Paquetes de hielo seco criogénicos: How Do They Keep Shipments Ultra Cold?
Shipping temperature sensitive goods in a world of global supply chains requires cooling solutions that go beyond ordinary ice. Cryogenic dry ice packs—solid carbon dioxide products engineered for ultra cold shipping—keep products at –78.5 °C without leaving meltwater and are indispensable for vaccines, muestras de biotecnología, gourmet food and industrial processes. Demand for dry ice has been rising roughly 5 % per year, while carbon dioxide supply has only grown around 0.5 %, driving price volatility and supply constraints. This guide explains what cryogenic dry ice packs are, how they work, how to choose and use them safely and efficiently, and what innovations are reshaping this field in 2025. Al final, you’ll know how these packs can protect your products and your business.
What are cryogenic dry ice packs and why are they essential for cold chain logistics?
How do pellet based and sheet based cryogenic dry ice packs differ and which one fits your shipment?
How can you pack dry ice packs safely and comply with IATA and DOT regulations?
What formulas help you calculate the right amount of dry ice, and how do you minimize sublimation?
What innovations and market trends will shape cryogenic dry ice packs in 2025 y más allá?
What Are Cryogenic Dry Ice Packs and How Do They Work?
Cryogenic dry ice packs are cooling agents made from solid carbon dioxide (Co₂) designed to maintain temperatures below –78.5 °C for extended periods. A diferencia del hielo del agua, hielo seco Susilimaciones—it turns directly from solid to gas—so it leaves no liquid residue. This makes it ideal for shipping products that cannot get wet or warm, como las vacunas, biological samples and delicate foods. Because CO₂ is non toxic, dry ice is safe for food and medical applications. Cryogenic packs come in two main formats—bandear y pack sheets—each optimized for different situations.
How Cryogenic Dry Ice Packs Keep Things Frozen
Cryogenic dry ice packs keep products ultra cold by absorbing heat and releasing CO₂ gas. Pellets—small cylindrical pieces 3–16 mm in diameter—have a high surface area and provide rapid cooling, quickly dropping temperatures to –78.5 °C. Pack sheets, por el contrario, enclose pellets or CO₂ “snow” in flexible cells, slowly releasing cold air for up to 72 hours. Because dry ice doesn’t melt, it avoids the messy meltwater and mold issues associated with ordinary ice.
Pellets vs.. Hojas de paquete: Which Format Fits Your Shipment?
Dry ice comes in various formats. El choice between pellets and pack sheets depends on how quickly you need to cool your product, how long it must stay cold and how easy it should be to handle:
| Método de enfriamiento | Rango de temperatura | Duración típica | Ideal Application | Lo que significa para ti |
| Pellets de hielo seco | –78,5°C | 24–48 hours | Ultra cold shipping for vaccines and biotech samples; rapid cooling for cryogenic cleaning | Provides immediate flash freezing and precise temperature control but sublimates quickly; requires PPE and ventilation |
| Hojas de paquete de hielo seco | –40 °C to –60 °C | 36–72 horas | Frozen meat, mariscos, specialty foods and mid temperature biotech shipments | Offers gradual cooling and extended duration; reusable and easier to handle; reduces CO₂ exposure |
| Paquetes de gel | 0 °C to –20 °C | 12–24 hours | Perishable food and pharmaceuticals that require temperatures near freezing | Affordable and reusable but not cold enough for cryogenic goods |
| Materiales de cambio de fase (PCM) | Personalizable | 24–96 hours | Biopharma kits and diagnostics needing precise temperature bands | Maintain stable temperatures but require accurate selection of phase transition point |
Bandear deliver instant cooling. They are single use and can cause frostbite, so you need insulated gloves and goggles when handling them. Pellets usually last 24–48 hours depending on insulation and ambient temperature. Pack sheets are flexible panels that incorporate dry ice pellets inside durable pockets; they provide steady and extended cooling up to 72 hours, minimize exposure to CO₂ and can be refrozen and reused. They are ideal for products that need mid range cold (–20 °C to –60 °C) or shipments lasting longer than two days.
Practical Tips and Suggestions
Ultra cold shipping (–70 °C and below): Use pellet based packs with vacuum insulated shippers. Vaccines and biologics often require ultra cold conditions; combining dense pellets with high performance insulation can keep vaccines stable for 48 hours and reduce spoilage risk by 40 %.
Medium cold or extended transit: Choose pack sheets for frozen meat or specialty foods requiring –29 °C to –40 °C. They keep products frozen without liquid residue and can be reused for recurring shipments.
Enfriamiento híbrido: Combine pellets and pack sheets with phase change materials (PCM) to get rapid initial cooling and long term stability. A typical hybrid setup layers pellets at the bottom, pack sheets around the product and PCM on top; this can extend hold time by 25 % and reduce dry ice consumption by 18 %.
