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Are the containers suitable for low temperatures?

According to the manufacturers' specifications, most of our plastic containers are intended for applications at temperatures of +5 °C and above. For applications below +5 °C, only products with specifically stated suitability for freezing should be used.

Selected products are suitable for freezer applications down to −18 °C according to the available manufacturer specifications and/or test results. The applicable temperature information can be found in the product description on the respective product detail page.

At low temperatures, the mechanical properties of plastics can change. The material can become significantly more brittle and therefore more sensitive to impact, dropping and pressure. In addition to temperature, practical suitability therefore also depends on the filling product, the duration of temperature exposure and the conditions during storage, transport and processing.

At low temperatures, it is also important to distinguish between food contact compliance and mechanical suitability for freezing. Lower temperatures generally result in lower migration conditions; however, this does not automatically mean that a packaging product is mechanically suitable for a particular freezer application.

Additional guidance regarding suitability for freezing can be found via the corresponding performance symbol displayed with the respective product. The product-specific information on the product detail page and the available technical documentation should always be taken into account.

What should be considered for refrigerated and freezer applications?

Criterion What should be considered? Recommendation
Temperature range According to the manufacturers' specifications, most of our plastic containers are intended for applications at temperatures of +5 °C and above. Selected products have specified suitability for freezer applications down to −18 °C. For applications below +5 °C, only use products with specifically stated suitability for freezing.
Mechanical stress At low temperatures, the material can become more brittle and therefore more sensitive to mechanical stress. Avoid impact, dropping and excessive pressure, particularly when handling frozen packaging.
Filling product & freezing behaviour The filling product can also influence the mechanical load on the packaging. During freezing, the volume and physical properties of the filling product may change. Allow sufficient free space and test the packaging with the actual filling product under the intended conditions of use.
Storage & transport Stacking pressure, palletisation, movement and impacts can place additional mechanical stress on refrigerated or frozen packaging. Consider the complete process from filling and freezing through storage and transport to thawing.
Food contact Food contact compliance and mechanical suitability for freezing must be assessed separately. Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 addresses food contact under refrigerated and frozen conditions through the standardised OM1 test condition. In addition to food contact compliance, always observe the specified suitability for freezing of the respective product.
Product selection Product-specific temperature information can be found on the respective product detail page and, as additional guidance, via the corresponding performance symbol. For special or critical applications, we recommend testing the packaging under the actual intended conditions of use.

Important information

For applications below +5 °C, only products with specifically stated suitability for freezing should be used. General food contact compliance does not automatically mean that a packaging product is also mechanically suitable for a particular refrigerated or freezer application.

Please therefore always refer to the product-specific information. For applications involving particular temperature conditions or mechanical loads, we recommend testing the packaging under the actual intended conditions before series use.