TomKat KoolPak’s founders Tom and Kath Long have set a new benchmark in sustainable packing worldwide, designed to protect products and preserve the environment.
The TomKat KoolPak is an environmentally friendly, robust, stackable and lightweight thermally insulated box to transport and store temperature-sensitive and perishable products.
Tom and Kath Long own a sustainable wild line fishing company in North Queensland. In 2019 they decided they needed a more environmentally responsible solution to the single-use polystyrene boxes.
Globally, the seafood industry is responsible for approximately half a billion single-use polystyrene fish boxes entering landfill, the ocean, and the food chain every year.
They developed, created and designed the KoolPak – it’s thermally efficient, durable and best of all it can be used multiple times and be recycled at the end of its life, therefore saving money.
The KoolPak was originally created to transport caught fish to restaurants, but the boxes can be used to transport anything that needs to be kept cool, from fish to pharmaceuticals!
The dynamic duo have an established manufacturing site in Kurrimine Beach in Far North Queensland where there is capacity to produce 50,000 units per year.
The boxes are now also fitted with a battery-free NFC temperature sensor tag developed in partnership with SAG, ensuring that the fresh goods in the KoolPak are genuine and have not been taken out and exchanged during transit. NFC allows for seamless track and trace throughout the supply chain.
With $150,000 in Advance Queensland Ignite Ideas Funding, Tom and Kath have developed their sales channels, promotion and branding, creating two new jobs and bringing their workforce to six people.
