Usando dry ice bricks dry ice packs is essential for maintaining ultra low temperatures during transport, but choosing the right form and applying proper handling can be tricky. The global dry ice market is projected to grow from Dólar estadounidense 1.66 mil millones en 2025 a USD 2.73 mil millones por 2032, and the cold chain packaging refrigerants market is expected to reach Dólar estadounidense 2.92 mil millones por 2032. This surge highlights the need for reliable cooling agents for vaccines, frozen foods and biological samples. You’ll learn the differences between dry ice bricks and packs, how to choose and use them safely, and what innovations are emerging in 2025.
Differences between dry ice bricks and dry ice packs – forms, cooling duration and when to choose each.
Best practices for packing and handling dry ice – how much dry ice to use and safety precautions.
Emerging trends and innovations in 2025 – reusable packs, smart sensors and hybrid systems.
Market insights and sustainability – growth drivers, supply constraints and eco friendly initiatives.
Preguntas frecuentes – practical answers on shipping duration, regulations and alternatives.
What Are Dry Ice Bricks and Dry Ice Packs, y por que importan?
Dry ice bricks and dry ice packs are both made from solid carbon dioxide (Co₂) eso Susilimaciones directly into gas without melting. This means no water residue, making them ideal for shipping frozen foods, pharmaceuticals and laboratory samples. Dry ice bricks are rigid blocks that sublimate slowly and provide long lasting cooling, mientras dry ice packs are flexible sheets, pellets or slices designed for faster cooling and easier placement. Because dry ice’s temperature is approximately −78,5°C (−109 °F), it offers three times the cooling efficiency of water ice. Choosing the right form keeps your products safe, reduces waste and helps you comply with shipping regulations.
Forms, Sizes and Cooling Mechanisms
Dry ice comes in different forms to match various logistics needs:
| Forma | Tamaño típico | Tasa de sublimación | Lo que significa para ti |
| Bloques | Grande, dense slabs | Lento (48–72 h in insulated boxes) | Ideal for long distance shipments; lower surface area means heat is absorbed slowly. |
| Bandear (arroz) | Small cylinders (~1/8–3/8 in.) | Rápido (12–24 H) | Provide precise cooling and fill gaps; often used in laboratories and dry ice blasting. |
| Slices/Nuggets | Medium sized pieces | Moderado | Fit tight spaces; useful for small packages or field kits. |
| Pre made packs | Enclosed pellets in vented packaging | Variable | Designed to release CO₂ gas slowly around products, keeping them cold without direct contact. |
Ladrillos de hielo secos are heavy and cumbersome to lift, but they maintain temperatures longer than pellets. Paquetes de hielo seco are easier to handle and can be arranged around irregular products, but they may need replacement sooner.
Practical User Tips and Advice
For long trips and heavy loads: Use dry ice bricks or large industrial packs. Their slow sublimation keeps cargo frozen for days.
For precision cooling or small packaging: Use pellets or slices to fill spaces and ensure even cooling.
Combine forms when necessary: Mixed shipments can combine bricks for frozen goods and gel packs for chilled items.
Caso real: A seafood exporter replaced water ice with small dry ice slices. By venting insulated boxes and placing packs correctly, la empresa reduced shipment weight by 30 % and kept fish fillets frozen for 48 hours without leakage.
Choosing Between Dry Ice Bricks and Dry Ice Packs: Factores a considerar
Selecting the right cooling agent depends on shipment duration, product requirements and customer experience. Ladrillos de hielo secos excel for long durations (48+ horas) y cargas pesadas; they maintain ultra cold temperatures below −70 °C and are essential for vaccines, frozen meat or biologic samples. Paquetes de hielo seco work well for shorter trips or smaller packages and are easier for customers to handle. Gel packs or phase change materials may be preferable when goods need to remain chilled rather than frozen.
Product Temperature Requirements
Different products have distinct temperature needs:
Bienes congelados (helado, mariscos, vacunas): require ultra cold conditions; dry ice sublimates at −78.5 °C ensuring these items stay frozen.
Artículos fríos (chocolates, medicines requiring 2–8 °C): gel packs or phase change materials are more suitable because they maintain temperatures above freezing.
Shipping Duration and Distance
Long distance shipments or routes through warm climates favour dry ice bricks, which last 48–72 hours. Local deliveries or same day shipments can rely on gel packs or smaller dry ice packs. Equal weight of dry ice and payload can keep items frozen for up to 48 horas, y 1.5× the weight may be needed for 72 horas.
