging, providing indirect competitive pressure on Sorbafreeze's customers and partners.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sorbafreeze
• Facebookfacebook.com/sorbafreeze1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sorba-freeze

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sorbafreeze