Trockeneisplatten sorgen für Ultrakälte, Saubere Kühlung, die empfindliche Medikamente während des Transports schützt. Im Gegensatz zu Gelpackungen, dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide with a surface temperature of about 78.5 °C ( 109.3 °F). Because it sublimates directly into gas and leaves no water, Es ist ideal für den Transport von Impfstoffen, biologics and temperature sensitive drugs. In this guide you’ll learn what makes a dry ice sheet effective, how to choose the best option for medicine transport, and the latest innovations shaping the industry in 2025.
Why use dry ice sheets for medicine transport? Explore the benefits over gel packs and phase change materials using real industry data.
How to select the best dry ice sheet In 2025? Understand key features—temperature stability, reuse cycles and sustainability.
What are the rules and safety measures? Learn about weight limits, packaging and ventilation requirements from government guidelines.
Which brands and innovations stand out? Compare reusable and biodegradable dry ice sheets and explore cutting edge trends such as digital monitoring.
What does the future look like? Examine market growth, breakthroughs and sustainability trends in 2025.
Why Use Dry Ice Sheets for Medicine Transport?
Die Wissenschaft hinter Trockeneis
Trockeneis ist festes Kohlendioxid, das bei –78,5 °C sublimiert (–109,3°F). Bei atmosphärischem Druck, CO₂ has no liquid phase; it moves directly from solid to gas when warmed. This process absorbs a large amount of heat, maintaining ultra low temperatures inside insulated containers and preventing moisture buildup. For medicines that must stay below –50 °C, such as certain mRNA vaccines, this level of cold is essential.
Benefits Over Gel Packs and Phase Change Materials
Colder temperatures and longer duration. Dry ice holds temperatures as low as –78 °C for several days. Gel packs freeze around 0 °C and are better for keeping items cool but not frozen. Phasenwechselmaterialien (PCMs) may offer reusability but they have lower thermal conductivity and cannot achieve ultra cold temperatures.
Keine Flüssigkeitsrückstände. Denn Trockeneis sublimiert direkt zu Gas, it leaves no water that could damage packaging or contaminate pharmaceutical products. Ice packs can leak if punctured and create messes.
Verlängerte Haltbarkeit. The extreme cold slows bacterial growth and enzymatic activity, extending the shelf life of biological products.
Lightweight and space efficient. Dry ice has a lower density than water ice, reducing shipping weight and allowing more product per shipment.
Umweltaspekte. Dry ice is often produced from recycled CO₂ and sublimates back into gas, minimizing water waste. It’s still important to source from suppliers focused on carbon capture and eco friendly production.
Vergleich von Kühlmethoden
| Kühlmethode | Temperaturbereich | Dauer | Vorteile | Nachteile | Am besten für |
| Trockeneisdecke | Bis –78°C | 2–5 days depending on insulation | Ultrakalt, keine rückstände, leicht | Erfordert Belüftung; weight limits on air transport | Frozen vaccines, Biologika, long distance shipping |
| Gelpackung | 0 °C bis –10°C | 12–48H | Wiederverwendbar, sicherer zu handhaben | Limited cold capacity; may leak | Chilled medicines, kurze Reisen |
| Phasenwechselmaterial (PCM) | Einstellbar (Z.B., +5 ° C, –20 ° C.) | 24–72H | Wiederverwendbar, stabile Temperatur | Lower thermal conductivity and slower cooling; narrow temperature range | Controlled room temp drugs, moderate cold chain |
| Traditionelles Eis | About 0 °C | 8–24H | Weit verbreitet, billig | Schmilzt in Wasser; Gefahr einer Kontamination | Essen, non medical uses |
Praktische Tipps und Ratschläge
Assess the required temperature range. If your medicine must stay frozen (Z.B., –70°C), dry ice sheets are essential. For refrigerated drugs (2–8 ° C), gel or PCM packs might suffice.
Balance duration and cost. Premium dry ice sheets can maintain temperature stability for over 120 hours but may cost more upfront. Consider reuse cycles and total cost of ownership.
Combine cooling methods. For multi stop routes or last mile delivery, layering –20 °C packs with –78 °C dry ice can balance safety and cost.
Fall aus der realen Welt: Während der Einführung des COVID-19-Impfstoffs, pharmaceutical companies used dry ice to maintain –70 °C for Pfizer’s mRNA vaccines, enabling safe delivery across varied climates. Ohne Trockeneis, these vaccines would have lost potency or required expensive ultra cold freezers.
