Shipping vaccines, biologics or frozen foods requires more than an ordinary ice pack; you need ultra low temperatures that stay consistent for days. Ahí es donde el large dry ice pack sheet comes in. These flexible blankets are filled with solid carbon dioxide and can wrap around irregular shapes, keeping goods at about –78.5 °C (–109.3 °F) a hasta 72 horas. Unlike gel packs that melt and leave water behind, dry ice sheets sublimate directly from solid to gas, so they leave no residue, are lighter than water based ice and last longer. Esta guía explica cómo funcionan estas hojas., how to size them, consejos de seguridad, 2025 industry trends, and why switching to a large dry ice pack sheet could be a game changer for your cold chain operations.
What exactly is a large dry ice pack sheet and how does it differ from gel packs?
How do you size a dry ice sheet for different shipment durations and payload weights?
What safety precautions and regulatory requirements apply when handling dry ice?
How are 2025 cold chain trends, such as IoT monitoring and sustainability, shaping dry ice packaging?
Practical tips and real world examples that help you choose the right sheet and apply it effectively.
What is a large dry ice pack sheet and why is it different from regular ice packs?
A large dry ice pack sheet is a flexible blanket made from multiple pockets of dióxido de carbono sólido (Co₂) or an ultra cold phase change material. Each pocket is a super absorbent polymer cell that is hydrated before freezing, forming a matrix that traps the CO₂. Cuando se congele, the sheet becomes rigid enough to wrap around irregular shapes yet is still thin enough to slot into tight spaces. Dry ice sublimates at roughly –78.5 °C (–109.3 °F), meaning it moves directly from solid to gas without melting. Because there’s no water involved, capas de hielo seco leave no liquid residue y stay colder much longer than standard ice packs.
Gel packs and phase change materials (PCM) operate at much higher temperatures (0 °C a 5 °C for gel packs and around –20 °C for some PCMs) and typically last only 6–12 horas. En contraste, rapid freeze dry ice sheets maintain ultra cold temperatures for up to 72 horas. Gel packs melt into water, risking package damage or contamination, while dry ice sheets sublimate into carbon dioxide gas and avoid moisture. This makes large dry ice sheets ideal for shipping products that must remain below freezing, como las vacunas, biologics and frozen seafood.
How does sublimation deliver ultra low temperatures?
Dry ice absorbs heat when it sublimates; this endothermic reaction draws approximately 571 kilojoules of heat per kilogram de hielo seco. In practical terms, the sheet acts like a cold blanket: as the CO₂ pockets convert to gas, they pull heat away from the product, maintaining a uniform low temperature. Because the sheets wrap around the cargo, ellos reduce warm corners and dead air space. By comparison, dry ice pellets can shift around or blow out of containers when poured, causing uneven cooling and posing handling hazards.
| Característica | Large dry ice pack sheets | Traditional gel packs | Lo que esto significa para ti |
| Rango de temperatura | ~–78.5 °C (–109.3 °F) | 0 °C a 4 °C | Dry ice sheets enable ultra cold shipments; gel packs are only for chilled goods |
| Duración del enfriamiento | Arriba a 72 horas | 6–12 horas | Dry ice reduces the need for extra refrigerant or frequent replenishment |
| Residuo | Ninguno (sublimate al gas) | Agua (se derrite) | No risk of soggy packaging or product damage |
| Reutilizabilidad | De un solo uso | Often reusable | Dry ice costs more per trip but delivers ultra cold temperatures |
| Best use cases | Productos farmacéuticos, biológicos, alimentos congelados | Chilled foods and beverages | Choose dry ice for goods that must remain below freezing |
Practical benefits for your operation
Space efficient and flexible: Large dry ice sheets can conform to irregular shapes, maximizing contact and reducing unused space.
Lightweight handling: Because dry ice is less dense than water based ice, sheets weigh less and reduce shipping costs.
No hay lío: Sublimation prevents meltwater from damaging packaging, labels or goods.
Consistent cold: Uniform contact reduces temperature gradients, ensuring sensitive products stay within their required temperature band.
Real world example: A biotech company shipped mRNA vaccines using flexible dry ice sheets that wrapped around each vial, maintaining –75 °C for 72 horas despite outside temperatures of 25 °C. Because the sheets sublimated rather than melted, the vials arrived dry and uncontaminated, preserving vaccine potency.
How do you size and apply a large dry ice pack sheet?
When choosing a large dry ice sheet, sizing matters: thickness and weight determine how long your shipment remains ultra cold. The general rule is to match the weight of dry ice to the weight of your product, though for longer journeys you may need up to 2 kg of dry ice per kilogram of payload.