Real World Example: A biotech company shipping mRNA vaccines uses a hybrid system: 8 kg of dry ice pellets at the bottom of a 30 liter vacuum insulated shipper, two 24 cell dry ice sheets surrounding the vials and PCM packs on top. This configuration maintains temperatures below –70 °C for 60 hours and reduces dry ice usage by about 20 % compared with pellets alone.
How to Pack Cryogenic Dry Ice Packs Safely and Comply With Regulations?
Safety is paramount when working with cryogenic dry ice packs. Solid CO₂ poses three major hazards—asphyxiation, congelación, y explosion—if handled improperly. Proper packaging and labeling are also required by international regulations.
Key Safety Principles
Always handle dry ice in a well ventilated area and wear protective equipment. El hielo seco se sublima en gas co₂, which can displace oxygen and cause suffocation in confined spaces. Contact with cryogenic temperatures can cause severe skin burns; use insulated gloves, goggles and face shields. Dry ice has an expansion ratio of 1:554, so never seal it in an airtight container; pressure buildup can cause an explosion.
Embalaje & Requisitos de etiquetado
Regulatory agencies such as the Asociación Internacional de Transporte Aéreo (IATA) y el A NOSOTROS. Departamento de Transporte (PUNTO) classify dry ice as Material Peligroso because it releases CO₂ gas. The following guidelines ensure compliance and safety:
Use contenedores aislados: Always use a well insulated box or vacuum insulated shipper to slow sublimation and protect your product.
Pre condition Containers: Pre chill the container to reduce thermal shock. Pre conditioning can reduce sublimation by up to 15 De %.
Técnica de capas: Place dry ice at the bottom, agregar un búfer (cardboard or foam), then place your product and fill voids with cushioning material to prevent warm air pockets. Add additional pack sheets or pellets on top; cold air sinks and envelops the product.
Provide Ventilation: Do not seal dry ice in airtight packaging; ensure vents allow CO₂ gas to escape.
Label Correctly: Mark packages with “Dry Ice” or “Carbon Dioxide, Solid” and Y 1845 along with the net weight of dry ice. Affix a Class 9 hazardous materials label when shipping by air.
Respect Weight Limits: IATA regulations limit 2.5 kg of dry ice per package on passenger aircraft and up to 200 kg on cargo flights.
Capacitación: Only trained individuals should handle dry ice shipments. Keep emergency response information and a 24 hour contact number on shipping papers.
Step by Step Packing Process
The following procedure ensures safe and compliant packing of cryogenic dry ice packs:
Preparación: If using reusable pack sheets, hydrate them by soaking in water before freezing so the cells activate properly. Freeze sheets flat.
Pre chill: Place the insulated container in a freezer or pre chill with gel ice packs for several hours.
Capa inferior: Add the required amount of pellets or a pack sheet at the bottom of the container.
Buffer Layer: Place a cardboard or foam layer over the dry ice to prevent direct contact with your product and avoid freezer burn.
Colocación del producto: Load your items, filling voids with cushioning material like bubble wrap or foam inserts.
Capa superior: Add more pack sheets or pellets on top to maintain uniform temperature.
Ventilación & Cierre: Asegúrese de que el contenedor esté ventilado.; secure the lid without sealing it airtight.
Etiqueta & Documento: Attach hazard labels, note the weight of dry ice, and include emergency contact information.
| Safety Concern | Riesgo & Regulación | Implicación práctica |
| Asphyxiation | El CO₂ desplaza al oxígeno; handle in ventilated areas | Ventilation prevents suffocation; never work in enclosed spaces |
| Congelación | Contact hazard at –79 °C | Wear insulated gloves and goggles to prevent skin burns |
| Explosión | Gas expansion ratio of 1:554 | No selle hielo seco en recipientes herméticos; include vent holes |
| Regulatory weight limits | 2.5 kg per passenger flight; 200 kg per cargo flight | Plan shipments accordingly and choose cargo flights for large volumes |
| Etiquetado | Must display “Dry Ice,” UN 1845 and net weight | Ensure packages are correctly marked to avoid delays or fines |
Real World Example: A laboratory shipping genetic samples forgot to vent its cooler; as the dry ice sublimated, pressure built up and burst the lid during transport. A compliant packaging plan with vent holes, buffer layers and correct labeling would have prevented the incident.
How Many Cryogenic Dry Ice Packs Do You Need? Sizing Formulas and Practical Tips
Getting the amount right ensures your shipment stays frozen without waste. Too little dry ice leads to temperature spikes; too much adds cost and safety hazards. Use the following guidelines to calculate the correct quantity.
Sizing Formulas
Pellet Rule of Thumb: Allocate 5–10 kg of dry ice per 24 hour period per 100 liters of insulated volume. The exact amount depends on insulation quality and ambient conditions.