Choosing the Best Dry Ice Sheet for Medicine Transport in 2025
Schlüsselfunktionen, nach denen Sie suchen sollten
- Temperature stability and duration.Top tier dry ice sheets keep cargo within ±0.5 °C of the target temperature for 120+ Std.. Look for performance data, not marketing claims.
- Reuse cycles and durability.High quality sheets withstand 100–200 reuse cycles, slashing coolant costs by over 40%. Durable outer shells resist punctures and maintain integrity during transit.
- Materials and eco impact.Choose sheets made from recyclable or biodegradable materials. Some brands offer plant based shells that decompose in 90 Tage.
- Compliance and certification.Ensure the product meets FDA, EMA and IATA guidelines. Reputable suppliers provide documentation for hazardous materials handling and food grade safety.
- Integrated monitoring.Digital sensors and Bluetooth logging are increasingly important; 72% of shippers now require real time temperature monitoring. Smart dry ice sheets with built in data loggers can alert you to temperature excursions.
Tisch: Features vs. Vorteile
| Besonderheit | Why It Matters for Medicine Transport |
| ±0.5 °C temperature precision | Prevents potency loss in vaccines and biologics by keeping them within strict ranges. |
| 120 hour cold duration | Enables cross country shipping without replenishment, reducing logistical complexity. |
| 100+ Zyklen wiederverwenden | Lowers total cost and environmental impact; one sheet can last through hundreds of shipments. |
| Nano coated shells and refill ports | Increase durability and allow refilling to extend lifespan. |
| Biodegradable or recycled materials | Aligns with corporate sustainability goals and reduces waste. |
| Digital monitoring | Provides real time temperature data and compliance documentation for regulatory audits. |
User Focused Recommendations
Match the sheet size to your cooler. Large sheets provide more consistent coverage but may waste space in small containers. For insulin travel cases, several small sheets often work better.
Select reusability based on shipping frequency. If you ship weekly, durable reusable sheets save money. Occasional shipments may justify single use options.
Verify certification for medical use. Always ask suppliers for testing data and certifications; avoid uncertified products marketed as “medical grade.”
Consider the environmental footprint. Prioritize sheets made with recycled CO₂ and recyclable materials to minimize emissions.
Fallstudie: A biopharmaceutical firm switching to reusable nano coated dry ice sheets reduced coolant costs by 187%, saving $38 000 in the first year. Their finance team initially doubted the ROI, but the extended lifespan and reduced waste justified the investment.
How to Pack Medicines with Dry Ice Sheets
Step by Step Packing Guide
Berechnen Sie das benötigte Trockeneis. Verwenden Sie die Formel (Kühlervolumen × Temperaturunterschied × 0.12) ÷ 150 × 1.25. Zum Beispiel, a 100 L container traveling from 25 °C to –70 °C needs about 9.5 kg of dry ice.
Prepare the dry ice sheet. Hydrat (falls erforderlich) according to manufacturer instructions and freeze until fully solid. Do not cut or puncture the cells.
Place insulating material. Line the bottom and sides of the cooler with an insulated panel to minimize thermal bridging.
Add dry ice sheets. Place a layer of dry ice sheets above and below the medicine. Avoid direct contact between medicines and dry ice to prevent freezing damage.
Fill remaining space with cushioning material. Use foam or cardboard to prevent movement and maintain insulation.
Entlüften Sie den Behälter. Leave a vent or loose lid to allow CO₂ gas to escape; Verschlossene Behälter können explodieren.
Siegel und Etikett. Clearly mark the package with “Dry Ice” or “Carbon Dioxide, Solid” and indicate the weight. Include a description of the contents (Z.B., “vaccines”).
Überwachen Sie die Temperatur. Use a data logger to track minimum and maximum temperatures during transit.
Regulatory Compliance and Safety
Gewichtsbeschränkungen. For air shipments in the U.S., packages containing 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) or less of dry ice are exempt from hazardous material documentation. Packages over this limit require hazardous materials paperwork and adherence to IATA guidelines.
Ventilation and packaging integrity. Dry ice should never be shipped in airtight containers; venting prevents gas buildup that could cause explosions. Containers must withstand repeated loading and low temperatures.