Guidelines for sheet thickness and duration
Dry ice sheets come in different thicknesses (p.ej., 12 milímetros, 18 milímetros, 24 milímetros), each suited for specific transit times. Use this table as a guideline:
| Transit duration | Recommended sheet thickness | Aproximadamente. dry ice weight per kg of product | Significado |
| Arriba a 24 horas | 12 mm sheet | 1 kg dry ice per 1 kg product | Ideal for overnight shipments; keeps goods below –20 °C for one day |
| 24–48 horas | 18 mm sheet or two 12 mm layers | 1–1.5 kg dry ice per kg product | Suitable for two day deliveries; layering provides redundant cooling |
| 48–72 horas | 24 mm sheet or three 12 mm sheets | 2 kg dry ice per kg product | Essential for extended transit; supports –75 °C for three days |
Preparing and applying the sheet
Hydrate and freeze the sheet: If your dry ice sheet uses super absorbent polymer cells, soak it in water until the cells are fully hydrated before freezing. This creates a network of pockets that evenly encapsulate CO₂.
Pre cool your cargo and container: Refrigerate the product and insulated box before adding dry ice. Pre cooling prevents the sheet from wasting energy on cooling the container itself.
Capa estratégicamente: Para la máxima eficiencia, usar el “dry ice sandwich” method—place a sheet at the bottom, the product in the middle, and another sheet on top. For irregular shapes, wrap the sheet completely around the cargo to ensure uniform contact.
Allow ventilation: El hielo seco libera gas CO₂ al sublimarse. Always choose vented containers or drill vent holes to prevent pressure build up.
Avoid direct contact with products: Use dividers or dunnage to separate the sheet from the cargo when shipping glass vials or delicate items.
Estudio de caso: A seafood exporter shipping frozen fish across continents used a 24 mm dry ice sheet with a full wrap. By matching the weight of dry ice to the fish (1:1 ratio) and using vacuum insulated panels, they maintained –40 °C for 60 horas. The flexible sheet conformed to the fish’s shape, preventing temperature spikes and condensation.
Safety and regulatory considerations
Dry ice is incredibly cold, so proper handling is essential:
Use equipo de protección: Always use insulated gloves and safety goggles to avoid frostbite. Never handle dry ice with bare hands.
Use tongs or tools: Avoid direct skin contact and protect surfaces from freezing damage.
Ventilate during storage and disposal: Mientras el hielo seco se sublima, libera co₂ gas. Store and dispose of sheets in well ventilated areas to prevent gas build up.
Educate end users: If your shipment will be handled by consumers, label the package clearly to warn about dry ice and provide instructions for safe disposal.
Cumplimiento regulatorio: El hielo seco se clasifica como un Clase 9 Material Peligroso under UN 1845. Packages must display the proper shipping name, UN number and net weight on the same side as the hazard label. En los Estados Unidos, envíos que contengan más de 5.5 libras (2.5 kilos) of dry ice must comply with Title 49 CFR regulations. Always check International Air Transport Association (IATA) guidelines for air shipments.
Consejos de manejo
Never store in airtight containers: Gas build up can cause an explosion.
Do not place in sinks or toilets: The extreme cold may damage plumbing.
Dispose properly: Allow leftover dry ice to sublimate in a safe, ventilated location. Keep away from children and pets.
When should you choose a large dry ice pack sheet over blocks or gel packs?
Choosing between dry ice blocks, bandear, and large sheets depends on your shipment’s duration, size and handling requirements. A comprehensive 2025 guide compares these options.
Dry ice blocks
Ventajas: Extended cooling duration due to larger mass; suitable for long haul shipments; can be cut into custom sizes.
Contras: Heavy and bulky; harder to handle; require more storage space.
Mejor para: Multi day shipments of large payloads (p.ej., pallets of frozen food or bulk medical supplies).
Dry ice pack sheets
Ventajas: Space efficient and flexible; lightweight and easy to handle; pre measured sizes simplify packing.
Contras: Duración de enfriamiento más corta (24–72 horas) due to smaller mass; must be sealed properly to avoid moisture release.
Mejor para: Next day or short haul shipments, small biotech samples, meal kits and irregularly shaped items.
Gel packs and PCMs
Ventajas: Ideal for chilled goods at 0 °C a 5 °C; reutilizable; no peligroso.
Contras: Cannot achieve ultra cold temperatures; produce meltwater that can damage packaging.
Mejor para: Productos frescos, pharmaceuticals requiring 2 °C–8 °C, and shipments that must not freeze.
Decision criteria
Consider the duración, payload size, temperature requirement y handling capacity. If you need sustained ultra cold conditions for 24–72 hours and want flexible packaging, choose a large dry ice sheet. For longer shipments or very large loads, blocks may be more economical, while gel packs handle chilled goods.
El último 2025 trends shaping dry ice packaging
Market growth and drivers
The cold chain packaging market is booming as more products require temperature controlled transit. Mordor Intelligence reports that the market size reached USD 32.29 mil millones en 2025 and is projected to grow to USD 48.93 mil millones por 2030, expanding at an 8.67% compound annual growth rate (Tocón). Growth drivers include:
Rising biologics and cell/gene therapy logistics: Casi la mitad de los nuevos productos farmacéuticos requieren control de temperatura, and many advanced therapies demand cryogenic conditions.
E commerce grocery expansion: Online grocery and meal kit delivery increase demand for lightweight, space efficient insulation.
Global vaccine programmes: Organizations like Gavi and WHO are standardizing performance baselines for vaccine transport, pushing suppliers to design rugged, rapidly deployable solutions.