Pack Sheet Duration: A 24 cell dry ice sheet provides roughly 8–12 hours of cooling. Multiple sheets can extend hold time to 72 hours.
| Container Volume | Recommended Pellet Weight | Pack Sheet Quantity | Expected Hold Time |
| 10 L | 0.75–1 kg | 1 hoja | ≈ 12 hours |
| 20 L | 1.5–2,0 kg | 2 hojas | ≈ 24 hours |
| 30 L | 2.5–3.0 kg | 3–4 hojas | ≈ 36 hours |
| 40 L | 4.0–5,0 kg | 4–5 sheets | ≈ 48–72 hours |
Pre chilling reduces sublimation by up to 15 %. Always fill empty spaces with dunnage to minimize heat transfer. For shipments exceeding 72 hours, combine dry ice with PCM packs or choose specialized cryoshippers that can maintain ultra low temperatures for days.
Practical Tips for Sizing
Match Duration to Transit Time: Estimate how long your shipment will be in transit, including potential delays. Add a safety margin to avoid running out of cooling capacity.
Consider Insulation Quality: Un mejor aislamiento reduce la sublimación. Investing in high performance containers can cut dry ice usage and reduce costs.
Account for External Temperature: Summer shipments require more dry ice than winter shipments because external heat accelerates sublimation.
Use Hybrid Systems: For long haul shipments, combine dry ice with PCM to extend duration and reduce CO₂ consumption by around 18 %.
Create a Tool or Worksheet: An interactive calculator on your website lets customers input shipment volume, duration and insulation quality; it outputs recommended pellet weight and sheet count. This reduces guesswork and enhances user engagement.
Real World Example: A seafood exporter shipping 20 kg of frozen tuna overseas packs a 40 L insulated cooler with 5 kg of dry ice pellets, 4 pack sheets and vacuum insulated liners. The shipment arrives after 48 hours at –29 °C, Preservar textura y sabor, and uses 15 % less dry ice than past shipments by pre chilling the cooler and filling voids.
What Are the Latest Trends Shaping Cryogenic Dry Ice Packs in 2025?
The cryogenic dry ice pack industry is evolving rapidly in response to supply constraints, sustainability demands and technological innovation. Understanding these trends helps you make informed decisions and stay competitive.
Market Dynamics and Supply Pressures
Demand for dry ice is booming—global consumption is rising about 5 % per year while carbon dioxide supply grows only 0.5 De %, leading to periodic shortages and price spikes as high as 300 De %. The global dry ice market was valued at $1.54 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $2.73 billion by 2032 (7.4 % compound annual growth rate). Supply stress is prompting manufacturers to build localized production hubs and invest in on site CO₂ capture.
Formato & Performance Considerations
Choosing the right dry ice format is critical. Large blocks sublimate slowly and are ideal for bulk transport. Bandear provide rapid cooling but vaporize faster. Thin slices strike a balance, fitting neatly into packaging and reducing voids. Proper container design—using high performance insulation, pre conditioning and minimizing void space—reduces sublimation to 3–8 % per day. Mistakes such as leaving warm pockets or poor venting can compromise product integrity.
Sustainability Innovations
Sustainability is a core value in 2025. The global food cold chain accounts for about 2 % of global CO₂ emissions. To reduce the environmental impact of dry ice, industry players are adopting several innovations:
CO₂ Capture & Recovery: Capturing carbon dioxide from bioethanol fermentation or industrial processes creates renewable, circular sources of dry ice.
Reusable Pack Sheets: Durable dry ice sheets can be refrozen multiple times, lowering waste and cost.
Hybrid Packouts: Integrating PCMs and high performance insulation reduces CO₂ usage by 18 % and extends hold times.
Sensores inteligentes & Seguimiento de IoT: Real time monitoring of temperature and CO₂ levels helps fine tune cooling and minimize waste. According to industry analysis, real time tracking systems reduce spoilage and ensure regulatory compliance.
Biodegradable & Embalaje reciclable: Sustainable packaging solutions are gaining traction to minimize waste and meet environmental regulations.
Technological & Market Trends
Automatización & Robotics: Acerca de 80 % of warehouses lack automation. Automated storage and retrieval systems, robotics and AI are increasingly used in cold storage to improve efficiency and reduce labour costs.
End to End Visibility: Widespread adoption of IoT enabled devices provides real time insights into temperature, location and humidity. Real time tracking optimizes routes and reduces spoilage.
Modernizing Infrastructure: Upgrading insulation, refrigeration systems and energy efficiency is essential to reduce energy costs and meet sustainability goals.
Pharmaceutical Growth: Aproximadamente 20 % of new drugs are gene and cell therapies requiring close temperature control, and the pharmaceutical cold chain market is forecast to reach $1.454 billion by 2029.