Temperaturüberwachung. Regulatory agencies recommend using a temperature monitoring device accurate to ±0.5 °C during transport. Record temperatures at the start and end of transport.
Vaccine specific guidance. The CDC advises against using dry ice to store vaccines temporarily because the extreme cold can damage many products. An exception exists for transporting ultra cold vaccines (Z.B., certain COVID 19 vaccines) that require dry ice.
Hilfreiche Tipps
Verwenden Sie isolierte Handschuhe und Schutzbrillen Bei der Behandlung von Trockeneis, um Erfrierungen vorzubeugen.
Work in a well ventilated area; CO₂ gas can displace oxygen in confined spaces and cause suffocation.
Keep dry ice away from children and pets.
Do not dispose of dry ice in sinks or trash. Allow it to sublimate in a ventilated space.
Praktischer Fall: Harvard’s Environmental Health & Safety office warns that sealed containers with dry ice can over pressurize and explode. They emphasize vented packaging and proper labeling to avoid accidents during biological shipments.
Comparing Top Dry Ice Sheet Categories and Alternatives
Although many brands exist, it’s useful to compare categories of dry ice sheets and alternatives using measurable metrics.
Tisch: Dry Ice Sheet Categories vs. Alternativen
| Category/Type | Temperaturstabilität | Zyklen wiederverwenden | Unique Features | Suitability for Medicines |
| Premium Reusable Dry Ice Sheets | ±0.5 °C for 96–120 h | 100–200 Anwendungen | Nano coated shells, refill ports, built in sensors | Ideal for long distance pharmaceutical shipments; reduces coolant costs |
| Biodegradable Dry Ice Sheets | ±1 °C for 72–96 h | 50–100 uses | Plant based shells decompose in 90 Tage | Suitable for companies prioritizing sustainability; use with less extreme cargo |
| Standard Dry Ice Sheets | ±5 °C for 48–72 h | 10–20 Anwendungen | Simple construction, niedrige Kosten | Good for short haul or secondary cooling; may require overpacking |
| PCM Based Packs | Specific ranges (Z.B., –20 ° C., +5 ° C) | 50–100 uses | Stable temperature but slower cooling | Suitable for refrigerated medicines; not for ultra cold vaccines |
| Gelpackungen | 0 °C bis –10°C | 20–50 Anwendungen | Leak proof, Einfaches Handling | Good for insulin, biologics requiring 2–8 °C; not for frozen items |
Practical Scenarios and Recommendations
Ultra Cold Vaccine Shipping: Choose premium reusable dry ice sheets with ±0.5 °C precision to maintain –70 °C for up to five days.
Routine Clinical Samples: For lab specimens needing –20 °C, combine standard dry ice sheets with PCM packs to extend duration without overcooling.
Short Range Pharmacy Deliveries: Gel packs or PCM packs at 2–8 °C may be sufficient; avoid over freezing sensitive medicines.
Sustainability Priority: Select biodegradable dry ice sheets and recycle them through closed loop programs.
Beispiel: During an FDA approved test lasting 124 hours, reusable dry ice packs maintained –75 °C in 35 °C ambient heat, Outperformance von Wettbewerbern von 41 Std. Real,von 41 Std. 3 5″ >. Such performance is critical when transporting high value biologics during extreme weather.
2025 Trends und Innovationen
Trendübersicht
The global dry ice market continues to grow rapidly. A December 2024 report projects the market to reach US$ 3.90 billion by 2033, rising from US$ 1.92 billion in 2024 bei a CAGR von 8.2% during 2025–2033. Cold chain logistics account for 40% of dry ice consumption, and dry ice pallets hold 54.5% Marktanteil. The growth is driven by increasing demand for pharmaceutical and food logistics, e commerce expansion and the popularity of dry ice in industrial cleaning.
Aktuelle Fortschritte auf einen Blick
Automation and increased capacity. New facilities in North America (Z.B., Air Liquide’s Texas plant and Messer’s West Virginia facility) expand production and ensure supply.
Nachhaltige CO₂-Beschaffung. Partnerships with carbon capture companies like Climeworks and Carbon Cure channel captured CO₂ into dry ice production, reducing the industry’s carbon footprint.
Self healing gels and solar powered units. Advanced dry ice sheet technologies include self healing gel layers that automatically seal punctures and solar recharging units that extend cold duration by 40%.