Regulations and IoT monitoring: A NOSOTROS. FDA 21 CFR 600.15 and European packaging regulations require validated temperature controlled packaging and encourage real time monitoring.
Sostenibilidad: ESG targets are accelerating adoption of reusable and bio based materials.
Technological innovations
Smart sensors and IoT: Many dry ice containers now integrate sensors that track temperature, humedad y ubicación, providing real time alerts if thresholds are breached. This data helps optimize pack configurations based on weather and route conditions.
AI driven packing algorithms: Companies such as HelloFresh employ AI to adjust pack configurations for meal kits, automatically selecting the number and type of sheets needed based on external conditions.
Materiales sostenibles: Los fabricantes están experimentando con aislamiento biodegradable y recyclable liners to complement dry ice, Reducción de desechos plásticos.
Reusable passive shippers: Passive systems with reusable shells and replaceable dry ice cartridges reduce waste while delivering high performance. These systems often pair dry ice with vacuum insulated panels for extended duration.
Market trends summary
| Tendencia | Descripción | Practical impact |
| Boom in biologics logistics | Higher volumes of temperature sensitive biologics require ultra cold packaging solutions | Drives demand for dry ice sheets and cryogenic shippers |
| E commerce grocery surge | Meal kits and frozen foods delivered direct to consumers need space efficient refrigeration | Increases adoption of flexible dry ice sheets for last mile deliveries |
| Global vaccine initiatives | Standardized performance baselines and rugged designs for remote clinics | Emphasizes reliability and extended duration of dry ice sheets |
| Presión regulatoria | Stricter FDA and EU regulations demand validated, traceable packaging | Encourages use of smart sensors and compliance labeling |
| Sustainability and ESG | Companies shift toward reusable and bio based packaging | Sparks innovation in recyclable liners and hybrid systems |
Preguntas frecuentes
Q1: Why choose a large dry ice pack sheet instead of smaller sheets or pellets?
Large sheets provide better surface contact and reduce air gaps, leading to more uniform cooling and fewer hotspots. They are easier to handle than loose pellets, which can blow away during packing or cause uneven distribution.
Q2: How much dry ice should I use for a 10 kg shipment?
Como guía general, use roughly the same weight of dry ice as your product. Por un 10 kg payload, empezar con 10 kg of dry ice in sheet form. For shipments exceeding 48 horas, consider increasing to 15 kg and layering multiple sheets.
Q3: Can dry ice damage my products?
Dry ice is extremely cold and can freeze items that are not designed to withstand sub zero temperatures. Never ship live seafood, flowers or products sensitive to freezing with dry ice. Always use dividers or insulation between dry ice and fragile products.
Q4: Are dry ice sheets reusable?
No. Dry ice sublimates completely and cannot be reused. Some packages combine reusable shells with replaceable dry ice cartridges for sustainability, but the dry ice itself is single use.
Q5: How do I dispose of a dry ice sheet?
Place leftover dry ice in a well ventilated area and allow it to sublimate. Do not dispose of it in sinks, toilets or sealed containers.
Resumen y recomendaciones
Large dry ice pack sheets are transforming cold chain logistics. They deliver ultra low temperatures (≈ –78.5 °C) a hasta 72 hours without leaving any residue, making them ideal for vaccines, biológicos, frozen foods and other high value products. Unlike gel packs that melt into water or dry ice blocks that are heavy and bulky, these flexible sheets wrap around products, reducing wasted space and providing uniform cooling. Sizing matters—match the weight of dry ice to your product and select the appropriate thickness based on transit duration. Always handle dry ice with protective gear and ensure proper ventilation. With market growth driven by biologics logistics, e commerce grocery expansion and stringent regulations, now is the time to adopt innovative dry ice solutions.
Próximos pasos viables
Assess your cold chain needs: Determine whether your shipments require ultra cold temperatures or simply chilled conditions. If you’re shipping vaccines, biologics or frozen foods, large dry ice pack sheets are likely your best option.
Calculate the required sheet size: Usar el 1:1 ratio of dry ice weight to product weight as a starting point and adjust based on transit time. Refer to the thickness and duration table for guidance.
Entrena a tu equipo: Ensure that staff understand safe handling practices, proper labeling and regulatory requirements. Provide insulated gloves, goggles and tongs, and emphasize ventilation.
Invest in smart packaging: Consider adding IoT sensors to monitor temperature and track shipments in real time. Data driven insights can optimize sheet usage and reduce waste.
Plan for sustainability: Explore reusable containers with dry ice cartridges and recyclable insulation materials. Align with ESG goals by minimizing plastic waste.
Siguiendo estos pasos, you can leverage the power of large dry ice pack sheets to ensure that your temperature sensitive products arrive safely and maintain their value.
Acerca de Tempk
Tempk is a specialist in cold chain packaging solutions. We design and manufacture dry ice pack sheets, bolsas aisladas, phase change materials and medical coolers that help businesses maintain product quality during transit. Our research and development team continuously innovates to deliver ligero, high performance and eco friendly materials. Si está enviando vacunas, gourmet meals or biologics, we work closely with you to design tailored solutions that meet regulatory standards and sustainability objectives. Contact us for personalized advice on optimizing your cold chain logistics.