Handling and Regulatory Compliance
Dry ice is classified as Y 1845 under hazardous materials by the Asociación Internacional de Transporte Aéreo (IATA) y los EE. UU.. Departamento de Transporte (PUNTO). Shipments exceeding 5 libras require labeling with “Dry Ice (Dióxido de carbono sólido) UN 1845” and weight declaration. Gel packs are not regulated and therefore easier for customers to handle.
Cost and Sustainability
Dry ice is perishable and must be replenished for each shipment. Gel packs are reusable and lower cost, but they cannot maintain ultra cold temperatures. Paquetes de hielo secos reutilizables, emerging in 2025, can be refilled with solid CO₂ multiple times and help businesses save up to 20 % on cooling costs while reducing plastic waste.
Customer Experience
Customers unfamiliar with dry ice may worry about frostbite or disposal. Provide clear instructions and protective equipment when sending dry ice shipments. For meal kits or consumer deliveries, consider a hybrid approach that uses dry ice for frozen components and gel packs for fresh produce.
Best Practices for Packing and Handling Dry Ice
Shipping with dry ice requires careful planning to ensure safety and compliance. Use the following guidelines to protect your products and your staff.
Calcular la cantidad correcta de hielo seco
General rule: Usar 1–2 lbs of dry ice for every 3–4 lbs of product.
24 hour flight: 15 lbs of dry ice can maintain −70 °C conditions for a 24 hour shipment.
Weight ratios: Half the weight of the payload in dry ice covers overnight shipments; equal weight is needed for 48 horas, y 1.5× weight may be required for 72 horas.
Packing and Insulation Tips
Pre condition containers: Chill boxes before adding dry ice to slow sublimation.
Capa correctamente: Place dry ice on top of the products so cold air sinks; use cardboard or cushioning to protect goods sensitive to extreme cold.
Vent packaging: Nunca selle los contenedores herméticamente; use styrofoam lined with cardboard to allow CO₂ gas to escape.
Minimise void space: Fill gaps with insulating materials (espuma, bandear) to prevent warm pockets.
Use robust outer packaging: Corrugated cardboard or heavy duty plastic boxes provide strength; avoid steel drums or sealed plastic containers.
Safety Precautions and Regulatory Considerations
Use equipo de protección: Use guantes aislados, goggles and closed toe shoes to avoid frostbite.
Asegurar la ventilación: One pound of dry ice releases about 250 litres of CO₂ gas; store and handle in well ventilated areas.
Label packages: Mark shipments with “Dry Ice (Dióxido de carbono sólido) UN 1845” and include net weight to comply with DOT/IATA rules.
Avoid incompatible materials: Metals, plastics or glass can crack at extreme cold; use containers rated for dry ice.
Train handlers and customers: Provide instructions for safe use and disposal; untrained staff may mishandle dry ice and risk frostbite or asphyxiation.
Desecho: Allow dry ice to sublimate in open space; never dump it in sinks or drains.
Caso real: A biotech lab packed 15 libras de hielo seco in pre chilled containers with ventilation holes for a 24 hour flight, logro −70 °C throughout transit without pressure buildup.
Errores comunes a evitar
Sealing containers completely – traps CO₂ and can cause explosions.
Underestimating dry ice quantity – leads to thawing; adjust for ambient temperature and travel time.
Contacting water – speeds up sublimation; keep dry ice dry.
Skipping training – untrained staff may neglect ventilation and protective gear.
Manejo seguro, Packaging and Disposal
In addition to the guidelines above, ensure your operation meets regulatory standards:
Regulatory classification: Dry ice is a Class 9 Material Peligroso (Y 1845); shipments require labeling and documentation.
Air transport restrictions: IATA limits dry ice to 200 kg per package on passenger aircraft.
Postal regulations: Los EE. UU.. Postal Service allows dry ice shipments domestically but restricts them to 5 lbs per package, whereas FedEx or UPS allow larger shipments with appropriate documentation.
Educate both staff and customers about safe handling. Provide printed guides inside packages that explain how to handle and dispose of dry ice responsibly. Encourage recipients to let dry ice sublimate outdoors or in ventilated areas.
How Reusable Dry Ice Packs and Smart Technology Are Transforming 2025 Logística de cadena de frío
The cold chain industry is rapidly evolving. Sustainability goals, supply constraints and technological advancements are reshaping how companies use dry ice. En 2025, paquetes de hielo secos reutilizables, sensores inteligentes, hybrid systems y improved insulation are key trends.