Sustainable Logistics: Food cold chain logistics is projected to reach $86.67 billion in North America by 2025. Sustainable practices reduce food waste and align with consumer demands.
Practical Implications of Trends
Prepare for Volatility: Secure long term dry ice supply contracts or invest in localized pelletizer units to avoid price spikes.
Invest in Sustainability: Choose suppliers who capture CO₂ from renewable sources and adopt reusable pack sheets.
Embrace IoT: Incorporate smart monitoring sensors and track shipments to ensure compliance, minimize spoilage and provide transparency to customers.
Plan for Hybrid Cooling: Combine dry ice with PCM to reduce consumption and carbon footprint while maintaining reliability.
Real World Example: A pharmaceutical distributor implemented IoT enabled sensors in cryogenic shippers. The system monitored temperature and CO₂ levels every 10 minutes and alerted staff when sublimation accelerated. By adjusting pack sheet quantity in real time, they cut product excursions by 30 % and saved 18 % of dry ice consumption.
Preguntas frecuentes
Q1: Can cryogenic dry ice packs keep shipments below –70 °C for vaccines?
Sí. Pellets placed in vacuum insulated containers can maintain temperatures around –78.5 °C for 24–48 hours. Combine pellets with pack sheets and PCM in a hybrid packout to extend hold times to 60 hours or more.
Q2: Are cryogenic dry ice packs reusable?
Pellet packs are single use due to sublimation and contamination risk. Pack sheets, sin embargo, are designed for multiple uses; they encase pellets in durable pockets and can be refrozen and reused, reducing waste and cost.
Q3: What safety precautions should I take when handling cryogenic dry ice packs?
Always work in a well ventilated area, wear insulated gloves and goggles, and avoid airtight containers. Label packages with “Dry Ice,” UN 1845 and net weight, and respect IATA weight limits—2.5 kg for passenger flights and up to 200 kg for cargo.
Q4: How do cryogenic dry ice packs compare to gel packs or PCM?
Dry ice packs maintain much colder temperatures (–78.5 °C for pellets; –40 °C to –60 °C for sheets) and leave no liquid residue. Gel packs are suitable for 0 °C to –20 °C and are cheaper and reusable. PCM packs offer customizable temperature bands and longer duration but may not achieve ultra cold temperatures.
Q5: How do I calculate the right amount of dry ice for my shipment?
Use the rule of thumb of 5–10 kg of pellets per 24 hours per 100 liters of volume. For pack sheets, one 24 cell sheet provides about 8–12 hours de enfriamiento; scale up based on duration and container size. Pre chill the container and fill voids with dunnage to reduce sublimation by up to 15 %.
Resumen y recomendaciones
Cryogenic dry ice packs play a vital role in global cold chains. Pellet packs deliver rapid, ultra cold cooling at –78.5 °C and are ideal for vaccines, biologics and cryogenic cleaning. Pack sheets provide extended cooling at –40 °C to –60 °C, are reusable and safer to handle, making them suitable for food and mid temperature biotech shipments. Proper packing, labeling and ventilation are essential to avoid hazards such as asphyxiation, frostbite and explosions. Use sizing formulas—5–10 kg of dry ice per 24 hours per 100 L of volume—and pre condition containers to minimize sublimation. Embrace hybrid packouts with PCM to extend hold times and reduce CO₂ usage.
Pasos procesables
Assess Your Shipment: Identify temperature requirements (p.ej., –78.5 °C for vaccines or –20 °C for food) and transit duration.
Choose the Right Format: Use pellets for ultra cold or short transit; choose pack sheets for longer durations and reusable logistics.
Calculate Quantity: Apply the sizing formulas to determine how many packs you need; use an interactive calculator for accuracy.
Pack Safely: Pre chill containers, layer dry ice properly, provide ventilation and label packages with UN 1845 and net weight.
Monitor & Innovate: Incorporate IoT sensors to track temperature and CO₂ levels in real time. Explore reusable sheets, hybrid packouts and renewable CO₂ sources to meet sustainability goals.
Plan for the Future: Stay informed about market dynamics, price volatility and emerging technologies such as automation, AI and real time tracking to maintain competitiveness.
Acerca de Tempk
Templ is a global provider of cold chain packaging solutions. We specialize in eco friendly cryogenic packs, reusable ice sheets, insulated boxes and thermal bags designed to keep your products at their required temperature. Our research and development team continually innovates materials and pack formats to deliver longer hold times, reduce CO₂ usage and support sustainability goals. With a commitment to quality and compliance, we help you navigate complex regulations and ensure your shipments arrive safely and on time.
Siguiente paso: Contact our experts for personalized guidance on selecting the right cryogenic dry ice pack system for your shipments. Whether you’re transporting vaccines, seafood or biotech samples, we can design a solution tailored to your needs.