Blockchain and digital monitoring. Smart packs log temperature data on blockchain for FDA/EMA compliance and send alerts via Bluetooth when temperatures deviate.
Reusable innovations. CarbonShield series dry ice sheets offer 200+ reuse cycles and closed loop recycling, cutting annual coolant costs by 40%.
Markteinsichten
Drivers: Rapid expansion of cold chain requirements for sensitive pharmaceuticals and vaccines, growth of e commerce requiring reliable temperature controlled deliveries, and increased industrial sanitation needs.
Herausforderungen: Carbon dioxide supply chain disruptions, high energy costs for production and limited awareness in emerging regions.
Gelegenheiten: Innovation in pallet configurations and onsite refill stations helps reduce complexity for biotech shipments. Food and beverage sectors are using dry ice to extend shipping ranges and create novel culinary experiences.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Q1: How much dry ice should I use per medical shipment?
Calculate dry ice by multiplying the cooler volume by the temperature difference, dann vorbei 0.12, dividing by 150 and adding 25% as a safety factor. For a 100 L cooler from 25 °C to –70 °C you need roughly 9.5 kg of dry ice.
Q2: Are dry ice sheets safe to use with medications?
Ja, dry ice sheets are safe when handled properly. Use insulated gloves and work in a well ventilated area to prevent frostbite and CO₂ buildup. Keep medicines from direct contact with dry ice to avoid freezing damage.
Q3: Do I need special paperwork to ship dry ice?
If the package contains 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) or less aus Trockeneis, no hazardous materials agreement or shipping papers are required for U.S. domestic air shipments. Packages exceeding this limit must comply with IATA and DOT regulations and include labeling and documentation.
Q4: How long do dry ice sheets last?
High quality dry ice sheets can maintain ultra cold temperatures for 96–120 hours. The duration depends on the insulation of your container and ambient conditions.
Q5: Are there eco friendly dry ice sheet options?
Ja. Some manufacturers offer plant based shells that decompose within 90 Tage. Choosing reusable sheets with closed loop recycling also reduces environmental impact.
Zusammenfassung und nächste Schritte
Key Takeaways
Dry ice sheets offer ultrakalt, mess free cooling at –78.5 °C, making them indispensable for transporting vaccines, biologics and other sensitive medicines. They outshine gel packs and phase change materials in terms of temperature stability, longevity and reliability. Premium dry ice sheets deliver ±0.5 °C precision for over 120 Stunden und kann 100–200 Mal wiederverwendet werden. Proper handling, vented packaging and adherence to weight limits ensure safe, konforme Sendungen. Innovative features such as self healing gels, solar powered units and digital monitoring are shaping the future of cold chain logistics, while the global dry ice market continues its rapid growth.
Umsetzbarer Rat
Audit your current cold chain processes. Identify which medicines require ultra cold temperatures and evaluate whether your current cooling solution meets those needs.
Berechnen Sie Ihren Trockeneisbedarf using the formula provided and choose premium sheets that offer precision and longevity.
Invest in reusable and eco friendly products. Reusable sheets with 100+ cycles and biodegradable shells reduce cost and environmental impact.
Implementieren Sie eine digitale Überwachung. Use dry ice sheets with built in sensors or add Bluetooth data loggers to ensure compliance and gain real time visibility.
Bleiben Sie über die Vorschriften auf dem Laufenden. Keep abreast of IATA, DOT and CDC guidelines for dry ice shipments, especially weight limits and labeling requirements.
Partner with reliable suppliers. Work with companies that provide performance data, safety certifications and sustainable production practices.
Über Tempk
Tempk is a leading innovator in cold chain packaging, spezialisiert auf ultra low temperature dry ice sheets and insulated containers. Unsere Produkte sind lab verified to maintain ±0.5 °C at –78 °C und sind für die Auseinandersetzung für 100+ Zyklen wiederverwenden, reducing both costs and waste. We prioritize sustainability by using recyclable and plant based materials and offer digital monitoring solutions to ensure regulatory compliance. With a global network and years of experience in pharmaceutical logistics, we help you transport vaccines, biologics and other sensitive medicines safely and efficiently.
Bereit, Ihre Kaltkette zu verbessern? Contact our team for a personalized consultation and discover how Tempk’s advanced dry ice sheets can secure your next shipment.