Paquetes de hielo secos reutilizables
Traditional dry ice packs are single use. Once dry ice sublimates, the packaging is discarded. New designs feature durable, insulated containers that can be refilled with solid CO₂. Reusable packs maintain −78.5 °C, prevent water damage and can be reused hundreds of times. Businesses using reusable packs report arriba a 20 % savings in cooling costs and reduced plastic waste. This helps meet corporate sustainability targets and reduces the environmental footprint of shipping.
Smart Sensors and Temperature Monitoring
Internet de las cosas (IoT) technology is revolutionising cold chain logistics. Smart dry ice packs integrate sensors that monitor internal temperature and send alerts when temperatures deviate from safe ranges. Some systems even replenish dry ice automatically when sensors detect warming. At the macro level, logistics providers operate control towers where artificial intelligence analyses temperature data, predicts potential excursions and recommends interventions. This proactive approach reduces spoilage and improves compliance.
Hybrid Systems and Improved Insulation
Hybrid cold chain systems combine dry ice with Materiales de cambio de fase (PCM) or gel packs. Los PCM absorben y liberan calor a temperaturas específicas (p.ej. 2–8 °C or −20 °C) and are reusable. Dry ice provides ultra cold conditions, while PCMs maintain chilled zones. Hybrid packaging allows multi temperature shipments, ideal for mixed cargo like frozen meat and fresh vegetables. Paneles de aislamiento al vacío (VIP) also improve cold retention, allowing companies to use less dry ice while maintaining required temperatures.
Market Dynamics and Sustainability
Demand for dry ice is growing across sectors, but CO₂ supply is constrained. The global dry ice market is projected to grow from USD 1.66 mil millones en 2025 a USD 2.73 mil millones por 2032, while demand for cold chain packaging refrigerants will reach Dólar estadounidense 2.92 mil millones por 2032. Sin embargo, supply grows only about 0.5 % por año, causing periodic shortages and price spikes of up to 300 %. Companies therefore invest in reusable packs, efficient insulation and alternative coolants to reduce their reliance on single use dry ice.
Environmental pressure is another driver. Much of the CO₂ used for dry ice comes from fossil fuel processes. Manufacturers are exploring bio based CO₂ captured from ethanol plants to create more sustainable dry ice. Biodegradable coatings on packs and recyclable materials also reduce environmental impact.
Últimos avances de un vistazo
Reusable dry ice packs: Durable containers refillable with solid CO₂, saving costs and waste.
Sensores inteligentes: Integrated IoT devices monitor temperature and automatically replenish dry ice when needed.
Hybrid solutions: Combining dry ice with PCMs or gel packs for multi temperature shipping.
Paneles de aislamiento al vacío: VIPs reduce heat transfer and allow less dry ice while maintaining cold.
Bio based CO₂ and sustainability: Capturing CO₂ from bio ethanol plants and using biodegradable materials to lower carbon footprint.
Market Insights and Sector Dynamics
Dry Ice Market Outlook
El global dry ice market was valued at Dólar estadounidense 1.54 mil millones en 2024, and it is projected to grow to Dólar estadounidense 1.66 mil millones en 2025 y Dólar estadounidense 2.73 mil millones por 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (Tocón) de 7.4 %. Asia Pacific held a 32.47 % share in 2024, driven by cold chain logistics growth and rising demand for frozen foods and pharmaceuticals. Demand is also strong in North America, where dry ice is used in food processing, vaccine storage and dry ice blasting.
The COVID 19 pandemic highlighted the importance of dry ice in vaccine distribution. The Pfizer BioNTech vaccine required ultra cold temperatures, causing temporary shortages and price volatility. As new vaccines and advanced therapies emerge, the need for reliable cryogenic cooling agents will persist.
Cold Chain Packaging Refrigerants Market
El cold chain packaging refrigerants market (which includes gel packs, foam bricks and other refrigerants) era Dólar estadounidense 1.57 mil millones en 2024 and is projected to reach USD 1.69 mil millones en 2025 y Dólar estadounidense 2.92 mil millones por 2032, with a CAGR of 8.14 %. Europe led the market with a 31.85 % share in 2024. Growth is driven by the pharmaceutical sector’s need for temperature controlled packaging to protect sensitive products.
Product innovation and sustainable refrigerant materials are key. Companies offer gel packs made from puncture resistant nylon laminate and other durable materials. These innovations reduce operational costs and meet regulatory requirements for packaging integrity.
