In this episode, Lindy Hughson, Managing Editor & Publisher of PKN Packaging News talks to Tom and Kath Long, the founders of TomKat, about the inspiration and development of their innovative KoolPak product.

We start our discussion with a look at TomKat’s beginnings in the fishing business and devotion to sustainable practices. We explore how their business moved from using expanded polystyrene (EPS) to transport their seafood products to developing a an EPS-free solution, the KoolPak. It comprises a polypropylene (PP) outer case and lid with a polyethylene cool pack liner to improve its thermal capacity and incorporate a reuse system with an app to review the product life cycle, GPS tracking, and live temperature information. Tom and Kath explain the reasons behind their relocation to Thailand to set up manufacturing operations, and their plans for further expansion in production and into possible new markets such as medicine and home delivery.

Tom and Kath evaluate the phasing out of EPS in the coming years for insulated packaging and the benefits that a re-use system has both economically and sustainably.

Links:

Sponsor - Trimatt

www.trimatt.com - 03 8761 6171 - info@trimatt.com 

TomKat KoolPak:

www.koolpakbox.com

TomKat to move KoolPak operations to Thailand

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/tomkat-to-move-koolpak-operations-to-thailand

------------------------------

The PKN Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of PKN Packaging News, owned and published by Yaffa Media.

The views of the people featured on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of PKN Packaging News, Yaffa Media, or the guest’s employer. The contents are copyright by Yaffa Media.

If you wish to use any of this podcast’s audio, please contact PKN Packaging News via their website www.packagingnews.com.au or send an email to editor@packagingnews.com.au.

MC: Grant McHerron

Host: Lindy Hughson

Producer: Steve Visscher

Editor: Chris Visscher

PKN Packaging News - © 2025