Restraining Factors and Opportunities
Volatile CO₂ supply and pricing can constrain growth. CO₂ availability depends on industrial processes like ethanol and natural gas production; fluctuations lead to supply shortages and price spikes. Geopolitical factors and export restrictions can also disrupt supply chains. To mitigate risk, companies diversify CO₂ sources, explore bio based capture and invest in energy efficient insulation.
Preguntas frecuentes
Pregunta 1: What is the difference between dry ice bricks and dry ice packs?
Dry ice bricks are large, rigid blocks that sublimate slowly and provide long lasting cooling (48–72 horas). Dry ice packs consist of pellets or slices enclosed in vented packaging; they cool faster (12–24 horas) and are easier to position around products. Choose bricks for long journeys and packs for shorter trips or small spaces.
Pregunta 2: ¿Cuánto hielo seco necesito para el envío??
Usar 1–2 lbs of dry ice per 3–4 lbs of product. For a 24 hour shipment, alrededor 15 libras of dry ice maintains −70 °C. Equal weight of dry ice and payload keeps items frozen for 48 horas, y 1.5× the weight covers 72 horas.
Pregunta 3: Are there regulations for shipping dry ice?
Sí. Dry ice is classified as Y 1845; shipments must be labeled “Dry Ice (Dióxido de carbono sólido) UN 1845” and include net weight. IATA restricts dry ice to 200 kg per package on passenger aircraft. Los EE. UU.. Postal Service allows shipments of 5 lbs or less.
Pregunta 4: What are the latest innovations in dry ice shipping for 2025?
Reusable dry ice packs, IoT enabled sensors, hybrid systems combining dry ice with phase change materials, and vacuum insulation panels are transforming cold chain logistics. These innovations reduce costs, improve temperature stability and support sustainability goals.
Pregunta 5: Can I combine dry ice with gel packs?
Sí. Hybrid packaging uses dry ice to keep frozen goods ultra cold while gel packs or PCMs maintain chilled zones. This approach is ideal for mixed shipments, such as meal kits with frozen proteins and fresh produce.
Pregunta 6: How long does dry ice last in shipping?
El hielo seco generalmente dura 18–72 horas, depending on the form, cantidad, insulation and ambient temperature. Los bloques duran más que los pellets; more insulation and larger amounts of dry ice extend duration.
Pregunta 7: Is dry ice environmentally friendly?
Dry ice itself is CO₂ that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. Sin embargo, supply often comes from fossil fuel processes. Manufacturers are exploring bio based CO₂ capture and reusable packs to reduce carbon footprint. By adopting reusable packs and efficient insulation, you can reduce waste and energy use.
Resumen y recomendaciones
Control de llave: Dry ice bricks and dry ice packs are critical tools in cold chain logistics. Bricks provide long lasting cooling, mientras packs offer flexibility. Proper calculation of quantity, vented packaging and safety training ensure safe and compliant shipments. 2025 innovations – reusable packs, sensores inteligentes, hybrid systems and VIPs – improve efficiency and sustainability. The global market for dry ice and cold chain refrigerants continues to grow, but supply constraints and environmental concerns require proactive strategies.
Siguientes pasos:
Assess your product temperature requirements: Determine if your goods need frozen (−70 °C) o refrigerado (2–8 ° C) conditions and choose dry ice bricks, packs or hybrid solutions accordingly.
Calculate dry ice quantity: Use 1–2 lbs per 3–4 lbs of product; adjust based on duration and ambient temperature.
Implement safe packing and labeling: Use vented, contenedores aislados, wear protective gear, and label packages “Dry Ice (Dióxido de carbono sólido) UN 1845” with net weight.
Explorar 2025 innovación: Invest in reusable dry ice packs, smart sensors and VIPs to reduce costs and environmental impact.
Train staff and inform customers: Provide clear instructions for handling, ventilation and disposal to prevent accidents and improve customer satisfaction.
Acerca de Tempk
Somos Templ, a leading provider of cold chain solutions. Nuestra cartera incluye ladrillos de hielo seco, paquetes de hielo seco and innovative insulated containers that maintain ultra low temperatures. Con R&D facilities y quality certifications, we continually develop eco friendly and reusable products that help clients reduce costs and meet sustainability goals. Whether you ship vaccines, seafood or gourmet meal kits, we can tailor a cooling solution that fits your needs.
Llamado a la acción: Listo para optimizar su cadena de frío? Contact our experts at Tempk for customised guidance on selecting the right dry ice bricks or dry ice packs. Our team can help you calculate quantities, design packaging and implement the latest technology. Reach out today and safeguard your shipments with confidence.
